Introduction
The SOA Containers are 20 foot sea containers that are sent to SALFA Madagascar. They contain mainly medical donations but also SALFA purchases through SOA as well as non-SALFA related goods such as missionary or non-profit organization items. SOA, largely in person of Claire Stolee, coordinates the US end of the containers while SALFA manages the receiving and dispatching of the container and its items in Madagascar. Contrary to popular misunderstanding, the containers are not MELCAM's (Missionaries of the ELCA in Madagascar), nor does MELCAM manage the receiving and dispatching of container items (other than its own items).
Who is eligible for shipping?
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Currently we are unable to ship any 3rd party items. The contents of the containers must be all SALFA goods. Please call or e-mail before sending anything to the SOA warehouse for shipment to Madagascar!
SOA containers is a support ministry to SALFA and its medical ministry. It principle role is to provide a means of shipping donations and medical purchases from
the U.S. to Madagascar. In addition to its principle ministry of medical supplies, the SOA containers
are also a ministry to mission organizations and some development organizations. Examples include ELCA
missionaries, Conservative Baptists, Nazarene Church, Peregrine Fund, etc. Additional volume allows SOA to send containers more frequently, thereby improving SALFA's inventory management by increased turnover.
Since the shipments are primarily for SALFA medical shipments, those items receive priority, meaning that there is the possibility that a third party shipment will have to wait for the next container. There is
no defined policy as to who is eligible to ship with
SOA. Please contact SOA directly for inquiries. Note that SOA and SALFA
are non-profit organizations and that SOA is not a shipping agency but rather a ministry
to those involved in development in Madagascar. We appreciate your cooperation in all logistical matters.
Packing List - Inventory Forms
As with all items imported into Madagascar, there are strict laws and regulations. For this reason, detailed packing lists are
needed for ALL items in the containers. To help you, we have prepared Ocean Freight Inventory Forms
on this web site. The forms are not yet interactive. Please print the forms (page 1 and then multiple copies of page 2+, depending on the number of cartons), complete them accurately then forward them to
SOA. If you have any questions, please contact SOA.
A detailed list of the contents should be sent by you directly to the recipient. The recipient will be responsible for the customs procedures in Madagascar. Please see note regarding Customs. Please be sure that
the person you are sending the items to is aware that they are coming before you send them so that you are not sending something that they do not want or that will cause problems for them with customs officials.
Items will not be shipped until SOA has received all necessary information. Cost The shipping charge is not determined until the container has left port. It will be about $10 per
cubic foot. The charge is for shipping from Brooklyn Park to
the port of Toamasina (Tamatave). Any customs fees are the responsibility of the
recipient, as well as any expenses incurred by SALFA
for moving the container inland and securing its
release from customs. Please see note below regarding customs.
As with all items imported into Madagascar, there are strict laws and regulations. For this reason, we
request that you complete the inventory forms accurately. Once the container is packed and on its way, SOA forwards to SALFA Transit Service the complete packing list of the container. SALFA Transit then tries
to contact all third parties in Madagascar to inform them of the items they have in the container. It should be noted that it is in recipients interest to make contact with SALFA Transit as soon as they hear of a
package destined for them. Each recipient is personally
responsible for the customs procedures of their items. SALFA Transit only manages the customs procedures for SALFA items. If you have any questions regarding customs, please contact SALFA Transit. Our Transit has many years of experience in dealing with all types of importation from initial entry to used clothing.
It should be noted that accurate valorization of items is essential. A customs official is generally present during the unloading of the container. This official has full authority to verify the contents with
our declared packing list. The container is declared as a SALFA container, and so SALFA and the recipient are responsible for validity of the packing list. It behooves us as Christians to accurately present our
packing lists. Assuming the individual recipient or developing organization requests and receives "franchise" or tax exoneration, they must deliver the original Authorization of Franchise from
the Ministry of Finance to the SALFA Transit Service. Transit Service can be reached at the following telephone number: 22 286.52. Ask for Transit. Their e-mail address is:
In the case where the recipient does not receive Franchise, SALFA will advance the customs fees in order to open the container. SALFA will then hold all items until the recipients financial status has been resolved. It should be noted that SALFA will also hold items for those who have not completed their shipping payment to SOA.
Timing and Opening
It takes about three months for a container to travel from Brooklyn Park to Antananarivo, Madagascar. Assuming the paperwork is completed and the wheels of the Malagasy government are turning, the containers are
generally opened approximately 7 days after arrival in-country. When SALFA Transit Service has a clear idea of the time and day of the opening, they will contact all recipients so that those who have no
outstanding financial obligations are able to collect their items directly at the time of opening. SALFA opens all container at our "Container City" located near the Ambohibao Hospital. It is actually
located in the quarter called Andranoro. If you need directions to Andranoro Container City, please
Other Information
1) Pack items in heavy cardboard boxes. Seal well, especially the bottom. 2) Number the boxes. Keep track of the contents of each.
3) Write the name of the recipient on each box. 4) Ship the boxes to:
SOA |
5) Instruct your shipper to write on the shipping papers to deliver Thursday afternoon between 2pm and 5pm. For large shipments, you also need to call us in advance.
6) Send us your mail address so that we can send you the shipping form that must arrive at our address by mail or fax (4401 Estate Drive, Brooklyn Park MN 55443), before the shipment.
You may also e-mail the information, but must include the following information:
|
|
Sender's name and address |
this is who the shipment was packed by. |
Billing name and address |
if different than sender- who will pay the shipping charges? |
Recipient's name, address, and phone number in Madagascar |
this if for SALFA Madagascar for contacting the recipient. |
For each box, the following information: Dimensions in inches |
|
Example:
|
|
Sender's name and address: |
Odell Krohn |
Billing name and address |
First Lutheran Church |
Recipient's name, address, and phone number in Madagascar |
Tom Krohn |
For each box, the following information: Dimensions in inches |
Box 1 H=12 W=13 L=22 Wt=45 office supplies $45 Box 2 H=11 W=21 L=17 Wt=26 used clothing 35 |
If you have any questions, contact us at SOA via one of the following:
Phone:
763-560-6876
Fax: 360-237-3431
E-mail:
soamail@comcast.net
If you have any questions regarding containers already sent, please contact Mr. Lanto of the SALFA Supply Service. He has at his disposition the packing lists and other information.