Le Port – 97829
16, Rue Claude Chappe
CS 71151 – B 110 – ZAE 2000
Tel. +262 262551535
SIRET: 447837980
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
Viamar Transit is a freight forwarding company founded in 1987 and specialised in international sea freight: conventional cargo, Full Container Load (FCL), Less than Container Load (LCL – Groupage) and rolling stock (Ro-Ro).
On this page we have gathered the answers to the questions our customers ask most often. The first part covers general information on quotes, costs, tracking, cargo safety and insurance.
The second part covers questions about each of our services. If you can’t find the answer you need, get in touch: our team will be happy to help you find the best solution for your shipment.
General information
Useful information before, during and after a shipment: how to request a quote, how costs are calculated, how to track your cargo and how to protect it in case of damage.
Who is Viamar Transit and where is it based?
Viamar Transit is an international freight forwarder founded in 1987 and specialising in ocean freight: full container loads (FCL), groupage (LCL), project cargo and rolling cargo (Ro-Ro). It has offices in Genoa and Turin in Italy and in Valencia in Spain, plus operational offices in Baie-Mahault (Guadeloupe) and Le Port (Réunion). It is the only Italian freight forwarder offering a direct groupage service to the main French overseas territories, such as Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin and La Réunion, as well as to Sint Maarten (the Dutch side of the island).
How can I request a quote and what information do you need?
You can email us at info@viamartransit.com or fill in the form on the Contact page. To prepare an accurate quote, we need: pickup and delivery addresses, package dimensions (length, width, height), gross weight, type of goods and preferred mode of transport (sea or road). For air shipments, we also need to know the value of the goods.
What is chargeable weight (or volumetric weight)?
It is the figure carriers use to calculate the shipping rate: it takes into account not only the actual weight of the goods but also the space they actually occupy. It is calculated by multiplying the volume of the package by the weight-to-volume conversion factor of the chosen mode of transport; you are then charged on whichever is higher, the actual weight or the volumetric weight.
What additional charges may be added to the base rate?
The final cost may include customs duties, local taxes, fuel surcharges (BAF/FAF), storage charges, cargo insurance or dangerous goods handling fees (ADR/IMO). Our quotes always state clearly which items are included.
Do you offer shipment tracking?
Yes. You can follow your shipment’s voyage directly on our website: in the Tracking section, select the shipping line and enter your container number.
Are there any goods that cannot be shipped?
Some goods are prohibited or restricted, including weapons and ammunition, currency, live animals, plants and products subject to phytosanitary controls, and unauthorised perishable goods; each destination country may also have its own specific bans. Dangerous goods (flammable, toxic, explosive) are not prohibited, but they require packaging and documents that comply with ADR and IMDG regulations. Please note, however, that each shipping line is free to decide whether or not to accept a given type of dangerous goods (IMO). Contact us to check whether your cargo can be shipped.
Are my goods insured during transport?
The carrier is liable for damage only up to the limits set by law: the Hague-Visby Rules for sea freight and the CMR Convention for road freight. These limits, calculated on the basis of weight or number of packages, often cover only part of the actual value of the goods. That is why we always recommend an additional “All Risks” insurance policy, which we can arrange on request.
What should I do if my goods arrive damaged or incomplete?
On delivery, sign the carrier’s document adding a specific reservation (for example, “received subject to wet/damaged packaging” or “number of packages does not match”). Take photos straight away and notify us in writing as soon as possible: for sea freight, damage that is not apparent at the time of delivery must be notified within 3 days. We will take care of filing the claim.
Our services
Answers about each of our sea freight services: full container load (FCL), groupage (LCL), cross trade, project cargo and rolling stock (Ro-Ro). For each service you will also find a link to its dedicated page.
Frequently asked questions about Groupage Viamar (LCL)
What is Groupage Viamar?
Groupage Viamar is our sea groupage service with direct sailings from Italy and Spain. We consolidate goods from several customers bound for the same geographical area into a single container, so each customer pays only for the space their goods take up inside the container.
Which destinations do you serve with direct groupage from Italy?
Viamar Transit is the only Italian freight forwarder offering a direct groupage service from Italy to Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Martin, Sint Maarten, Saint-Barthélemy and La Réunion. For these destinations we have operational offices in Guadeloupe, Réunion and Sint Maarten, which handle the goods on arrival and deliver them to the consignee, or assist customers who prefer to collect their goods themselves.
How often do groupage sailings depart and how long is the voyage?
Groupage sailings depart every two weeks. The up-to-date schedule, with estimated departure and arrival dates and the vessel name, is published in the Groupage Departures section of our website. The approximate transit time to the Caribbean and La Réunion is around 25 days, plus consolidation time at origin.
What is chargeable weight (or volumetric weight)?
It is the figure carriers use to calculate the shipping rate. It takes into account the space the goods actually occupy in relation to their actual weight. It is calculated by multiplying the volume of the package by the weight-to-volume conversion factor of the chosen mode of transport.
What documents are needed to ship to Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Martin and Réunion?
Although they are French territories, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Martin and Réunion lie outside the EU VAT area: shipments therefore require customs and tax documentation, including a VAT-exempt commercial invoice (under Article 8 of Italian VAT law) and a packing list. On arrival, the octroi de mer applies: a local tax that varies according to the type of goods. If required, we can also handle all local formalities through our offices in Guadeloupe, Réunion and Sint Maarten.
What is the difference between Groupage Viamar, Customised Groupage and Groupage (LCL)?
Groupage Viamar is our service with direct, scheduled sailings to the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean. Customised Groupage consolidates goods purchased from several suppliers by a single customer into one container, for shipment to any destination. Groupage (LCL) covers all other destinations worldwide, through the leading international co-loaders.
For further information and access the Groupage Viamar (LCL) page.
FAQ about Full Container Load (FCL)
What does FCL (Full Container Load) mean?
FCL, or Full Container Load, refers to the shipment of an entire container reserved for a single customer/consignee. The container is loaded and sealed at origin and opened only at destination: the goods are not handled together with anyone else’s, transit times are faster and the risk of damage is lower. Viamar Transit organises FCL shipments for both export and import, from collection of the goods to final delivery. For smaller volumes, the more cost-effective alternative is groupage (LCL), where you pay only for the space you use.
Do you offer only ocean freight, or logistics services as well?
In addition to ocean freight, we offer an integrated logistics service: road haulage from the supplier’s warehouse to the port of loading, storage and distribution, and handling of all documentation. We organise FCL shipments originating in Italy or any other European country, managed by our offices in Genoa and Turin. We also handle cross-trade: shipments of goods moving directly between two or more foreign countries.
Can dangerous or refrigerated goods be shipped in containers?
Yes. We ship perishable goods in temperature-controlled reefer containers, and dangerous goods in compliance with ADR regulations for road transport and the IMO/IMDG Code for sea transport. Our staff are trained in accordance with the IMO manual for the handling of dangerous goods by sea, as required by Circular 23/2009 of the Italian Coast Guard General Command.
How much does it cost to ship a container? What charges are added to the freight rate?
The cost of a container shipment depends on the route, container type, goods and time of year. On top of the ocean freight rate, there are the bunker surcharge (BAF), terminal handling charges (THC), customs clearance, haulage and VGM costs where we handle them, charges for exceeding free time (demurrage and detention), insurance and any dangerous goods surcharges; destination duties and taxes may also be included. Our quotes always state exactly what is included.
How do you secure competitive ocean freight rates?
Thanks to long-standing relationships, built up over decades, with the world’s leading shipping lines, we constantly monitor market trends and negotiate competitive freight rates, giving our customers the best value for money and guaranteed space on board.
How do I request a quote for a container shipment?
You can write to info@viamartransit.com or fill in the form on the Contact page. To quote for a container shipment we need: place of loading and destination, container type and number of containers, type of goods (stating whether dangerous or refrigerated), gross weight, date the goods will be ready, and the Incoterms rule agreed with your customer or supplier.
For more information, go to the Full Container Load (FLC) page.
FAQ about Customised Groupage
What is Customised Groupage?
Customised Groupage is a tailor-made service for customers who buy goods from several suppliers and want to cut costs and paperwork compared with multiple separate shipments. We bring the goods together in our warehouses and consolidate them into a single container. With a maximum of three suppliers, the goods can be consolidated in the container directly at the suppliers’ premises. Customised groupage can reach any destination in the world.
How does container consolidation work?
We coordinate collection from each supplier or receive their deliveries at our warehouse, check packages and documents, and load everything into a single container once the order is complete. The customer has a single point of contact and a single shipment to follow, with unified transport and customs documentation.
Which countries can I ship to with Customised Groupage?
To any destination served by shipping lines. Besides the French overseas territories and Sint Maarten, we have built up years of experience in shipments throughout Central and South America. Thanks to our in-depth knowledge of the region, we provide reliable, secure logistics solutions tailored to every need.
What are the advantages over shipping each order separately?
The main advantage is undoubtedly the savings in both time and cost. A single ocean freight charge, less customs paperwork and a lower risk of damage thanks to properly planned loading. Customers can also plan their purchases knowing that the goods will be brought together and shipped as one.
For more information, go to the Customised Groupage page.
Frequently asked questions about Groupage (LCL)
What does LCL mean and what is groupage?
LCL, or Less than Container Load, refers to a sea shipment of goods in which space is purchased in a co-loader’s containers.
How does LCL groupage work?
The goods are delivered or collected and taken to a consolidation warehouse, where they are loaded into a container together with those of other shippers bound for the same area. The container travels to the port of discharge, where it is opened (deconsolidated) and each shipment is cleared through customs and delivered to its consignee.
Can refrigerated or dangerous goods be shipped by groupage?
In some cases, yes, but not all services accept them. Refrigerated goods require dedicated LCL reefer services, available only on certain routes; dangerous goods (ADR/IMO) require specific documentation and the co-loader’s acceptance. Contact us with details of your goods so we can check feasibility.
For more information, go to the Groupage (LCL) page.
FAQ about Cross Trade
What does cross trade mean?
Cross trade means a “foreign-to-foreign” shipment: the goods travel from one foreign country to another without passing through Italy, while the shipment is organised by an Italian freight forwarder. It is an increasingly popular solution for companies that buy in countries such as China, India or Brazil and sell or manufacture elsewhere.
Do you handle shipments that don’t pass through Italy?
Yes. Through our Cross Trade service and a global network of partners, we organise and coordinate shipments directly between two foreign countries, managing logistics and documentation remotely, without the goods passing through Italian ports.
From which countries can cross-trade shipments be arranged?
From all major producing and exporting countries, relying on selected local partners for goods collection, export procedures, and shipment.
How is documentation handled in a foreign-to-foreign shipment?
We coordinate all transport documents from Italy with our partners at origin and destination. On request, we can manage the issue of documents so as to protect confidentiality between the supplier and the end customer.
For more information, go to the Cross Trade page.
FAQ about Project Cargo and Ro-Ro l Project cargo e rotabili (RO/RO)
What does Ro-Ro mean?
Ro-Ro stands for Roll-on/Roll-off: the sea transport of vehicles and wheeled cargo that are driven on and off the ship via ramps, with no need for cranes. It is the most common way to ship cars, trucks, plant vehicles and machinery on roll trailers by sea.
What are Ro-Ro ships and which vehicles can be shipped?
Ro-Ro ships are cargo vessels with ramps and garage decks, designed to load vehicles that drive aboard on their own wheels. Ro-Ro shipping can carry both new and used vehicles: cars, vans, trucks and heavy vehicles, buses, trailers and semi-trailers, agricultural and earth-moving machinery, as well as machinery on roll trailers. Viamar Transit can handle these specialised shipments by booking space on the Ro-Ro services of the major shipping lines.
Can goods other than vehicles be shipped by Ro-Ro?
Yes. Ro-Ro freight is also suitable for heavy or bulky loads placed on roll trailers, which are loaded and unloaded using terminal tractors. It is a good alternative to containers for machinery, structures and goods that do not fit in a standard container.
What is project cargo?
Project cargo is the transport of heavy, oversized or out-of-gauge goods, such as industrial machinery, plants, structures and components that do not fit in a standard container. Each shipment is a project in its own right: it requires a cargo study, selection of the most suitable equipment and vessel, and coordination of every stage, from collection to delivery.
How is industrial machinery shipped by sea?
We start by analysing dimensions, weights and lifting points to choose the most suitable transport solution, using different types of container, such as flat racks and open tops, or a break-bulk or Ro-Ro vessel. We then arrange oversized road transport with the necessary permits and oversee loading, lashing and discharge. We have built up this expertise over many years working with a major trader in vehicles and industrial plants.
For more information, go to the Project Cargo and Ro-Ro page