Friend in America

FAQ

Q) What is Friend in America.com?

Q) What are the main benefits for foreign buyers?

Q) What makes you different from other purchasing and shipping services?

Q) Why should I use your Buying Office service rather than purchasing directly from my own suppliers in North America?

Q) How much do you charge for your service?

Q) How do I get started?

Q) How much does it cost to have permanent shipping & mailing address in the United States?

Q) How does your “Drop Shipment” service work?

Q) What if I already buy direct from the United States, can I still use your shipping/ consolidation discount service?

Q) What if the American Web Site I visit does not accept credit card payments from my country?

Q) What forms of payment do you accept other that credit cards?

Q) What if I want to buy a product from a Web Site that does not ship outside of the United States and Canada?

Q) What if I want to purchase from an eBay’s auctioneer in the U.S.?

Q) How long until I receive my consolidated orders from multiple suppliers?

Q) How can I check the status of my shipment(s)?

Q) How do you charge freight?

Q) Where will I pickup or receive my order?

Q) What kind of fees do I have to pay upon receipt of my order(s)?

Q) Can you send me an estimate including cost of goods, freight and insurance as well as Duty and V.A.T. taxes?

Q) How can I calculate my door-to-door shipping rates?

Q) Are your shipping rates including packaging & handling fees?

Q) How do I know how much money I saved by using your shipping consolidation service versus shipping direct from my supplier(s)?

Q) What are the main benefits for the U.S. Suppliers?

Q) How do we/suppliers collect payments from overseas customers?

Q) How do we connect to Friend In America to utilize your services?

Q) From which U.S. companies your overseas customers are currently purchasing and/or shipping using Friend In America’s service?

Q) What kind of special packing and export documentation do we need for export?

Q) What is Friend in America.com?
A) Friend in America is the first interactive Web Site to fill the gap between US businesses on-line and the international community. Our one-step solution was originally developed in 1988 by our parent company Starpacc Global Logistics, Inc., to help U.S. firms manage their international orders and resolve any problems form quality control to export management, cost-effective shipping and consolidation, invoicing and payment collections.
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Q) What are the main benefits for foreign buyers?
A) Purchasing and shipping through Friend In America is fast, secure and convenient! Take a look at our special online benefits:
    • Direct access to unlimited number of US Web Sites and on-line catalogs, including those with products and         services not available to foreign buyers!
    • US-based office and mailing address for direct purchasing, drop shipments, packaging and consolidation
        through one (1) central location as opposed to multiple shipping locations.
    • Direct access to special offers, quantity discounts and promotions normally reserved for American dealers
        and distributors.
    • Consolidation of multiple orders into a “single” shipment with
                → One (1) Order
                → One (1) Payment
                → One (1) Shipment
    • Guaranteed, all0inclusive discounted rates on air/ocean freight and door-to-door shipments to over 220
        countries, plus cost-effective shipments for packages of 150 lbs. or more.
    • 24/7 Online Tracking from booking to final destination.
    • No minimum orders.

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Q) What makes you different from other purchasing and shipping services?
A) Friend In America offers direct access to an unlimited number of web sites in North America, plus on-line global shipping and logistics that few other companies can match. We can help you with everything from handling your eBay special orders to managing your international payments and shipping solutions for all your online purchases.
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Q) Why should I use your Buying Office service rather than purchasing directly from my own suppliers in North America?
A) Many US online firms do not accept international orders, or do not offer shipping outside United States and Canada due to tracking difficulties, differing Customs Regulations and other issues, however, thanks to FriendInAmerica.com, international buyers are now able to browse their favorite US Web Sites, order any product(s) they like, then have it “Drop Ship” to us in order to take advantage of our discounted freight rates or, if they prefer, choose our Buying Office service for discount pricing. Whether you already purchase direct from the U.S. and Canada, or just thinking about it, you should consider our service for the following reasons:

    • Enormous Selection: With a database driven to unlimited number of products from virtually any American
        web site, including some of the largest U.S. companies doing business online, no other web site can offer the
       depth of selection this site can.

    • Excellent Prices: While many suppliers provide some kind of freight discount on their shipments, many do
       not. Through economies of scale provided by Starpacc, FriendInAmerica.com has acquired substantial
       discounts on freight and supplies from North America. For example, with our discounts we are able to ship
       door-to-door to Frankfurt 100 kilograms for $295.00* including Customs Clearance and local delivery to the
       ultimate destination. (*Duty and V.A.T. taxes payable by receiver).

    • Repackaging & Consolidation: Since most of the customers for American suppliers are located in the
       United States, as a rule they do not pack their goods for international shipping in an efficient manner. This
       means there is a lot of wasted space, and since express couriers such as UPS, DHL, FedEx etc., charge their
       fees based on weight or volume (or equivalent dimensional weight) whichever is greater, our repackaging
       service greatly reduce or eliminate this additional volume surcharge. In fact, typically we are able to reduce
       the shipping weight by 40%, thus providing an average discount of 30% to 45% on standard UPS shipping
       rates.
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Q) How much do you charge for your service?
A) An Order Processing and Freight Management Fee, ranging from 7% up to 15& of the actual Cost of goods, is charged depending upon the type of service and amount of goods shipped.
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Q) How do I get started?
A) 1. Register your name to establish your own address in the U.S.!
2. Visit your favorite Web Site, or click here to access our Top Web Sites Directory.
3. Order as many products as you like from any Web Site of your choice, then have your order(s) shipped to your new address in the USA, or fill out our On-line Order Form to have your order processed through our Buying Office.
4. Upon receipt of your order(s), we will repackage and consolidate all items received into a single shipment and send it to your final destinations as per your instructions.
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Q) How much does it cost to have permanent shipping & mailing address in the United States?
A) There is “no” fee to establish a shipping and mailing address in the United States. Simply register your name with us and you will be assigned a code number so that you start using your new address immediately, with all the benefits and discounts reserved to an American Company!
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Q) How does your “Drop Shipment” service work?
A) This service has been specifically designed for those customers who wish to buy direct form their (American) suppliers, but also for new customers who wish to take advantage of our shipping and consolidation discount service. When you place your online order, inform your supplier(s) of your new address in the USA. P.S. If you prefer to confirm your order(s) by fax, telephone or E0mail, simply download our Drop Shipment form, sign it then send it to your supplier as authorization to Drop Ship your goods to your new shipping address. When we receive the goods we will consolidate, repackage, and then ship to you according to your instructions.
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Q) What if I already buy direct from the United States, can I still use your shipping/ consolidation discount service?
A) Yes, when you place your order, instruct your supplier(s) to have your package(s) Drop Shipped directly to your new address in the USA, then we will consolidate, repackage and ship your goods directly to you. If you wish to advise your order by fax or E-mail, you can use our Drop Shipment from hereto.
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Q) What if the American Web Site I visit does not accept credit card payments from my country?
A) Friend In America will accept your payment either by VISA, MasterCard or American Express. Payments are handled using a secure connection. To use this option, simply download our Credit Cards Authorization Form, duly fill the information requested, sign and date it, then send it back to us.
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Q) What forms of payment do you accept other that credit cards?
A) Other than payments by VISA, MasterCard and American Express, we also accept payments by Wire Transfer. Please see our Instructions for Payment by Wire Transfer hereto.
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Q) What if I want to buy a product from a Web Site that does not ship outside of the United States and Canada?
A) This is one of our primary services. Simply fill the attached On-line Order Form, then send it to us in order to process your order(s) through our Buying Office service.
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Q) What if I want to purchase from an eBay’s auctioneer in the U.S.?
A) Prior to confirming your order, advise the (eBay) seller to Drop Ship your order directly to your address in the United States. If, for any reasons your eBay seller is not willing or capable to accept your payment from your country, we will make the payment on your behalf and charge your credit card (or wait for your money order or wire transfer) in order to process your order through our office.

ATTENTION eBay USERS: If you are buying cars, ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) motorcycles, SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) boats jetskys, RVs (Recreational Vehicles) motor homes etc., directly from eBay’s sellers or through U.S. Dealers, we can handle the whole process from an automobile inspection and negotiation, to pick up and transportation to Southern California, plus loading for ocean freight, U.S. Customs Clearance, documentation, marine insurance etc.
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Q) How can I check the status of my shipment(s)?
A) Once your freight cargo has been booked, we will advise your Tracking Number (Airway or Ocean Freight Bill of Lading) with our carrier so that you will be able to check the status of your shipment at every step, including proof of delivery to your final destination.
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Q) How do you charge freight?
A) In order to charge you our freight cost based on the actual weight of goods, rather than estimating approximate shipping charges at time of order, we will debit freight charges only after all goods have been received and are ready to ship. This way we can assure you that you will never be overcharged due to approximate freight calculation made in advance prior to receiving your goods..
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Q) Where will I pickup or receive my order?
A) Any order shipped by Worldwide Express, Expedited or Worldfreight, will be delivered directly to your private or business address in your country. For any order shipped via Airfreight (airport to airport or door to airport) or Ocean Freight, upon receipt of goods and Customs Clearance, you will be contacted by the corresponding Forwarding Agent in your country for delivery arrangements to your final destination.
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Q) What kind of fees do I have to pay upon receipt of my order(s)?
A) According to Customs Regulations in most countries, Duty and V.A.T. taxes are normally assessed based on classification and total value of goods* as described on the invoice, prior to release of goods from Customs. (*In some countries import taxes are also charged on freight value).
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Q) Can you send me an estimate including cost of goods, freight and insurance as well as Duty and V.A.T. taxes?
A) Based on a detailed request including quantities, part numbers and description of the item(s) required, we can send you a Proforma Invoice C.i.f., that is including Cost, Freight and Insurance to your final destination, or Free-end-domicile/DDT, that is Duty & Delivery taxes, but not V.A.T. tzx.
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Q) How can I calculate my door-to-door shipping rates?
A) With our Shipping Rates & Quick Cost Calculator you will be able to take advantage of our special discount rates for Worldwide Express Door to Door, and calculate in advance your freight cost form anywhere in the U.S. to your final destination.
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Q) Are your shipping rates including packaging & handling fees?
A) Yes, Packaging and Handling is always included in our shipping rates.
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Q) How do I know how much money I saved by using your shipping consolidation service versus shipping direct from my supplier(s)?
A) Upon shipping of every order, you will receive a detailed report of all packages received from your supplier(s), including total cost of freight based on the original packaging from each individual supplier, which you will be able to compare with our freight cost after goods have been shipped with our freight discount through our consolidation and repackaging service.

    Solutions for American Sellers

    • What are the main benefits for American Suppliers?
    • How do we collect payments from overseas customers?
    • How do we connect to Friend In America to utilize yo0ur services?
    • From which U.S. companies your overseas customers are currently purchasing and/or shipping using Friend
        In America’s services?
    • What kind of special packaging and export documentation do we need for export?
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Q) What are the main benefits for the U.S. Suppliers?
A) If you wish to expand your sales into foreign markets, and take advantage of today’s unlimited global economy, Friend In America can help you with the following benefits:
    • As a domestic supplier, you do not need to set up your own export department, hire an export manager, or
        set up expensive trade shows around the world and support commissioned sales representatives abroad.
    • Your company can benefit from the export know-how brought to you by the unique experience and in-depth
        knowledge in the international market of our parent company – Starpacc Global Logistics, Inc. - during
        the past 15 years.
    • We will help you test which of your products are best-sellers abroad without having to take great effort,
        financial risk or investment.
    • Friend In America will handle all your export documentation, packaging, labeling and transportation.
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Q) How do we/suppliers collect payments from overseas customers?
A) Friend In America is responsible to collect foreign payments, this taking away any possible risks from you. In turn, Friend In America will pay you in U.S. funds through major credit cards issued by U.S. bank
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Q) How do we connect to Friend In America to utilize your services?
A) All you need to is to paste our INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT banner to link your domestic Web Site to ours, then we will take care of all necessary procedures to guarantee that your customers will receive their shipments in good order and in a timely fashion..
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Q) From which U.S. companies your overseas customers are currently purchasing and/or shipping using Friend In America’s service?
A) Our foreign customers utilize our purchasing, shipping and consolidation services from many U.S. companies spread across a wide spectrum of industries, among which:

    Category: Automotive – Parts and Accessories

    • 3M
    • Chevrolet
    • Classic Industries
    • Dodge
    • Eckler’S
    • International
    • Jeeo
    • Mopar
    • Summit Racing
    • Tire Rack
    • Toyota
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Q) What kind of special packing and export documentation do we need for export?
A) Your goods will be carefully repackaged and shipped through our warehouse in Southern California, therefore you do not need any special packaging to ship your products overseas. All export documentation, including commercial invoices, SED (Shipper’s Export Declaration) Certificates of Origin etc., will be also be handled through our office.
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Demos

Demo

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Exchange rate calculator

International shipping rates

Calculate international shipping savings with consolidation

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