Designated Shipments

The Theological Book Network announces a pilot program for designated shipments. 

The new rates for international postage have increased dramatically.   This will have a major impact on those who send shipments to partner institutions with which they have maintained a relationship in the past.

The TBN has developed a pilot program to assess the feasibility of including your designated book shipments with our regular international shipments, at a fee that is considerably less than the new postage rates.  This will allow librarians and other organizations to continue shipping books to their partner institutions with the same frequency and about half cost the cost of the new international postage rates.

If you are interested in shipping through the TBN designated shipment program, please contact us. You can view our tentative shipping schedule on our web site.

Theological Book Network
Designated Shipment (DS) Guidelines

The following are general guidelines.   Please contact our office for specific information, or to arrange a pickup.

Requirements:

Pickups by Theological Book Network:

• Minimum size:  15 boxes of books (typically 40 pounds per box, or 30 to 35 books per box, for a minimum of approximately 450 to 500 books)  delivered by donor to closest scheduled pick up point.* 

• Packing and Marking:  In order to arrive in good condition, and to be delivered to the proper designee, books must be well packed by donor and boxes clearly marked FROM (name of donor)  and TO (name of designee).  TBN reserves the right to decline books if not properly packed and labeled.

• Weight:  Boxes will be weighed by TBN driver when picked up.  Designated shipment charges will be based on the weight of packed boxes.

• Packing List:   In cases where a detailed packing list is needed, the list must be prepared  by donor, with one copy of packing list inserted in box and one given to TBN driver.*

• Receipts:  An acknowledgement of the pick-up by TBN will be provided by the TBN office.  Designated shipments are not donations to the TBN and are not deductible for tax purposes.

Shipments to TBN:

• Minimum size:  The minimum number of books for a designated shipment sent to TBN by UPS, Postal Service or other carrier,  is the greater of 2 boxes, 80 pounds, or 70 books.

• Packing and Marking:  In order to arrive in good condition, and to be delivered to the proper designee, books must be well packed by donor and boxes clearly marked FROM (name of donor)  and TO (name of designee).  TBN reserves the right to decline books if not properly packed and labeled.

• Weight:  Boxes will be weighed by TBN office when delivered.  Designated shipment charges will be based on the weight of packed boxes.

• Packing List:   In cases where a detailed packing list is needed, the list must be prepared  by the donor, with one copy of the packing list inserted in the box and one provided to TBN by fax or mail.*

• Minimum charge of $125.

Cost to Donor and Designee (if any):

• Cost to donor will be based on published rates in effect at time of pickup.
  
  
• Donor will be advised of shipping cost, based on the weight, prior to shipment to designee.   Donor will confirm acceptance of charges.
  
  
• An invoice will be issued as soon as the shipment leaves our warehouse;  payment is due within 30 days of invoice.
  
  
• In the case of non-payment, the designated shipment books will become the property of TBN and can be distributed as TBN deems appropriate.
  
  
• Duties and import fees (if any) will be paid by designee, as a portion of total duties and import fees assessed on entire shipment, unless prior arrangements are made with donor.

Shipment to Designee:

• A tentative shipping schedule is posted on the TBN web site.  Donor is encouraged to review the schedule and the countries to which TBN will be making general shipments.  

• Books will be shipped according to the TBN shipping schedule;  there is no guarantee of how soon books will be shipped after arriving at the TBN warehouse.

• Books will be shipped as part of a larger shipment, to the host school chosen by TBN;  designee must pick up books at host school, or arrange with the host school for postage.
• TBN is not responsible for shipping directly to the designee.

• TBN reserves the right to decline a designated shipment  in cases where books are to be shipped to countries outside our normal operations, where it is not feasible to ship, or other reasons at our discretion.

Liability:

• TBN  liability is limited to the safe arrival of the boxes (pickups only) at our warehouse.  Poorly packed books that are shipped to us by UPS, USPS or other methods may sustain damage in shipping.    TBN will not repack books for shipment.

• TBN is not responsible for damage or loss of books during or after shipment to designee  due to shipping, delivery, weather or other situations beyond our control, or the condition of books upon arrival at destination,  No refunds or reimbursements will be given for any reason.

Rates:

• Rates:  effective through December 2008.    Only those designated shipments already picked up and in our warehouse by December 31, 2008 will be billed at these rates.  Future rates may be higher.

• Rates are per pound, based on weight provided by shipper and/or verified by TBN driver or office.
  
  
• To port:   $1.59/lb. includes pickup from donor through delivery to host institution.
  
  
• To inland destination:  $1.79/lb. includes pickup from donor through delivery to host institution.

• Duties and other  import fees or costs:  In most cases, duty is not imposed on used books.  Other fees or costs will be discussed on a case-by-case basis when the designated shipment is arranged.

Definitions:

• Designated shipment:  a consigned shipment of books or journals for an institution (designee)  named by the donor.   These books must be clearly marked by the donor for distribution to the designee and will be released only to the institution named. 

• Designee:  the ultimate recipient of the designated shipment. 

• Donor:  the person or institution supplying the books for the designated shipment.  The books are donated to the designee;  they are not a tax-deductible contribution to the Theological Book Network.

• Host institution:  the institution which will receive the overall shipment, including both
  
  
• general distribution books and designated shipment books.  The host is responsible for letting the designee know when the shipment is available for pick up, but is not responsible for shipping the books to the designee, unless specific arrangements are mutually agreed upon.

• TBN:  Theological Book Network acts only as intermediary in a designated shipment. The books are provided by the donor, shipped to the host school, and ultimately picked up by the designee. 

*For further information:

To arrange a pick up or receive more specific information on procedures, paperwork requirements, etc. please contact:
Wayne Bornholdt
Director of Acquisitions
wayne@theologicalbooknetwork.org.
Phone:  616-532-3890  
Fax:  616-237-5967