What are the steps involved in international sea freight export shipping?

The international sea freight export consignment work mainly includes the following steps:

1. Review the shipping terms in the letter of credit:

After receiving the letter of credit, carefully review the shipping terms, including the shipping date, exchange settlement period, loading port, destination port, possibility of transshipment or partial shipment, as well as whether the shipping company, name, nationality, and class have been specified.

Consider accepting or proposing modification requests based on policies, international practices, and actual circumstances.

2. Stock up inspection:

According to the requirements of the export contract and letter of credit, prepare the exported goods on time, with quality and quantity.

Refrigerated goods should be cooled down properly to ensure compliance with temperature requirements during loading.

Fill out the "Export Inspection Application Form" to apply for commercial inspection and obtain a qualified inspection certificate.

3. Shipment booking:

Prepare export consignment notes and handle entrusted booking procedures with freight forwarders or shipping companies.

Freight forwarders or shipping companies book cargo according to the shipper's requirements, sign the loading order, and complete the booking work.

4. Insurance:

After booking the cargo space, handle the insurance procedures for cargo transportation insurance.

The insurance amount is usually insured at a CIF markup (the markup amount is agreed upon by both the buyer and seller).

5. Cargo concentration port area:

According to the procurement notice from the port area, the goods will be transported to the port area for consolidation within the specified period and waiting for loading.

Maintain close contact with port areas, shipping companies, and other units to ensure loading progress.

6. Customs declaration work:

After the goods are concentrated in the port area, declare export to the customs and submit relevant documents, such as customs declaration, loading list, packing list, inspection certificate, etc.

Only after passing customs inspection can the goods be released for loading.

7. Loading work:

According to the stowage plan and manifest, receive and load the goods in batches.

Freight forwarders supervise on-site loading and handle temporary issues.

After the loading is completed, the tally team leader and the ship's first mate jointly sign the receipt.

8. Exchange Bill of Lading:

After the loading is completed, the shipper shall exchange the loaded bill of lading with the shipping company or its agent for the receipt of the goods.

9. Document preparation and foreign exchange settlement:

Prepare the exchange settlement documents specified in the contract or letter of credit, submit the documents to the bank within the validity period, and complete the exchange settlement procedures.

For the export process of container transportation, it mainly includes:

1. Booking:

The shipper fills out the container cargo consignment note and applies for booking with the shipping company or agent.

2. Accept consignment application:

The shipping company or agent shall consider whether to accept the consignment application based on transportation capacity, route, etc.

3. Distribute empty boxes:

The shipper goes to the container terminal yard to collect empty containers, or the freight station to collect empty containers for LCL cargo.

4. Packing:

The shipper is responsible for packing the full container load, while the freight station is responsible for packing the consolidated container load.

5. Handover visa:

After the container yard or freight station accepts the goods and boxes, sign on the station receipt and return it to the shipper.

6. Exchange Bill of Lading:

The shipper exchanges the bill of lading with the station receipt.

The above steps are the basic process of international sea freight export shipment work, which may vary depending on specific circumstances in actual operation.