Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about ocean freight, air freight, customs, DDP, packing, insurance and quotations.
How is airfreight chargeable weight calculated?
The higher of actual and volumetric weight is normally used. Conversion factors and minimum charges depend on the airline and service.
China export context: How is airfreight chargeable weight calculated?
The higher of actual and volumetric weight is normally used. Conversion factors and minimum charges depend on the airline and service. Export declarations and carrier acceptance requirements should also be confirmed before departure.
Latin America context: How is airfreight chargeable weight calculated?
The higher of actual and volumetric weight is normally used. Conversion factors and minimum charges depend on the airline and service. Importer, tax ID, label and product permit requirements vary by destination and should be confirmed locally.
What are common customs documents?
Typical documents include commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, plus origin, permits, certificates, labels or inspection documents when required.
China export context: What are common customs documents?
Typical documents include commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, plus origin, permits, certificates, labels or inspection documents when required. Export declarations and carrier acceptance requirements should also be confirmed before departure.
Latin America context: What are common customs documents?
Typical documents include commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, plus origin, permits, certificates, labels or inspection documents when required. Importer, tax ID, label and product permit requirements vary by destination and should be confirmed locally.
Can battery, liquid, powder or chemical cargo be shipped?
Provide full description, composition, use, packaging and relevant test reports or MSDS for carrier and destination review.
China export context: Can battery, liquid, powder or chemical cargo be shipped?
Provide full description, composition, use, packaging and relevant test reports or MSDS for carrier and destination review. Export declarations and carrier acceptance requirements should also be confirmed before departure.
Latin America context: Can battery, liquid, powder or chemical cargo be shipped?
Provide full description, composition, use, packaging and relevant test reports or MSDS for carrier and destination review. Importer, tax ID, label and product permit requirements vary by destination and should be confirmed locally.
Is DDP available for every country and cargo?
No. DDP depends on destination rules, importer structure, cargo, tax arrangements and service coverage and must be reviewed shipment by shipment.
China export context: Is DDP available for every country and cargo?
No. DDP depends on destination rules, importer structure, cargo, tax arrangements and service coverage and must be reviewed shipment by shipment. Export declarations and carrier acceptance requirements should also be confirmed before departure.
Latin America context: Is DDP available for every country and cargo?
No. DDP depends on destination rules, importer structure, cargo, tax arrangements and service coverage and must be reviewed shipment by shipment. Importer, tax ID, label and product permit requirements vary by destination and should be confirmed locally.
Which container types are commonly used for FCL?
Common units include 20GP, 40GP and 40HQ. Open-top, flat-rack or reefer equipment may be used for special cargo.
China export context: Which container types are commonly used for FCL?
Common units include 20GP, 40GP and 40HQ. Open-top, flat-rack or reefer equipment may be used for special cargo. Export declarations and carrier acceptance requirements should also be confirmed before departure.
Latin America context: Which container types are commonly used for FCL?
Common units include 20GP, 40GP and 40HQ. Open-top, flat-rack or reefer equipment may be used for special cargo. Importer, tax ID, label and product permit requirements vary by destination and should be confirmed locally.
Should cargo insurance be considered?
Insurance should be assessed for high-value, fragile or project cargo and complex routes. Coverage, deductible and exclusions follow the issued policy.
China export context: Should cargo insurance be considered?
Insurance should be assessed for high-value, fragile or project cargo and complex routes. Coverage, deductible and exclusions follow the issued policy. Export declarations and carrier acceptance requirements should also be confirmed before departure.
Latin America context: Should cargo insurance be considered?
Insurance should be assessed for high-value, fragile or project cargo and complex routes. Coverage, deductible and exclusions follow the issued policy. Importer, tax ID, label and product permit requirements vary by destination and should be confirmed locally.
What should be checked for LCL cargo?
Confirm dimensions, weight, packaging and cargo properties. Fragile, oversized, liquid, powder, battery and dangerous goods require prior approval.
China export context: What should be checked for LCL cargo?
Confirm dimensions, weight, packaging and cargo properties. Fragile, oversized, liquid, powder, battery and dangerous goods require prior approval. Export declarations and carrier acceptance requirements should also be confirmed before departure.
Latin America context: What should be checked for LCL cargo?
Confirm dimensions, weight, packaging and cargo properties. Fragile, oversized, liquid, powder, battery and dangerous goods require prior approval. Importer, tax ID, label and product permit requirements vary by destination and should be confirmed locally.
What should be checked for wood packaging?
Solid wood packaging may need phytosanitary treatment and marking. Requirements differ for plywood, cartons and other materials.
China export context: What should be checked for wood packaging?
Solid wood packaging may need phytosanitary treatment and marking. Requirements differ for plywood, cartons and other materials. Export declarations and carrier acceptance requirements should also be confirmed before departure.
Latin America context: What should be checked for wood packaging?
Solid wood packaging may need phytosanitary treatment and marking. Requirements differ for plywood, cartons and other materials. Importer, tax ID, label and product permit requirements vary by destination and should be confirmed locally.
Which charges may change after a quote?
Fuel, peak season, capacity, exchange rate, inspection, storage, demurrage, destination and remote delivery charges may vary. Quote validity and scope should be clear.
China export context: Which charges may change after a quote?
Fuel, peak season, capacity, exchange rate, inspection, storage, demurrage, destination and remote delivery charges may vary. Quote validity and scope should be clear. Export declarations and carrier acceptance requirements should also be confirmed before departure.
Latin America context: Which charges may change after a quote?
Fuel, peak season, capacity, exchange rate, inspection, storage, demurrage, destination and remote delivery charges may vary. Quote validity and scope should be clear. Importer, tax ID, label and product permit requirements vary by destination and should be confirmed locally.
What information is needed before requesting a quote?
Prepare origin, destination, cargo description, pieces, packaging, weight, volume, ready date, Incoterms and required service scope.
China export context: What information is needed before requesting a quote?
Prepare origin, destination, cargo description, pieces, packaging, weight, volume, ready date, Incoterms and required service scope. Export declarations and carrier acceptance requirements should also be confirmed before departure.
Latin America context: What information is needed before requesting a quote?
Prepare origin, destination, cargo description, pieces, packaging, weight, volume, ready date, Incoterms and required service scope. Importer, tax ID, label and product permit requirements vary by destination and should be confirmed locally.
Why is ocean transit time shown as a range?
Schedules, transshipment, weather, congestion, inspection, customs and delivery can affect transit time, so only a reference range is shown.
China export context: Why is ocean transit time shown as a range?
Schedules, transshipment, weather, congestion, inspection, customs and delivery can affect transit time, so only a reference range is shown. Export declarations and carrier acceptance requirements should also be confirmed before departure.
Latin America context: Why is ocean transit time shown as a range?
Schedules, transshipment, weather, congestion, inspection, customs and delivery can affect transit time, so only a reference range is shown. Importer, tax ID, label and product permit requirements vary by destination and should be confirmed locally.
How are inspections or delays handled?
The provider should explain status, cause, required documents and options. Customs and third-party processing time cannot be controlled unilaterally by a logistics company.
China export context: How are inspections or delays handled?
The provider should explain status, cause, required documents and options. Customs and third-party processing time cannot be controlled unilaterally by a logistics company. Export declarations and carrier acceptance requirements should also be confirmed before departure.
Latin America context: How are inspections or delays handled?
The provider should explain status, cause, required documents and options. Customs and third-party processing time cannot be controlled unilaterally by a logistics company. Importer, tax ID, label and product permit requirements vary by destination and should be confirmed locally.