| International Shipping Costs | | | | you that particular service where you would be able |
| When you contact ocean freight forwarders for | | | | to consolidate your cargo with others which would |
| international shipping, there would be many factors | | | | reduce the overall cost for you. |
| which would decide the cost that you would have to | | | | The Documents Required |
| bear. There are mainly two elements, the actual cost | | | | When you transport your goods through ocean |
| for sea freight that would be charged by the | | | | freight forwarders, you would need a lot of |
| operator and the costs which you would have to | | | | documents, which are as discussed below: |
| bear for the clearance and handling at the ports. | | | | The first document you would need is the Export |
| The Factors Influencing the Costs: | | | | Cargo shipping Instruction which would provide the |
| There are several factors which would decide how | | | | details about your goods to the shipping company |
| the charges for international shipping would be | | | | and instructions for the shipment. You would also |
| calculated by the ocean freight forwarders: | | | | need one document from the following: |
| * The actual freight would be charged as per the | | | | * DGN or a Dangerous Goods Note for hazardous |
| standard tariff, however, the larger freight | | | | goods |
| forwarders and shippers would be able to negotiate | | | | * SSN or Standard Shipping Note for cargo which is |
| discounts. | | | | non hazardous |
| * The rates for the charter vessels would depend on | | | | Other than the documents given above, you would |
| the demand and supply conditions at the time that | | | | also need one of the below mentioned documents: |
| you charter the vessel | | | | * Bill of Lading which is issued by the company and |
| * The rates for the specific cargo category | | | | indicates that the cargo has been received. It is a |
| * The congestion charges applicable at busier ports | | | | proof of the contract and would act as the |
| * CAF or the currency adjustment factor which | | | | document of title for the goods. |
| would consider the exchange rates during transit | | | | * Sea Waybill is similar to BOL but the main |
| * BAF or the bunker adjustment factor which would | | | | difference is that it would not confer title and thus it |
| consider the fuel price changes | | | | is easier and quicker to use. This document is used |
| * The surcharges which are levied by the shipping | | | | when there is a good relationship between the two |
| lines and ports for covering the charges associated | | | | parties and when the ownership does not really |
| with regulatory regimes. | | | | change hands like when goods are being sent |
| When it comes to container goods, whether you ship | | | | between different divisions within a company. |
| a full container load would also make a difference. | | | | These were the main documents which would be |
| Most ocean freight forwarders have the tariffs | | | | required when you send cargo through ship. |
| based on the container rates which would make it | | | | However, depending on your particular situation, |
| more economical to ship the full container. If your | | | | ocean freight forwarders might ask for more specific |
| goods are less than the container load, you would | | | | documents. |
| have to find a shipping company which would provide | | | | |