For centuries now, sea freight has been a fundamental component of global trade. From businesses importing and exporting goods to countries shipping large-scale commodities like oil, all can be transported via the sea route. Sea shipping is the most common mode of shipping all kinds of products from crockery to furniture. This is because of a long list of benefits sea/ocean freight offers, such as secure transportation, cost-effectiveness, fewer restrictions, and a more efficient shipment process. All these advantages make it ideal for larger goods being shipped from greater distances. It is often chosen over air freight for being more affordable, and over road freight for offering quicker international delivery across countries.
Whether you want to send a shipment by sea or are just curious about sea freight, this blog is for you. This blog explains how it works, providing a step-by-step guide.
The Detailed Process of Sea Freight
1. Request a Quote
If you want to choose sea freight for importing or exporting goods, start by finding reliable freight forwarders or shipping companies. Provide the selected ones with the basic details such as origin, destination, cargo type, weight, container type and incoterms (i.e. terms defining who is responsible for cost, shipping insurance, customs clearance, etc.). After that, the shipping companies will calculate the costs based on the information provided and give you a quote. To select the most cost-effective and time-efficient one, compare quotes from different companies and choose the one that suits your needs.
2. Consider Other Methods
Prior to booking your shipment, make sure that sea freight is the best choice for you. Consider factors like delivery time, cargo volume, and cost. If you have smaller goods, cost concerns, or time constraints, then air or road transport might be a better option for your needs. However, if you have a larger volume of goods and no time limitation, then choosing ocean/sea shipping is definitely the right choice.
3. Book Your Freight
Once you are sure about the sea freight, select the freight forwarder and confirm the booking. The freight forwarder will help you with everything from shipping details and paperwork to customs clearance; therefore, make sure you choose wisely. Once you have booked a cargo space on a vessel, you’ll receive confirmation from the forwarder or company. In the next step, the company will arrange cargo pick-up and drop-off for you to streamline the shipment process. Not to forget, the process of sending or receiving goods with sea freight can take up to 60 days.
4. Custom Clearance
Whenever your goods arrive at the port, they first go through customs clearance. The forwarder or freight company can take care of import/export customs clearance, from paying duties and taxes to submitting declarations. For example, if you’re importing a sofa set, the freight forwarder handles the entire customs process, from paying export duties at the departure port to managing import clearance upon arrival. This ensures your shipment reaches you smoothly, without delays or complications caused by customs issues.
5. Delivery of Shipment
After clearance, the goods are released and set for their final delivery. You have the freedom to choose any location for delivery, including a warehouse, a store, or your home. And with the help of a local logistics partner, the sea freight forwarder or company will deliver it to your provided destination. However, in most cases, this last step of the sea freight, from port to your provided address, can take up to several days.
Where sea shipping is very affordable, it is also very slow compared to other options. So, whenever you choose it for your import and export, whether for personal or business needs, always consider costs, transit time, and most importantly, choosing the right partner.
Sea freight involves many steps, but there’s nothing to worry about if you choose the right partners. A reliable freight forwarder can turn this long and daunting process into a smooth and cost-effective one for you, making sure your goods are delivered on time, while taking complete care of each step involved, from arranging pick-up and handling customs clearance to delivery at your doorstep.
How Cistus Freight Can Help You?
The shipment process surely seems daunting and overwhelming with all the paperwork and custom clearance challenges, but not when you have a reliable partner like Cistus Freight to manage it all for you. We offer end-to-end freight services, including air, sea, and road freight, which take the stress out of the process. Whether you want to send goods in bulk form with sea freight, need something shipped quickly with air freight, or are looking for reliable regional shipping via road, our extensive network ensures smooth transit and delivery. What makes our freight services stand out is our transparency. Our team coordinates with you on each step; moreover, with our tracking services, so you know exactly where your shipment is in real-time.
So whether you want to send or receive shipment by air, sea, or road, we’ll make it happen for you, making the whole process fast, secure and hassle-free.
Leave a reply