FAQ
Betty K FAQ: Shipping Basics
Welcome to the Betty K FAQ — your go-to resource for answers about shipping with us. Whether you're a first-time customer or a longtime shipper, this page covers the most common questions about our schedules, rates, vehicles, and policies.
Shipping Pallets
What is needed to ship pallets with Betty K?
To ship pallets, you will need to provide the following:
- Commercial invoice or receipt – Must clearly show the description, quantity, and declared value of all goods on the pallet.
- Full contact details – Consignee name, phone number(s), address, and destination port - Nassau.Important: Do not put Betty K Agencies Ltd. as your contact/consignee name.
- Delivery to our Ft. Lauderdale terminal – Cargo must be dropped off/delivered at the King Ocean Services facility in Ft. Lauderdale ahead of the cut-off for that week's sailing.
Delivery Address: 1300 Eller Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
If the total declared value of goods on the pallet is $2,500 or more, an EEI (Electronic Export Information) form is also required. See the EEI section below.
Tip: Send your invoices to info@bettyk.com and nassau@kingocean.com as early as possible to allow time to prepare all necessary documentation before the vessel departs.
Are there size or weight limits for pallets?
Standard pallet dimensions are accepted. Oversized or overweight pallets may require special handling and additional fees. Please contact us before delivering cargo if your pallet exceeds standard dimensions so we can advise on the best shipping option
Standard pallet weight: 2500 lbs.
Standard pallet dimensions: 48 Length x 40 Width x 72 Height
What are the cargo Cut-Off times?
EEI - Electronic Export Information
What is an EEI and when do I need it?
EEI stands for Electronic Export Information. It is a U.S. government requirement for any shipment with a declared value of $2,500 or more being exported from the United States.
The EEI is filed through the Automated Export System (AES) and acts as the official export record for your shipment. Betty K. Line uses the King Ocean EEI Authorization Form to collect the information needed to file on your behalf.
How do I complete the EEI form?
Download the King Ocean EEI Authorization Form and complete all required fields:
- Business customers: Enter your Tax Identification Number (TIN) in the field labeled "USPPI EIN Number."
- Personal customers: Enter your passport number in the same field.
- Passport Required for Personal Shipments
If you are shipping as an individual, a copy of the photo page of your passport must accompany your completed EEI form. Without it, your submission cannot be processed.
- Passport Required for Personal Shipments
Once signed, email the completed form to both:
Copying both addresses ensures that King Ocean Services and Betty K. Line can track and confirm receipt of your document.
Does the EEI apply to personal shipments too?
Yes. The $2,500 threshold applies to both commercial and personal shipments. If the combined value of the goods in your shipment meets or exceeds that amount, the EEI form is required regardless of whether you are shipping as a business or as an individual.
Personal customers should use their passport number in place of a business tax ID when completing the form.
Hazardous Cargo & Additional Fees
What is considered hazardous cargo?
Hazardous cargo includes any materials classified under IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods) regulations. Common examples include:
- Flammable liquids or gases (paint, solvents, propane, aerosols)
- Compressed gas cylinders
- Batteries (lithium-ion batteries in bulk or certain quantities)
- Chemicals, pesticides, and pool supplies
- Corrosive materials (acids, bleach in large quantities)
- Firearms, ammunition, and explosives
If you are unsure whether your cargo qualifies as hazardous, contact us before delivering to the terminal.
Can Betty K. Line ship hazardous materials?
Certain hazardous materials can be accepted, but they must be properly declared, classified, and packaged in compliance with IMDG requirements prior to delivery. Proper documentation — including MSDS/SDS sheets and hazmat declarations — must accompany the shipment.
Not all hazardous goods are eligible for transport on our vessel. Please contact us in advance to confirm whether your specific cargo can be accepted and what additional documentation is required.
How to Book a Container
What container options does Betty K.Line offer?
We offer a range of container options to suit shipments of every size:
- 20' Standard Container – Ideal for small to mid-size full loads.
- 40' High Cube (HC) Container – Our largest option for high-volume full loads. All of our 40' containers are High Cube, giving you an extra foot of interior height — ideal for tall or bulky cargo that wouldn't fit in a standard 40' container.
- Flat Racks (20' & 40') – Used for cargo not suitable for standard containers, such as bundles of lumber, plywood, building supplies, sod, plants, landscaping materials, and other oversized or irregularly shaped goods.
- 20' Reefer Container – Temperature-controlled shipping for perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, or any cargo requiring refrigeration.
- 40' Reefer Container – Larger refrigerated option for high-volume temperature-sensitive shipments.
- And more – Contact us to discuss specialized cargo needs.
For smaller shipments that don't fill an entire container, we also offer Less than Container Load (LCL) / Consolidation — your cargo is grouped with other shipments to keep costs down.
How do I know if my shipment is a Live Load or Drop & Pick?
When booking a container with Betty K. Agencies Ltd., you'll need to let us know how your cargo will be loaded. There are two options — a Live Load or a Drop & Pick. The right choice depends on where your cargo is coming from, how quickly it can be ready, and the setup at your supplier's location.
Live Load
A truck arrives at your supplier's location with an empty container. Your supplier loads the cargo while the driver waits on-site. Once loading is done, the container is sealed and the truck heads directly to the terminal.
- Container arrives at your supplier's location at the scheduled time with the driver on-site.
- Your supplier loads the cargo directly into the container while the driver waits.
- Container is sealed and departs immediately for the Ft. Lauderdale terminal.
Drop & Pick
A truck drops off an empty container at your supplier's location and leaves. Your supplier loads the cargo at their own pace within an agreed timeframe, then we return to pick it up once it's ready.
- Container is dropped at your supplier's location and left there for the agreed loading period.
- Your supplier loads the cargo on their own schedule within the agreed timeframe.
- You notify us when loading is complete and we return to seal and transport the container.
How do I book a container?
Booking a container is straightforward:
- Contact our team – Reach out via email at info@bettyk.com or use the Request a Quote form on our website to describe your shipment needs.
- Provide cargo details – Share the nature of your goods, total weight, dimensions and volume of your cargo or pallets, origin location, and preferred sailing date.
- Receive confirmation – Our team will confirm availability, provide your freight rate, and issue booking instructions.
- Deliver your cargo – Once your cargo is loaded and the container is ready for pickup, send us an email and we'll arrange for a driver to collect it and transport it to the Ft. Lauderdale terminal.
- Submit paperwork – Send invoices and any required forms (including EEI if applicable) to info@bettyk.com.
How far in advance do I need to book?
We recommend reaching out at least 3–5 business days before your target sailing to allow time for booking confirmation, documentation preparation, and cargo delivery. For large FCL bookings or refrigerated cargo, booking earlier is advised to ensure availability.
Contact us as soon as you know your shipment needs — our team will work with you to get your cargo on the next available sailing.
Still have questions?
If you questions not covered in our Betty K FAQ, Contact us and our team will be happy to help.
