USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)

United States Department of Agriculture
Foreign Agricultural Service

U.S. Exporter Assistance

Shipping

The Transportation Services Branch (TSB) of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of USDA informs, represents, and assists agricultural shippers. Their activities include:

Market reports (Ocean Rate Bulletin, database of ocean freight costs)
Directory of Freight Forwarders Serving Agricultural Shippers
Regulatory representation
Economic analysis and reports
Technical assistance and handbooks
Outreach
Responding to inquiries

All information is available at AMS Agricultural Transportation

Key Publications and Resources

A Business of Details (.pdf)
Agricultural Export Transportation Handbook - Covers price quotation, freight forwarding, ocean and air transportation, transport documentation, methods of payment, insurance, maintaining product quality during transportation and more.
Directory of Freight Forwarders Serving Agricultural Shippers (New and improved searchable database!)

Contact Us
Contact the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service | email us at exportassist@fas.usda.gov