Imagine your cargo is ready for shipment, only to encounter delays and additional costs due to a minor error in the bill of lading. Such scenarios occur frequently in freight forwarding operations. This article examines critical yet error-prone processes including bill of lading pre-allocation, customs declaration amendments, and strategies to avoid demurrage charges.
Bill of Lading Pre-Allocation and Reissuance
When modifying pre-allocated bill of lading information—such as vessel name or voyage number changes—follow this protocol: First, instruct the trucking company to reissue the port entry documents using the updated vessel details. Subsequently, file customs declarations under the revised voyage information. Requesting container substitution can prevent operational complications.
Customs declaration fees typically include only basic filing charges. However, declarations exceeding five product categories may incur additional document fees, approximately $3 per supplementary form.
Two Scenarios for Customs Declaration Amendments
Post-declaration modifications generally follow one of two procedures:
- Container not yet loaded: Withdraw the container, cancel the original pre-allocation, and reallocate to the subsequent voyage. Refile customs declarations using updated weight measurements before reloading.
- Vessel already departed: After customs closure, modify the bill of lading weight through licensed customs brokers. Shipping lines can then adjust the documentation. Some carriers may bypass the broker requirement—confirm directly with the shipping company.
Port Codes and Rollover Considerations
Using the KRPUS (Busan) port code for entries generally presents no issues. Special attention is required for rolled cargo, which indicates failure to obtain customs clearance.
Demurrage Calculations
Demurrage accrues from container retrieval date to actual vessel departure. For containers not yet ported, container substitution remains valid. Proceed by issuing new equipment orders under the corrected pre-allocation, maintaining original container and seal numbers during port entry.
Yangshan Port Specifics
For vessels docking at Yangshan, containers retrieved there must also be returned to Yangshan facilities, incurring associated port fees. Adhering to this principle prevents unnecessary charges.
Understanding these operational nuances enables smoother freight forwarding processes while minimizing errors and cost overruns.