FAQ: What can I do to prevent delays in my import / export shipment?

  

 Email Article  

Tweet  

  

  

 delicious  

  

  

Q: What can I do to prevent delays and ensure a smooth process of the shipment?

A: Make sure your supplier overseas (on imports), or if you are the supplier for an export shipment, creates all of the necessary documents correctly and in a timely fashion.  This includes:

• Packing Lists
• Commercial Invoice
• Original Bill of Lading - OB/L

This ensures that all documents are provided with the necessary banks and sent to you (the importer) or your buyer-consignee on the B/L (if you are the exporter) at least 1 week before cargo arrives at the destination.

                                                                                        (Photo from China Dilemma Consultation)

This simple steps will allow everything to be processed through customs ahead of schedule and freight can be paid along with presentation of the original B/L. 

One factor that usually slows this process down is when there is discrepencies between the buyer and supplier and since the goods are not paid for, the OB/L has not been surrendered by the Supplier to the Consignee (buyer).