/ By tjchinafreight ivy / Cargo • Shipping

Invisible ‘killer’ microplastics

What are microplastics?

Microplastics generally refer to plastic particles between 0.33 mm and 5 mm in size [1]. Microplastics can come from a variety of sources, including microbeads from personal care products; fibers from synthetic clothing; pre-manufactured granules and powders; and fragments that degrade from larger plastic products. These smaller plastic particles can be ingested by aquatic organisms. ACC's Plastics Division and its member companies work to better understand the potential role of microplastics in the marine environment.

Multiple studies have shown that microplastics in the marine environment can absorb persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
Microplastics are small in size, but have a very large specific surface area, and have a strong ability to adsorb pollutants in the environment. Why is this?

Specific surface area refers to the total area possessed by a unit volume of material. Assuming that the microplastic is a cube, it is continuously cut, but the total volume remains unchanged. It can be found that the smaller the microplastic is cut, the larger the total contact area. The larger the contact area, the more adsorption sites, and the larger the adsorption capacity, so the microplastics have strong adsorption.

Why are microplastics bad?

We've known for years that microplastics are problematic, but a growing body of research continues to highlight just how much they affect the environment and our health. Microplastics are extremely persistent, which means it is nearly impossible to remove them from the environment in which they accumulate. Because of their persistence and the chemicals that make them up, research suggests they can be very harmful to the organisms they come into contact with, including causing reduced feeding, poisoning, and increased mortality. They also tend to facilitate the transfer of contaminants along the food chain, with potentially serious consequences for human health. Scientists warn that the situation is out of control. They found microplastics almost everywhere they looked: on mountains, in the ocean, in Arctic sea ice, and in our air, drinking water and bodies.

Where exactly do microplastics come from?

On the one hand, there is plastic waste, which is formed by physical, chemical and biological decomposition, which is secondary microplastics. Another major source is the friction particles such as polyethylene and polypropylene added in our daily use of toiletries, such as facial cleansers, toothpaste, and scrubs, which are primary microplastics. There may be more than 300,000 plastic microbeads in just one scrub. Microplastics eventually flow into the sea continuously. It is estimated that the amount of sediments on the seabed around the world has reached tens of millions of tons. It is imperative to control microplastics!

How to reduce microplastics?

Wastewater and drinking water treatment is very effective in removing microplastics. Research, albeit limited, has shown that they can remove more than 90 percent of microplastics.
But there is also a lot that individuals can do to reduce microplastics. Perhaps the most important step is to change the way we think and behave.
Modern lifestyles are full of single-use plastic items such as straws and cups. People think we use plastic cutlery for an average of three minutes at a time, but it remains in the environment for hundreds of years. Single-use plastics, including food packaging, are also one of the biggest contributors to plastic pollution.
Thinking about how plastic is made and what happens to it after it's used makes a difference.

"We need to ask ourselves if we really need to use certain types of plastic, like disposable forks," Alex said. "If we do, we need to question how we are responsible for it and how we can best handle it. It only takes a few seconds.

'An example of this is accidental littering. People might throw garbage into a full bin thinking they've done their part and the garbage collectors will take it from there, but all it takes is a gust of wind to blow it down and you've got Garbage everywhere. So while it may be well-intentioned, it is not a responsible disposal.

"Responsible disposal may be that you end up taking your rubbish home so you can properly recycle it. Every situation and individual is different.

/ By tjchinafreight ivy / Warehouse

Do you need a bonded warehouse?

What is a bonded warehouse?

A bonded warehouse is a place used to store and process goods imported into new markets. Goods stored in bonded warehouses are not subject to customs duties (a type of tax). Any applicable customs duties shall be paid when the goods are transported to the next destination. Bonded warehouses can be owned by governments or private companies, helping to improve inventory and cash flow efficiency.
Using a bonded warehouse means that goods can be moved closer to their final destination, and payment of duties can be deferred until the product is moved.

The system provides significant benefits for commercial transactions across different jurisdictions. For organizations importing and exporting goods, bonded warehouses can be used to eliminate the need to pay customs duties, further increasing efficiency.

Why use a bonded warehouse?

  • Bonded warehouses can be an ideal option for importers and exporters of certain products for a number of reasons. These include:
  • Deferred payments for such products mean that no tax is due until the item is sold, which can greatly improve a business's cash flow. In many cases, this can be between 25% and 33% of the upfront cost of imported goods.
  • If the goods are set for export, there is no duty to be paid in the UK, but in the destination country. This means double spending will be avoided, resulting in further savings.
  • Goods can be imported and stored in bonded warehouses ahead of peak season, which means they can fulfill orders without delay.
  • Many times, bonded warehouses have specialized facilities, such as deep freezing vats for storing wine or spirits.
  • Entry and exit customs documents are usually provided by bonded warehouse facilities.

If you're not sure whether bonded storage is right for your business, here are three reasons why you should consider it.

1) Improve cash flow
Delaying payment of tariffs before purchasing goods can have a positive effect on cash flow. By storing your goods in a bonded warehouse, you only pay import duties when the goods enter the UK market, so if you have any difficulties moving your goods, you don't have to pay taxes in advance. You can't guarantee the sale will pay for itself. In bonded storage, all shipments are classified as suspended duty, which avoids prepayment of duty on products that may be in stock for several months.

2) If you export the goods, you do not need to pay import tax
If you're importing to exporting to a non-EU country, using a bonded warehouse is a breeze. Storing your goods in a bonded warehouse means you don't have to pay any import duties on exported products, saving you time and money. This means businesses can avoid paying tariffs twice, often saving around 25-30%.

It's also worth noting that if your goods need to be destroyed without selling, you won't have to pay import duty on them.

3) Port-centric logistics
Most bonded warehouses are located at or very close to ports (for example, John Good has a bonded warehouse in the Port of Felixstowe), which means you can store your goods at ports of entry and distribute them when needed. This lowers costs across the supply chain due to shorter lead times, lower potential for damage, significant savings in transportation costs and lower carbon emissions.

/ By tjchinafreight ivy / Shipping • Warehouse

Bonded Factory Goods Clearance

What is a bonded factory?

A bonded factory is a bonded area licensed by the person in charge of the customs to manufacture processing of foreign and domestic goods as raw materials. The bonded factory system is one of the main export support measures of the customs rebate system. Foreign goods brought into a bonded factory, manufactured and processed while retaining customs duties. Therefore, exports can be promoted by reducing the financial burden of enterprises and simplifying customs clearance procedures to improve the international competitiveness of export commodities.

Customs clearance procedures for bonded factory goods

1. Goods shipped to bonded factories

1.1 Import from abroad

When a bonded factory imports raw materials, it should prepare a raw material import application (B6) and go through customs declaration procedures in accordance with the procedures applicable to ordinary goods. If the customs deems it necessary, it may send customs personnel to the location of the bonded factory to inspect the imported raw materials.

1.2 Import from bonded area

1.2.1 For the bonded goods sold by enterprises in export processing zones, science and technology parks or other bonded factories to the bonded factories, the buyer and the seller shall jointly issue a declaration with necessary documents (B2, invoice, packing list) to declare to the customs goods. They can apply to customs on a monthly basis for permission to declare.

1.2.2 For the goods supplied by the bonded warehouse to the bonded factory, the owner or the manifest holder shall prepare the necessary documents (D7) to declare the goods to the customs, and the warehouse operator and the customs supervisor can confirm the mark and quantity according to the customs declaration or bill of lading After that, it will be shipped from the warehouse.

1.2.3 For the goods sold from the self-provided bonded warehouse to the bonded factory, the buyer and the seller shall jointly prepare a customs declaration form (D7), attaching the documents required for the goods to be declared at the customs. Only after confirming the identification and quantity with the customs clearance or bill of lading, the goods can be shipped from the warehouse. They can apply to customs on a monthly basis for permission to declare.

1.2.4 For the goods provided by the logistics center to the bonded factory, the factory and the center shall jointly prepare a declaration form (D7) and attach the necessary documents, and the center shall declare the goods to the customs electronically. After customs clearance, the goods can be delivered. They can apply to customs on a monthly basis for permission to declare.

1.3 Imports from taxable areas

The processing raw materials sold by domestic suppliers to bonded factories need to be deducted or refunded for import duties and taxes. When the raw materials enter the bonded factory, the buyer and seller should prepare and sign the application form for import and export of raw materials (B1) together, together with the invoice, packing Form, etc., and report to the competent customs for approval. Raw materials are allowed to enter the factory and be recorded. The competent customs shall, within 20 days from the date of approving the application, approve and issue a duplicate application to domestic suppliers as export goods as evidence for applying for tax refund and tax credit.

2 .Goods shipped from bonded factories

2.1 Courtiers bound for abroad

When a bonded factory exports products, it should prepare a product export application form (B9), and indicate the page number and reference number of the relevant "Detailed Table of Raw Material Usage per Unit" in it. "With the approval of the supervisory customs, (when the customs at the export port deems it necessary, the bonded factory may be required to provide a copy of the approved list of raw material usage per unit product") or the reference number of the relevant application submitted or received to the supervisory customs, if the annex Awaiting approval and filing with customs at the port of export for customs clearance in accordance with the procedures applicable to the export of general goods.

2.2 When the bonded goods are sold to enterprises in science and technology parks or export enterprises in export processing zones or other bonded factories for further processing and export, the bonded factory that sells the goods and the buyer shall jointly prepare an application (B2) for the import and export of such bonded goods, together with Invoices, packing lists, approval documents issued by the competent department of the bonded area and other related documents shall be filed with the supervising customs or the local customs branch for customs clearance at the seller's office.

2.3 Driving to the taxable area

2.3.1 For further processing and export to export processing plants eligible for credit recording of import duties and taxes payable:

The buyer and the seller should jointly prepare an export/import application (G2) for the deep-processed products processed and sold in the bonded factory, export to the export processing factory that meets the taxable amount for record, and file with the relevant documents such as invoices, packing lists, etc., at the bonded factory. Before leaving the factory, go through import duties, credit purchase tax and release procedures with the supervision customs. Bonded factories can submit monthly reports. Import duties and taxes on credit purchases for the above-mentioned export processing plants shall be handled in accordance with the "Administrative Measures for Import Duties and Tax Credits or Refunds of Raw Materials Used in Exported Products",

2.3.2 For products sold to domestic companies:

In principle, the products of bonded factories are exported. If domestic sales are required, an application shall be made to the competent customs for approval. If the products processed by the bonded factory are approved to be sold domestically, the bonded factory alone or jointly with the buyer prepares an application for "import of foreign goods" (G2); and when the above application is submitted, the customs supervision will supplement and verify the import tariff according to the form and state of the product when it leaves the factory. The product may not be released until the factory.

Enterprises purchasing the products for domestic sale may apply to the supervisory customs to choose one of the following methods to calculate and collect the import tariffs of the products. Once selected, they cannot be changed within one year, but more than 50% of the materials used for assembly tile-shaped intermediate products are manufactured for domestic sales. product, the import duty of the product shall be levied at the rate applicable to the dutiable value of the product.

/ By tjchinafreight ivy / Shipping • Warehouse

Guidelines for Bonded Warehouses, Bonded Factories, and Export Supervision Warehouses

warehouse

Bonded supervision place is one of the important forms of customs bonded system. There are several common modes of bonded warehouse, export supervision warehouse, bonded factory and bonded logistics center. With so many similar concepts, can you tell them apart? Today, TJ chinafreight will introduce these concepts and related tax refund policies to you.

Bonded warehouse

A bonded warehouse is a place used to store and process goods imported into new markets. Goods stored in bonded warehouses are not subject to customs duties (a type of tax). Any applicable customs duties shall be paid when the goods are transported to the next destination. Bonded warehouses can be owned by governments or private companies, helping to improve inventory and cash flow efficiency. Using a bonded warehouse means that goods can be moved closer to their final destination, and payment of duties can be deferred until the product is moved. The system provides significant benefits for commercial transactions across different jurisdictions. For organizations importing and exporting goods, bonded warehouses can be used to eliminate the need to pay customs duties, further increasing efficiency. The purpose and structure of a bonded warehouse varies from country to country.

Bonded Factory

A bonded factory is a factory or enterprise that has been approved by the customs and specialized in processing and manufacturing re-exported products with bonded imported materials. The materials and parts imported by the bonded factories for the production of export products are customs bonded goods, and the customs will fully bond them. After the processed and manufactured finished products are exported, the imported materials and parts will be exempted from import duties, import value-added tax and consumption tax according to the actual consumption.

Export supervision warehouse

The export supervision warehouse refers to the special customs supervision warehouse that stores goods that have gone through customs export formalities, carries out bonded logistics and distribution, and provides marketable value-added services. Including the export distribution warehouse (storing the actual exit of the export) and the internal transfer warehouse (storing the export and internal transfer).
Bonded warehouse refers to a warehouse dedicated to storing bonded goods and other goods that have not gone through customs formalities. Including public bonded warehouses, self-use bonded warehouses and special bonded warehouses (such as liquid dangerous goods bonded warehouses, material bonded warehouses, agency sales bonded warehouses, etc.).

Inbound and outbound cargo management between the logistics center and overseas. For goods entering and leaving between the logistics center and overseas, the customs in charge of the logistics center shall implement record entry and exit management. Goods entering the logistics center from abroad upon approval by the customs shall be bonded, office supplies, transportation, transportation tools, consumer goods, etc. for self-use imported from abroad, as well as imported machinery, loading and unloading equipment, management Equipment, etc., go through relevant procedures in accordance with the relevant regulations and tax policies of imported goods. When the goods stored in the bonded logistics center leave the logistics center and are finally exported to overseas, the customs shall implement the record management.

Management of incoming and outgoing goods between the logistics center and areas outside the domestic bonded supervision area. The goods entering the logistics center are deemed to be imported, and the import declaration procedures shall be handled according to the actual trade mode and actual status of the goods; the goods entering the logistics center from the territory are deemed to be exported, and the domestic consignor shall go through the export declaration procedures, and can enjoy the refund of export goods (exemption). tax policy.

/ By tjchinafreight ivy / Shipping

What should be paid attention to when shipping chemicals?

What are "hazardous" chemicals?

Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7 (HSPD-7) directs federal homeland security activities to focus on terrorist attacks that could result in "catastrophic health effects or mass casualties compared to the use of weapons of mass destruction." (22) For the purposes of this report, a hazardous chemical cargo is a chemical carried on board a commercial vessel that, if accidentally released or burned, could in certain circumstances cause a catastrophic hazard to the public. Typically, such hazards may include poisoning, suffocation, chemical burns, or thermal burns. In some cases, a single chemical may present these hazards simultaneously. A number of federal standards identify potentially hazardous chemicals. In terms of public safety, standards are issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Coast Guard, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Comply with dangerous goods transportation regulations and follow the procedures.

In the process of chemical transportation, special attention should be paid to the relevant procedures and regulations. For example, some dangerous goods must be operated in accordance with the relevant regulations for the transportation of dangerous goods. The packaging must be secure and the label must be attached. During the packing process, try to avoid open flame and high temperature, which can effectively prevent the explosion and volatilization of chemicals and ensure the safety and health of personnel. When choosing a container, a special inspection of the container is also required. For example, whether there are cracks, or whether the door of the box can be closed tightly, etc. When carrying out international shipping of chemicals, special attention should be paid to the fact that all the goods must be put into the container, and there should be no situation where the door of the container cannot be closed or sealed.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chemical Shipping

What supporting documents are required for the export of chemicals by sea?

Generally, it is necessary to provide MSDS, shipping power of attorney, and if it is dangerous goods, it is also necessary to provide the dangerous goods packaging performance certificate, the identification report of the Chemical Research Institute, and the normal customs declaration information.

Information required for the export of chemicals (not classified as dangerous goods):

1. Before exporting, a chemical inspection report (certificate of cargo transportation conditions) should be made to prove that the goods are not dangerous goods.
2. FCL - some ships need an appraisal certificate, and some ships do not. In addition, a non-dangerous letter of guarantee and MSDS must be issued, both of which are essential.
3. LCL - non-dangerous letter of guarantee and cargo description (Chinese and English product name, molecular structure, appearance and use) are required.

Information required for export of chemicals as dangerous goods:

1. Before exporting, it is necessary to make a copy of the identification result sheet (dangerous package certificate) for the transportation and packaging of outbound dangerous goods. Of course, MSDS is also required.
2. FCL - before booking, you need to provide the above two documents to apply, and wait for the owner to review. In general, it takes 3-5 days to know whether the ship owner accepts it or not.
this product. Dangerous goods booking should be applied for 10 to 14 days in advance, giving sufficient time to both the consignor and the forwarder.
3. LCL - Dangerous package certificate and MSDS, weight and volume of goods are also required before booking.

/ By tjchinafreight ivy / Cargo • Shipping

What is the LCL loss fee?

Hamburg harbour Cargo terminal.

LCL cargo refers to the small-ticket goods that are not filled with a full box. Usually, the bulk cargo consolidation contractor collects the goods separately, and collects them at the container freight station or inland station, and then assembles two or more tickets. Within a container, it is also required to be unpacked at the destination container freight station or inland station for separate delivery.
For this kind of goods, the carrier is responsible for the packing and unpacking operations, and the packing and unpacking fees are charged to the cargo party.
In international trade, companies often fail to ship the goods due to various reasons, so they have to bear the corresponding loss of LCL costs. The most important thing is that many shippers are not very aware of these costs, so they are hard to guard against.

What is the LCL loss fee?

In the process of LCL export by sea, after 11:00 noon on the working day before the cut-off date of the order, the goods could not be shipped in time due to the reasons of the booker, resulting in the vacancy of the LCL company's space, and the LCL company sent the booking company accordingly. The fee charged by the cabin crew to make up for the loss.

How is the loss fee calculated?

Forklift handling container box loading to freight train

(1) Algorithm based on full load (standard cubic number): The calculation of the deficit fee is based on the cost of vacant space.
The specific calculation formula is: difference fee u003d booking billing cubic x (full container freight + full container shipping port cost) / standard cubic number. For example, the FCL is 2000usd (the freight paid by the LCL company to the shipping company), the port miscellaneous fee is 800usd, the container type is 20GP, the number of defective products is 8CBM, and then: (2000+800)/25x8u003d896usd.
(2) When quoting customers, it is charged according to the simple calculation rate: loss fee u003d price per cubic meter x number of invoicers of lost goods.
For example, if you quote 50usd/cbm to the customer and 5cbm to the lost cargo, you will lose the cabin fee u003d50x5u003d250usd
(3) Lost Cabin feeu003d (FCL fee/number of billing parties in the cabinet) x number of billing parties Lost goods
For example: if the cost of the whole box is 2000usd, the chargeable amount of the goods in the container is 20cbm, and the chargeable amount of the out of stock is 8cbm, then: the loss fee u003d 2000/20x8u003d800usd. The calculation results of the above three methods are different. Usually the third method calculates the least freight loss, but few LCL companies will calculate the freight loss according to the first method. Unless it is an important customer with good cooperation, the LCL company may consider the third type, or even a reduction. Lost Cabin Fee

Common reasons and preventive measures

(1) The owner of the cargo is too late to enter the warehouse or the person who temporarily cancels the shipment, but the booking person fails to cancel the booking in time. Precautions: Please keep the freight forwarder regularly in communication with the owner before the customs cut-off date and provide timely feedback. And inform the cargo owner that he has the responsibility to notify, otherwise it will incur loss of shipping charges.
(2) A larger proportion of super square/reduced square/overweight. Precaution: Please ask the freight forwarder to ask the owner of the consignment to be consistent with the actual cargo as much as possible, and notify in time if there is any change .
(3) After the goods have entered the warehouse, it is found that the characteristics or specifications of the goods cannot be carried, such as "liquid/dangerous goods/oversized and overweight items". Precautions: Please inform the freight forwarder not to accept liquid/dangerous goods/semi-dangerous goods, and oversize and overweight items must be confirmed in advance.
(4) The customs inspection resulted in the inability to ship in time. Precautions: Please ask the freight forwarder to require the owner of the declaration to be consistent with the bill, the documents and the goods. If the customs has any questions, please cooperate with the customs broker of the freight forwarding company to reply to the customs in time and clearly. What are the requirements of the customs to cooperate as far as possible to ensure timely shipment of the goods.

Prevention: Please ask the freight forwarder to require the owner to declare the same documents, documents, and goods. If the customs has any questions, please cooperate with the customs declarers of the freight forwarding company to reply to the customs in a timely and clear manner. What are the requirements of the customs to cooperate as much as possible to ensure that the goods are shipped in time.​​

In a nutshell, the most important thing for the prevention of LCL loss is to maintain close and good communication between the cargo owner and the freight forwarder. At the same time, the freight forwarder is dedicated to solving problems for the owner in a timely manner, and the owner should also trust the forwarder and meet each other frankly.

/ By tjchinafreight ivy / Shipping

Packing List Guide

What is a packing list?

A packing slip is a document that describes the contents of the shipment to the customer. A packing slip contains separate line items for each shipped item. Each line item describes the product number, product description, and quantity of units shipped. Weight can also be stated. This document is printed by the seller, who either includes it in the package or attaches it to the outside of the package in a sealed bag.
The consignee can use the packing slip to verify the contents of the delivery.

 What is the difference between a packing list and an invoice?

While similar in nature (almost identical at first glance), packing slips and invoices serve different purposes for purchase orders. A packing slip is used to represent physical goods received, where an invoice is a financial document for an order that contains information such as the selling price of each product, payment terms, payment method, and date.

In some cases, packing lists and invoices are for different people. An invoice is a bill sent to the person responsible for payment, and a packing list is sent to the consignee. If you order something for yourself, both documents will appear in front of you. However, if you buy something for someone else, you get an invoice, but the recipient gets a packing slip.

While both documents start with an e-commerce store, invoices are triggered by payment platforms, while packing slips are triggered by shipping or fulfillment technology.

Also, all businesses use invoices, but not all businesses use packing lists.

Why is the packing list important?

1.Make sure the right item is shipped to the right customer

One of the most frustrating experiences for customers is missing items from their order or not receiving the product they purchased. This negative customer experience reduces the likelihood of a business getting repeat customers. After all, no one likes receiving parts or orders or the wrong product. The cost of shipping lost or correct items eats into profits. If left unchecked, these can hinder the company's growth.
There are some great ways to help improve accuracy when picking. However, implementing a technically superior picking solution is worthless if the items are still not packaged correctly. A printed packing slip can be used as a basic but effective check during the packing process to ensure that all the correct items have been placed in the pack.

2.Items put in the package

Often, warehouse pickers collect items from multiple orders at the same time. During the packaging process, products need to be packaged for each customer. The packer will use the product list to determine which items should be packed together.

3.Identify damaged items

Packing lists help identify and organize damaged items—whether a fragile item was damaged in transit or an entire package was damaged in transit. Delivery exceptions like this will happen, but having a packing slip as a backup can help expedite refunds or resending of packages

4.Confirm receipt of all items

Packing slips are used to identify lost items and ensure receipt of all items ordered. You can think of it as a written record or record that should be included with the shipment. If your order is delivered in multiple packages, you can more easily keep an eye out for any inaccuracies if the e-commerce order tracking shows that all packages were delivered.

5.Streamline returns and refunds

Returns and refunds are sometimes unavoidable in e-commerce. But a packing list can stop this little headache from turning into a migraine. Having a packing slip can help expedite the process of refunding a customer or sending a new package if an item is damaged in transit.

Likewise, having a packing list can help customers quickly identify if a product that should be in the package is not. While they're unlikely to be happy with a lost item, at least now it's faster to spot the problem and fix a refund or send the product again.

For companies that sell fashion items or other products with a high volume of returns or exchanges, it's even more important to try to reduce the number of customer inquiries about the return/exchange process. Having a large customer support team can be costly, so clear return/refund instructions on the packing slip can help reduce the number of touchpoints the customer support team needs to be involved in.

What information is usually included on a packing slip?

1.Detailed list of shipped and out-of-stock items
A key element of a packing list is to clearly state what is in the package. It's an easy way to help packers ensure accuracy before shipping a package and help your customers quickly determine if their order was received correctly.
While customers should have been informed that one of the items they ordered is out of stock, it is best to include it on the packing list.

2.Quantity per piece
To check every item with a packing slip, it's not enough to just look at the product name or SKU, as many sellers order more than one item. The Quantity column helps reduce the length of the list so that if many of the same items are ordered, the packing list won't be several pages long.

3.Other important information
While packing slips do vary from company to company, standard practice is to include information such as shipping address, company name, purchaser's name and address, order date, and relevant contact information on the packing slip.

What is the difference between a packing list, a bill of lading, and a shipping label?

A packing slip contains information for a single customer order, while a picking list contains multiple customer orders on a single document. Pick list items tend to be ordered in a way that is efficient for pickers to navigate the warehouse. Picking with a packing list is not as efficient as a pick list, because pickers may visit the same warehouse rack multiple times while picking turns.
The shipping label allows a package to move smoothly through the supply network because it contains important information about the shipping of your order, including: its source address, destination address, tracking barcode and its shipping category.

/ By tjchinafreight ivy / Shipping

The function of the bill of lading

The bill of lading is one of the most important documents in the shipping and freight process. It is a legal document that provides a record of the transport of goods from one place to another and ensures a convenient and safe logistics process. Bills of lading can be issued by

  • Shipping agent
  • Carrier or
  • Logistics company to shipper

The bill of lading also has three main functions:

1. Proof of the contract of carriage
A bill of lading is evidence of a contract of carriage between the "carrier" and the "shipper or owner" for the purpose of carrying the goods (not to be confused with a contract of sale between the buyer and the seller).

2. It acts as a receipt
When the carrier issues the bill of lading to the shipper, it confirms that the goods have been loaded onto the transport vessel. The shipper usually issues several original bills of lading which can be passed on to different parties along the way, essentially taking control of the cargo.

3. Ownership as a commodity (representing ownership)
The bill of lading usually includes details of the consignee (buyer/consignee) to which the carrier ships the goods. However, title does not pass until the bill of lading is passed on to the receiver. The shipper may forward a copy of the bill of lading to the consignee as proof of transport, but the person holding the original bill of lading retains title to the goods. Bills of lading are usually delivered to the consignee only after full payment.

The information listed on the bill of lading can include:

  • Shipper Details
  • Recipient (Consignee) Details
  • Carrier details and signature to confirm receipt
  • Loading date
  • Port of loading
  • Destination port
  • Details of the shipment
  • Shipping terms and conditions
  • Any special shipping requirements (for example, if the cargo is dangerous)

Shipping terms and conditions are especially important because they detail who is responsible for the goods at what stage, and who is responsible for paying the freight (Incoterm for the goods). Note that the bill of lading may not detail all the terms and conditions of carriage, but at least they should be mentioned.

So among these three functions, which is the most important function of the bill of lading..??

In the container business, the following are the most common types/methods of issuing bills of lading:

  • Direct bill of lading
  • Order bill of lading
  • Bill of Lading

All of the above types of bills of lading satisfy Functions 1 and 2 – Evidence of Contract of Carriage and Goods Receipt, but only the Order Bill of Lading satisfies Function 3 – Document of Title..

Why the other two types do not satisfy function 3..?? Let me explain..

1) When a bill of lading is issued in original form to the "appointed" consignee, it is called a "direct bill of lading", and a direct bill of lading is a non-negotiable and non-negotiable document. The bill of lading stationery will not have the words Straight Bill of Lading, but may have Ocean Bill of Lading or Port to Port Bill of Lading written at the top.

Release of goods at destination can only be made to the named consignee and only after surrender of at least one original issued bill of lading. This release condition is governed by the COGSA (Carriage of Goods by Sea Act) of the relevant country and jurisdiction. .
A direct bill of lading does not satisfy function 3 (document of title) because the document is neither transferable nor transferable.

2) When the bill of lading is issued to the "designated" consignee but without any original and using sea waybill or waybill stationery, it may be regarded as a "sea waybill".. this bill of lading is also a non-negotiable & non-negotiable document..
Since the sea waybill is not issued the original, it does not need to be returned.
The ocean bill of lading does not satisfy function 3 (document of title) because the document is neither negotiable nor negotiable.

Given below are ready-made estimators as to which type of bill of lading fulfills which role (in the context of container shipping).

 

So what is the most important function of the bill of lading? ?

The answer is: no one feature is more important than the other, because each feature has its own purpose and needs.

/ By tjchinafreight ivy / Transport

Various types of bills of lading

 

In foreign trade, the bill of lading is a document issued to the consignor by the transportation department when carrying the goods. The consignee picks up the goods with the bill of lading to the transportation department at the destination of the freight. The bill of lading must be signed by the carrier or the ship to take effect. It is one of the valid documents for the declaration of goods by sea to the customs.

1. Different types of bills of lading based on negotiable and non-negotiable documents

The main difference between the two types is that the title (ownership) of one can be transferred to another party, while the other is consigned to a named party, so he/she must be the ultimate receiver of the goods, as this type of title bill of lading cannot. transfer.
Readers should not confuse negotiable and non-negotiable bills of lading with "negotiable" and "non-negotiable" copies of a signed bill of lading.

① Direct bill of lading
A direct bill of lading is designated to a specific party, and the designated party cannot reassign it to anyone else. One party only needs to pick up the goods and cannot sell the goods by transferring the bill of lading to the other party's name.
② Order bill of lading
This is the bill of lading that most people encounter on board. The bill of lading is for the consignee, or for him. That is, the named consignee will be the owner of the goods or he can order the delivery of the goods to the other party by means of a bill of lading endorsed to the other party.
An order bill of lading is a negotiable document as the title (ownership) of the bill of lading is transferable.
③Bearer bill of lading
A bearer bill of lading is a bill of lading that states that the goods should be delivered to anyone who holds the bill of lading. These documents are issued exclusively or are purchase orders that do not specify the consignee by original or blank endorsement. Bearer notes can be negotiated by physical delivery.

2. According to whether the goods have been shipped

①Shipped B/L, or On Board B/L
Refers to the bill of lading issued to the shipper by the carrier or its authorized agent on the basis of the chief mate's receipt after the goods are loaded on board. If the carrier issues an on-board bill of lading, it confirms that he has the goods on board.
②Received for Shipment B/L
It is a bill of lading issued by the carrier at the request of the shipper when it has received the goods from the shipper but has not yet been loaded on board.

3. According to whether there are comments on the order or not

①Clean B/L
Refers to the bill of lading that the goods are in good condition when loaded on the ship, and the carrier has not added any damage to the goods, poor packaging or other obstacles to the settlement of foreign exchange.
②Unclean B/L or Foul B/L
Unclean B/L or foul B/L refers to the bill of lading marked on the bill of lading by the carrier that the goods and packaging are in poor condition or defective, such as wet, oily, stained, rusted, etc.

4. According to the different modes of transportation

①Direct B/L
Refers to the bill of lading issued after the goods are loaded from the port of loading and sailed directly to the port of unloading without changing ships in the middle.
②Transhipment B/L
It refers to the full bill of lading issued by the carrier at the port of shipment for the goods to be transshipped to reach the port of destination.
③Multimodal transport document/multimodal transport document
A multimodal transport document or combined transport document is an intermodal bill of lading involving at least two different modes of transport, land or sea. However, the mode of transportation can be anything from cargo ships to air.

5. Special Bill of Lading

①Container Bill of Lading
A container bill of lading is a document that provides information about the shipment of goods in secure containers or containers from one port to another.
②Combined B/L
Refers to two or more batches of liquid bulk cargo of the same variety, quality, port of loading and unloading, but belonging to different consignees and packed in the same liquid cargo tank, and are respectively the consignee of each batch of goods Issuing a bill of lading with the seal of 'Consolidation Clause' stamped on it.
③Parcel Receipt B/L
Refers to the bill of lading issued for goods consigned in the form of parcels. This is a bill of lading set by the carrier according to the special needs of the trade, and the weight must not exceed 45kg.

/ By tjchinafreight ivy / Cargo • Shipping • Transport

ONE publishes special loading requirements for these two categories of cargo

On March 28, 2022, ONE issued a security bulletin on Special Stowage Requirement for Non-DG and Non-Special Cargoes.

ONE stated in the announcement that when transporting goods, safety is the number one priority. To ensure compliance with

global acceptance policies and safety standards, ONE verifies all bookings to ensure that all shipments are properly declared,

packed and loaded. This measure is a critical step in preventing accidents and ensuring safe handling of cargo.

 

ONE emphasizes that in addition to dangerous goods and special cargoes, the following non-dangerous goods and non-special

cargoes booked at ONE also require special loading to be loaded onto the ships of ONE and its partners.

Additionally, in order to complete the verification, the customer will be required to provide additional instructions and documentation.

This will help ONE achieve a higher standard in the safe transportation of goods.

 

ONE said it was the responsibility of shippers to declare correct cargo information and therefore reminded its customers to check that all

bookings are properly declared.