In international shipping operations, professionals frequently encounter practical challenges that require clear solutions. This article addresses several common concerns to provide operational guidance for trade practitioners.
Certificate of Origin Timing Considerations
The familiar complaint - "The vessel hasn't sailed yet, but the CO has been issued. If the sailing is delayed or the voyage changes, this CO becomes invalid and must be reissued" - reflects a common operational dilemma. The optimal practice for Certificate of Origin (CO) processing occurs after vessel departure. This timing ensures the accuracy of vessel name, voyage number, and sailing date, preventing the need for reissuance due to information changes.
Non-Loading Certification Process
Documentation confirming non-loading typically originates from either the shipping company or the booking agent. Certain booking agents can facilitate official certification by obtaining the shipping company's stamp on these documents.
Customs Declaration Cancellation Procedures
Customs declaration cancellation and document retrieval fall under the responsibility of the customs broker. When cancellation of filed declarations becomes necessary, the original customs broker must perform this operation. Subsequent declarations must reflect the actual vessel name and voyage information.
House Bill of Lading Applications
Contrary to common assumption, House Bills of Lading (HBL) aren't exclusive to less-than-container-load (LCL) shipments. Designated cargo shipments may also generate HBL documentation. Both full-container-load (FCL) and LCL shipments may utilize HBLs depending on specific operational requirements.
Port Fee Structures in Shenzhen
Shenzhen port fees follow distinct calculation methods:
- Customs declaration fees apply per filing
- Port construction fees calculate per container
The typical fee structure includes:
- Customs declaration fee + port construction fee: approximately RMB100/150/150 per container
- Additional container/page fees: approximately RMB100 per container/page