31 Jul, 2024
Posted by jeenalogistics
ocean freight
Shipping goods in bulk or less quantity can be daunting for any company primarily because ocean freight requires a lot of documentation clearance. We are here to help you with some tips and tricks to ship your goods through ocean freight effortlessly.
Hope this helps!
Tips and Tricks
- Be Cautious of Hidden Charges
Most companies in the import and export business complain that they have been charged exuberantly during the process of customs clearance. Well, most pricing changes happen as the details mentioned in the original document differ from the actual shipment. Hence, companies need to avoid wrong measuring systems.
One needs to double-check the labeling done on the packaged goods by the warehouse team. Companies need to ask the warehouse team to correctly weigh the cartons and keep a professional packaging list ready with the total size of the pallet and the cartons separately. This will make the process much smoother and reduce the chances of discrepancies during the customs clearance process.
- Maintain an Organised Document Folder
Companies need to maintain an organized document folder encompassing certificates of origin, packing lists, invoices, etc. Legal documents, invoices, and certificates are significant for importing goods. Having the right document organized before approaching the customs clearance office saves a lot of time and effort. Companies should carry commercial invoices that mention HS code, price, price of unit, etc. These are imperative details to showcase during the time of customs clearance.
- Approach a Customs Clearance Agent
Even though you can fill in the ocean freight customs clearance form yourself with some research and guidance, it is always best to have a customs clearance agent in contact for expert advice.
The most difficult part is filling in your product's HS code. There might be 2, 3, 4, or even 10 HS codes that apply to your shipment, you just need to ensure that you have lower import duty attached to it. To understand this, you will first require a customs clearance agent by your side. Once you can understand the process and the detailing behind the HS codes, you’ll be able to complete customs clearance documentation effortlessly.
- Plan for Worst Case Scenarios
?Don’t always trust the shippers when they mention an estimated time of delivery. It is not always possible for your shipment to reach its destination in the earliest quoted window. There will always be delays, especially in ocean freight. Hence, plan a little prior to the decided date to ensure that the shipment reaches its destination within the decided window.
Conclusion
To conclude, we would like to appreciate your effort to learn, make an effort, and complete the customs clearance process solely by yourself. Having said that, we recommend you keep a freight forwarder or customs clearance agent by your side to ensure no loopholes in the report.
Jeena & Company is a pioneer with 124 years of experience in customs clearance. Our seasoned team of professionals guides you with end-to-end process information and quick documentation that helps you and your customers with the smooth transit of your shipment with seamless tracking, ensuring safety measures.
Click here to learn more about our Customs Clearance services.
