Ocean Freight Shipments
Forwarding goods on ocean container ships is the most cost-effective method of transporting bulk cargo between two distant locations. While ocean forwarding takes longer than air cargo, many find that this mode of transport is the best way to transport non-time-critical goods.
The Step-by-step Process
1. Pack the goods
When shipping to overseas locations, many shippers don’t realize the conditions that their cargo goes through in the process. Here are some things to look out for:
- Pack your goods in safe, reliable, and secure, commodity-specific packaging.
- Use strong, rigid boxes with flaps intact.
- Remove all previous labels, hazardous materials, and unnecessary items from your boxes.
- Wrap fragile goods in bubble wrap or cushioning. Fill the box with foam peanuts.
- Use strong tape, designed for shipping.
- Use sturdy wooden pallets.
- Use steel or poly strapping.
- Label each box and pallet in your shipment.
2. Load Shipping Containers
Once you’ve safely packed your goods and sent them to the shipping warehouse. Whenever there, the boxes and pallets are packed into ocean shipping containers.
The standardized nature of these containers allows them to be easily loaded and unloaded. Depending on the size of your goods or the number of boxes/pallets, they may be consolidated in a container with the goods of other shippers/entities.
Once the container is full, it will be sealed and delivered to a bonded warehouse for exportation.
3. Load Containers on Ships
Once operations at the bonded warehouse are completed, the containers will get loaded on a container ship. After this, the ship will make its journey from the country of origin to the destination location.
Upon reaching the destination port, the ship will be unloaded and the containers will get stored in shipyards. The contents of these containers will then be made ready for ground shipping into final locations.
4. Deal with Customs Requirements
When preparing to ship your goods overseas, you must consider the important requirements and regulations of Customs Authorities overseas. In such a case, you must always file the proper paperwork and provide required documentation to make sure that your goods aren’t flagged, randomly inspected, or delayed due to non-compliance.
Common Documents Needed for Ocean Freight Shipping
- Ocean Bill of Lading
- Commercial Invoice
- Certificate of Origin
- Inspection Certificate
- Destination Control Statement
- Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED)
- Export Packing List
- ISF
- Letter of Credit
