FAQ about transports by sea freight (S/F)
cargo weights being declared in gross-weights (GW) shown as kilogramms (KGS)
volume-weight ratio is 1:1 (1m3 = 1'000kgs)
seafreight costs are quoted as w/m rates (weight/measurement) for LCL (less-container-load),
or FCL rates for Full-Container-Load
costs and feasibility being based on general cargo
additionals such as hazardous material, temperature control or heavy lift upon request only
shipping dates are always estimates, ETD/ETA (estimated time of dept/arr)
Common international delivery terms (INCO-Terms 2020) for seafreight are FCA, FOB, CFR/CIF or DPU/DAP/DDP
recommended delivery terms - click here
for duty-free clearances, shippers to provide valid perferential customs forms (independent of a.m. delivery terms)
all addresses, packing- and vessel-details are declared on the Bill of Lading (B/L),
as well as the Port of Loading (POL) and Port of Discharge (POD)
between freight forwarders MBL (master-B/L) being issued, and HBL (house-B/L) between shipper/consignee; often the MBL being issued directly in the name of shipper/consignee.
shipper to provide shipping documents for customs clearance at destination, called CI/PL (commercial invoice & packing list)
in some countries customs clearances can be done with mail copies, without any original
preferential customs documents are required mostly as original form (approved by authorities)
such documents are for ex. C.O.O Certificate of origin, EUR1, FormA etc. (for samples click here)
the B/L is issued in 3/3 originals as a full set
one original to be presented for cargo release (1/3 orig B/L)
shippers do often release delivery against B/L copy showing "telex release" or "express release"
Between freight forwarders often a Sea-Waybill being issued, without any originals.
at POL/POD the shipments are handled by local port agents
storages at the ports as well as demurrages & detentions for containers are very expensive
tariffs and free time period depend on each port, terminal & shipping company
therefore we recommend to get handled all shipments by professional freight forwarders
carriers liability (such as shipping companies or hauliers) is restricted, as well as freight forwarders liability
coverage of transport insurance by freight forwarders only against written order
volume-weight ratio is 1:1 (1m3 = 1'000kgs)
seafreight costs are quoted as w/m rates (weight/measurement) for LCL (less-container-load),
or FCL rates for Full-Container-Load
costs and feasibility being based on general cargo
additionals such as hazardous material, temperature control or heavy lift upon request only
shipping dates are always estimates, ETD/ETA (estimated time of dept/arr)
Common international delivery terms (INCO-Terms 2020) for seafreight are FCA, FOB, CFR/CIF or DPU/DAP/DDP
recommended delivery terms - click here
for duty-free clearances, shippers to provide valid perferential customs forms (independent of a.m. delivery terms)
all addresses, packing- and vessel-details are declared on the Bill of Lading (B/L),
as well as the Port of Loading (POL) and Port of Discharge (POD)
between freight forwarders MBL (master-B/L) being issued, and HBL (house-B/L) between shipper/consignee; often the MBL being issued directly in the name of shipper/consignee.
shipper to provide shipping documents for customs clearance at destination, called CI/PL (commercial invoice & packing list)
in some countries customs clearances can be done with mail copies, without any original
preferential customs documents are required mostly as original form (approved by authorities)
such documents are for ex. C.O.O Certificate of origin, EUR1, FormA etc. (for samples click here)
the B/L is issued in 3/3 originals as a full set
one original to be presented for cargo release (1/3 orig B/L)
shippers do often release delivery against B/L copy showing "telex release" or "express release"
Between freight forwarders often a Sea-Waybill being issued, without any originals.
at POL/POD the shipments are handled by local port agents
storages at the ports as well as demurrages & detentions for containers are very expensive
tariffs and free time period depend on each port, terminal & shipping company
therefore we recommend to get handled all shipments by professional freight forwarders
carriers liability (such as shipping companies or hauliers) is restricted, as well as freight forwarders liability
coverage of transport insurance by freight forwarders only against written order