A Guide to Ocean Freight Forwarders - Part II

The Costs for International ShippingHowever, if you do not have a large quantity of
Ocean freight forwarders offer helpful services forgoods to be sent, you would need to contact a
sending shipments to international locations. There arecompany which provides a less than container service
several factors which would affect the final cost thatso that your goods would be consolidated with the
you would incur. The actual cost that would have toothers.
be incurred for the sea freight along with the costsThe Main Documents
that would be charged by the particular operator areOcean freight forwarders would need a few
the two main elements which would affect the price.documents for sending your goods to an international
The Main Factors:location. An Export Cargo Shipping Instruction is the
Given below is the list of a few factors which wouldfirst document that you will need. This document
determine the charges that the shipping companywould give the shipping company instructions for your
would charge for sending shipments to internationalgoods and the other related details. You will also need
locations:one of the following documents:
* The actual freight is charged according to the* For sending out hazardous goods you would need
standard tariff. Discounts can be negotiated if youDangerous Goods Note or a DGN
are planning to send out freight regularly through the* For sending out non hazardous goods you will need
same shipping company.a Standard Shipping Note.
* If you are planning to send across goods throughYou will also need one document from the list given
charter vessels, the charges would depend on thebelow:
demand for these vessels* The Bill of Lading. This document would be issued
* The rates that apply for the cargo category inby the shipping company and would indicate the
which your goods fallreceipt of the cargo. This would act as a contract as
* The applicable congestion charges at the portswell as the proof for the title of the goods.
* The Currency adjustment factor for changes in the* The Sea Waybill is quite like the BOL. However, the
exchange ratesmain difference is that this document would not
* The bunker adjustment factor for the changes inconfer the title and hence it is easier to use. It can
the fuel pricebe used when there is a mutual good relationship
* All the surcharges charged by the ports for thebetween the buyer and the seller or in case the
regulatory regimesgoods are being sent to internal divisions of the
Another important factor which would affect thecompany.
price of the shipping is whether you are sending a fullThese were some of the main documents that you
container load or not. The tariffs are generally basedwould need in order to send freight to international
on the rates of the container so it would belocations. Specific documents might be required
economical for you to send the full container.depending on the situation.