Conditions for international container shipping

I. Shipping Range:

Imports from major world ports to Chinese ports (Tianjin, Shanghai, Dalian, Guangdong, Qingdao, etc.); conditions for international container shipping, and exports to worldwide ports via Chinese ports.

Container Transportation: Container transportation primarily refers to liner shipping. Its features include:

1) Fixed routes, schedules, ports, and rates.

2) Freight includes loading and unloading charges, with the carrier responsible for the cargo's loading and unloading.

3) Carriers and shippers do not calculate demurrage and dispatch.

4) Seamless transfer from one mode of transport to another is possible without contacting or moving the contents within the container.

2. Goods can be loaded from the factory or warehouse of the inland consignee and transported via various modes such as sea, land, and air, directly to the consignee's factory or warehouse, achieving "door-to-door" delivery without the need for transshipment or unpacking along the way.

3. Guaranteed cargo quality.

4. Generally, a carrier is responsible for the entire transportation process.

Section II: Container Specifications: Primarily 20' and 40' standard containers

1) The 20′ TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit) has a volume of 32.88 cubic meters (standard container), dimensions of 5.904x2.34x2.38, a self-weight of 2.5, and a carrying capacity of 17.5 tons.

2) The 40" TEU has a volume of 67.2 cubic meters, dimensions of 12.192x2.434x2.591, a self-weight of 4 tons, and a carrying capacity of 25 tons.

Three transportation methods: (1) Full Container Load (FCL) (2) Less Than Container Load (LCL)

1. Container cargo packing methods: Currently, there is no universally accepted and effective practice for container transportation on an international level. However, in the handling of specific container business, the approaches of various countries are generally similar. Here is a brief introduction based on the common practices of container business internationally.

2. Goods are categorized based on quantity into Full Container Load (FCL) and Less Container Load (LCL). LCL shipments are charged by cubic measurement.

3. Container cargo delivery methods are categorized as:

1) Full Container Load (FCL/FCL)

2) Less Than Container Load (LCL) Shipment & Container Unloading (LCL) Receiving

3) Full Container Load (FCL) / Less than Container Load (LCL) delivery and collection

4) Consolidated shipping (LCL) and full container load (FCL) reception.

4. Container cargo delivery locations are categorized as:

Door-to-Door

2) Door-to-Door delivery

3) Station-to-Station

4) Door-to-Door Service.

Section 4: Container Classification

Based on the nature of cargo loading and transportation conditions, containers are categorized by use: 1. General cargo containers; 2. Insulated containers; 3. Special containers.

After the shipping company's container arrives at port, there is a 7-10 day free period. After 10 days, the charge is USD5 per day for a 20-foot container and USD10 per day for a 40-foot container. The charge doubles every 10 days thereafter.

V. Freight Payment

According to the trade terms, freight payment can be divided into pre-paid and collect.

Prepaid Freight: Freight must be paid prior to the issuance of the bill of lading. The trade terms are CIF and CNF (booked by the exporter).

Freight Collect: Payment of shipping fees before goods are delivered at the port of destination.

Freight charges are calculated in US dollars. Renminbi (RMB) charges are converted to US dollars when submitted to the shipping company.

Six: Transportation Procedure

1. Receiving Customer Inquiries: When customers inquire about export services from domestic to major ports worldwide, as well as import transportation from various international ports to Chinese ports, the following information should be understood.

1) Product name and quantity of goods;

2) Shipping Methods: Full Container Load (FCL) and Less Than Container Load (LCL)

3) Port of shipment and the destination port in the country of arrival;

4) Estimated shipping time

5) Company name, contact person, phone number, fax, telex, etc.

6) Trade Method: Import or Export

Upon learning about the shipping situation, we informed the client that, based on the provided information, the freight forwarder will promptly quote the sea freight rates. Should the goods require transshipment, we will also provide the client with the customs clearance and transshipment costs.

When customers inquire about shipping costs for container transportation, the freight forwarder first contacts the shipping company to: 1) obtain a quote 2) negotiate and confirm with the customer 3) book a shipment 4) pick up the container, load the cargo, and proceed to the designated port yard as per the shipping company's instructions, with customs clearance and cargo assembly occurring simultaneously 5) issue a bill of lading upon departure of the ship 6) hand over the bill of lading to the customer.

2. Export business trade terms mainly include: CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) and CNF (Cost and Freight).

3. Quotation

Please inform the International Logistics Department promptly upon receiving customers' inquiries, and provide quotes once the pricing has been calculated.

Section 7: Customs Declaration Procedures

Export documents required include: customs declaration authorization, inspection authorization, customs and inspection forms each, shipping agency authorization (basis for booking), contract, invoice, packing list, and for equipment (requiring a mechanical and electrical certificate), as well as certain products (requiring a license), and export settlement forms. One month after customs declaration, promptly return the customs declaration and settlement forms to the client.

2. Import trade terms include CIF, CNF, and FOB (FREE ON BOARD). Required customs documents for imports are: customs agency authorization, inspection agency authorization, contract invoice, packing list, tax exemption certificate for duty-free products, and import and export approval for equipment. The customs declaration copy should be promptly returned to the client within half a month of completion.

Eight: Forwarding Services

Following the completion of customs clearance, prepare the forwarding method according to the unloading location specified in the contract and the customer's requirements, especially for rail transportation: apply for the rail car plan in advance, complete the declaration procedures based on the ship's arrival time and railway regulations, and contact the port business department after the rail car is approved. The port business department will then make the loading plan based on the completed customs clearance. For the conditions of international container sea transportation, arrange vehicles for goods requiring road transportation after customs clearance, based on the customer's delivery location.