Frequently Asked Questions About:

Schedules
Transit Times

  • What are your transit times?

    Transit times are approximate and are subject to change due to port rotation revisions and weather conditions.

    Southeast Alaska
    Seattle to Ketchikan: 4 days
    Seattle to Petersburg: 5 days
    Seattle to Juneau: 5 days
    Seattle to Sitka: 5 days
    Seattle to Wrangell: 5 days
    Seattle to Thorne Bay: 5 days
    Seattle to Craig/Klawock: 5 days
    Seattle to Metlakatla: 6 days

    Central Alaska
    Seattle to Anchorage: 10 days
    Seattle to Fairbanks: 12 days

    Western Alaska
    These transit times vary due to the weather and changes in port rotation. Be sure to contact our Customer Service Department at (800) 426-3113 for current arrival dates.

    Hawaii
    Seattle to Honolulu: 14 days


Terminal Locations/Receiving Hours

  • What address do I send my shipment to in Seattle?

    Terminal 115, 6700 West Marginal Way Southwest, Seattle, WA 98106

    What hours are you open for receiving cargo in Seattle?

    Monday through Friday 7:00AM to 5:30PM. After-hours receiving is available. Contact Customer Service for evening receiving hours.

    What address do I send my shipment to in Anchorage?

    660 Western Drive, Anchorage, AK 99501

    What hours are you open for receiving cargo in Anchorage?

    Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Where are your other locations and what are the receiving hours?

    Please follow this link for a list of terminal locations.


Making a Booking

  • How much lead time do I need to make a booking?

    Approximately 7 days prior to the sailing is optimum for Western Alaska and Hawaii shipments, 4 days prior to sailing for Central Alaska, and 2 days prior to sailing for Southeast Alaska. Bookings are recommended, but not required. If a booking is not made in advance and space is available, we will accept your shipment.

    Should I make a booking for my shipment even though it is only a few boxes?

    Making a booking is not necessary for only a few boxes as long as you can provide the following information at time of receiving at our terminal: Name, address and phone number of the recipient of the cargo at final destination and name, address and phone number of party paying the freight charges. In some cases payment may be required prior to shipment. Request a booking.


Paperwork Preparation

  • What kind of documentation do I need to ship my cargo?

    When delivering your cargo to us for shipment, you need to fill out and sign a Northland Services Bill of Lading. The Bill of Lading is a contract between the carrier (NSI/ACT) and the shipper (customer) and should be properly completed. (Click here to view instructions for completing a Bill of Lading). Please provide us with the following information:

    • Name, address and telephone number of both the shipper and the consignee.
    • Port of Origin and Port of Destination.
    • Number of packages/pieces, accurate description, weight and measurements of the goods being shipped.
    • Payment: Indicate how the freight charges are to be paid — Prepaid (pay at the time of delivery to the port of origin, or Collect (pay at the time of pick up at the port of destination.
    • Hazardous cargo needs to be described and declared.
    • Shipper's Signature.

    Bills of Lading are available online or at the receiving desk at time of delivery. Follow this link.


Payment and Credit Information

  • How do I pay for my shipment?

    Prepaid Freight: Individuals who have not established credit must pay prior to shipment. All shipments of household goods must be prepaid. With the exception of Southeast and Central Alaska, personal automobiles and boats must also be prepaid. This can be done at the time you drop your cargo off at the origin terminal in the form of cash, check, wire transfer, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express). Credit card transactions may be handled via telephone authorization, once the actual weights and dimensions of the cargo are confirmed by the receiving staff.

    Freight Collect: For shipments other than those indicated above as prepaid freight, you may ship your cargo freight collect. This means the consignee at the port of discharge must pay the freight charges prior to the release of the cargo at its destination.

    Charge/Third Party Billing: Once you have established credit with Northland, freight charges will be billed to you according to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

    How do we establish credit?

    Print and complete the Credit Application Form and fax it to 206-767-5579 or mail it to the following address:

    Northland Services, Inc
    P.O. Box 24527
    Seattle, WA 98124

    You will be notified by our Credit Department when credit is approved. First time shipments are not typically made on a credit account basis.


Receiving and Shipping from Overnight Carriers

  • If I am shipping to you via Express Mail, UPS, FedEx, or DHL, how should I have the package marked so they know it is for me?

    If you are having a package sent via an express mail or overland carrier, please be sure that it is clearly marked with both Northland's address and marked to the attention of the consignee with their phone number. For example:

    Northland Services, Inc.
    Attn: John Doe/Sitka, AK 907-555-5555
    Northland Booking # (if known)
    Terminal 115, 6700 W. Marginal Way
    Seattle, WA 98106

Arrival Information

  • How will I know when my shipment has arrived at its destination?

    Once your shipment has arrived at its destination, you will be notified by someone at the terminal about any charges due and the need to arrange for delivery or pickup. You may also check our website for the status of the voyage on which your cargo is sailing and contact the destination terminal to make arrangements in advance.

    View Voyage Status
    View Terminal Locations


Packaging Requirements

  • How do I package my shipment?

    Your cargo is transported on an open deck barge. You are responsible to sufficiently pack or prepare goods to withstand the normal rigors of barge transportation. View packaging requirements.


Cargo Legal Liability Coverage

  • Do I need to purchase cargo insurance?

    NSI/ACT provides extended cargo liability to cover losses or damages to cargo. If you have any questions about our coverage, please refer to rule #573 in our Governing Rules Tariff, or contact Customer Service.


Shipping Your Household Goods

  • Are my household goods covered by Northland's cargo legal liability policy?

    Household goods are covered while in NSI/ACT possession up to a value of sixty cents ($.60) per pound.

    Can I get more coverage on my Household Goods?

    Yes. You can make an "Increased Valuation Declaration" which means that NSI/ACT agrees to extend coverage up to the value you declare. There is a 2% surcharge calculated against the total value of the shipment that will be added to your freight bill.

    Does NSI/ACT cover damage to my Household Goods if my moving company or I load them into the shipping container?

    No. NSI/ACT does not cover shipper loaded Household Goods for transit related damage.

    Will NSI/ACT help prepare my Household Goods for shipment?

    No. It is your responsibility to prepare and protect your cargo for ocean shipment.


Shipping Your Auto

  • What do I need to know about shipping my auto?

    • With the exception of Southeast and Central Alaska, all auto shipments must be prepaid in full, unless credit has been established in writing with NSI/ACT.
    • The auto needs to be delivered to us with less than ¼ tank of fuel. This is a U.S. Coast Guard regulation. If the auto contains more than a ¼ tank of fuel, there will be a fuel drainage fee added to your freight bill.
    • You may ship personal effects inside your auto, except for autos shipping to Hawaii. Remember that personal effects are only accepted at a release valuation of $.60 cents per pound. The weight of the personal effects must be noted on the bill of lading for this coverage to apply. Personal effects are not permitted in the front seat or on the floor behind the driver's seat, and must not obstruct visibility through the windows. 360-degree visibility is required. Personal effects are not permitted on roof or racks unless loaded to a car-top carrier designed specifically for such use. In Hawaii, we have limitations imposed by other entities and must comply with more stringent requirements.
    • The following items may not be shipped in your auto: hazardous materials, items of extraordinary value, goods shipped for sale or speculation, or firearms.
    • If the auto is inoperable, there will be an additional charge at origin and destination for loading and off-loading the vehicle.
    • NSI/ACT staff will inspect your auto. Any scratches, dents, chips, tears, broken pieces, etc will be noted on the inspection form. Please be prepared to wait while we inspect your auto. You will be given a copy of the inspection report for your records.

Shipping Your Boat

  • What do I need to know about shipping my boat?

    • The shipper must provide the necessary skids, cradles, chocks or trailer necessary to insure safe handling of the boat. Download boat cradle specifications.
    • Sailboats must have the masts dismounted and securely fastened to the deck. The masts must not project beyond the ends or sides of the boat.
    • Personal effects and other items, other then factory installed equipment, stowed inside boats, will be accepted at a released valuation of $0.60 cents per pound. The weight of your Household Goods must be noted on the bill of lading for this coverage to apply.
    • NSI/ACT staff will inspect your boat. Any scratches, dents, chips, tears, broken pieces, etc will be noted on the inspection form. Please be prepared to wait while we inspect your boat. You will be given a copy of the inspection report for your records.

    For more information, view forms for shipping boats.

    Can I deliver my boat by water in Seattle?

    Yes, NSI/ACT is fully equipped to pick your boat out of the water.

    Is there an additional charge to pick my boat out of the water in Seattle?

    Please contact our Customer Service Department for a quote at (800) 426-3113.

    Are there additional charges to put my boat in the water at it's destination?

    Please contact our Customer Service Department for a quote at (800) 426-3113.


Container Dimensions
Special Requirements