FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS

Firstly, you have to advise the terms of sale (FOB, ExWorks, C.I.F etc) in case of ExWorks we need to have the collection address in the country of export/sale. Next we need to have the volume (in cubic metres), the weight and commodity you are looking to ship. In case of oversized items we need to know this beforehand. Similarly, same information is needed for the exportation of goods

Simply contact our offices either via the online form or by telephone advising us the contact details of the supplier for import / consignee for export, the terms of sale and the shipment particulars. In case you are exporting, you will have to fill in a shipping application available online but also through our office.

Insurance can be a life saver. It costs so little and yet can offer such assistance at times of trouble. We would advise insuring your goods at all times, this is why we maintain an insurance department with experienced personnel to guide you through the process.

B.A.F stands for Bunkers Adjustment Factor effectively an adjustment in shipping charges to offset price fluctuations in the cost of bunker fuel.
C.A.F stands for Currency Adjustment Factor and covers the appreciation of currency usually quoted as a percentage of the ocean freight.

The document issued on behalf of the carrier describing the kind and quantity of goods being shipped, the shipper, the consignee, the ports of loading and discharge and the carrying vessel. A memorandum or acknowledgment in writing, signed by the captain or master of a ship or other vessel, that he has received in good order, on board of his ship or vessel, therein named, at the place therein mentioned, certain goods therein specified, which he promises to deliver in like good order, (the dangers of the seas excepted,) at the place therein appointed for the delivery of the same, to the consignee therein named or to his assigns, he or they paying freight for the same. Or it is the written evidence of a contract for the carriage and delivery of goods sent by sea for certain freight.
A bill of lading ought to contain the name of the consignor; the name of the consignee the name of the master of the vessel; the name of the vessel; the place of departure and destination; the price of the freight; and in the margin, the marks and numbers of the things shipped.
The bill of lading is assignable, and the assignee is entitled to the goods, subject, however, to the shipper’s right, in some cases, of stoppage in transit.

– House bill of lading: It is the document issued by the freight forwarder to the shipper giving the detail of the consignment to be carried to the destination country.
– Master bill of lading: It is the document issued by the original carrier or the liner to the freight forwarders giving the detail of the cargos to be carried by the liner.
– Through bill of lading: A document that establishes the terms between a shipper and transportation company covering both the domestic and international transport of export goods between specified points for a specified charge.
– Express bill of lading: It is a document required for the express delivery of the consignment .The original bill of lading is not required in this case which is surrendered at the load port.
– Switch bill of lading Often called “the trader’s second set” and intended to replace the first set of bills of lading issued. Usually used where a seller/trader wishes to keep the name of his supplier, named as shipper, secret from the ultimate buyer of goods. Due care and consideration must be exercised when issuing such bills of lading because of inherent exposure to fraud/conversion of factual data.

For the transport of dangerous goods, materials or articles, the International Maritime Organisation has classified them in 9 classes:

– Class1: explosives,
– Class2: gases,
– Class3: flammable liquids,
– Class4: flammable solids,
– Class 5: oxidizing substances organic peroxides,
– Class 6: toxic and infectious substances,
– Class 7: radioactives material,
– Class 8: corrosives substances,
– Class 9: miscellaneous dangerous substance and articles