Business Background
A Beijing-based trading company plans to purchase a batch of billiard accessories from London, UK and ship them to Tianjin, China according to its current business expansion needs. After comprehensively comparing the solutions of a number of logistics service providers, the company believes that FCL has unique advantages in the field of Full Container Load (FCL): 1. Efficient and diversified route resources, 2. Professional service capability covering the whole process of door-to-port and door-to-door, and finally decided to entrust FCL as the partner of this import transportation.
Business Process
In view of the large volume of this billiard accessories cargo, it is necessary to use the whole container transportation mode. After confirming the product specifications, quantity, packaging requirements and delivery terms with the customer, we customized a 20GP ocean freight whole container door-to-port logistics plan for the customer according to the properties and volume of the goods. The program strictly follows the customer's requirements and provides door to port service:
1. Operation at origin: pick up the goods at the factory in UK (customer provides regular packaging), we are responsible for loading the container, arranging sea transportation and export customs clearance at the port of origin.
2. Destination operation: After the goods arrive at Tianjin port, we are responsible for completing the import customs clearance procedures at the destination port.
3. Division of transportation responsibility: after the customs clearance, the subsequent domestic transportation and distribution will be arranged by the customer.
The key points and notes of the process are sorted out as follows for the reference of customers and friends with similar freight needs to avoid the minefield:
Necessary Materials and Documents
1. Basic trade documents
2. Contract: both parties need to sign, including details such as name, quantity, unit price and total price.
Invoice: provided by the foreign seller, need to indicate the mode of transaction (CIF).
Packing list: list the details of each box of goods, gross weight, net weight, volume.
Bill of lading: sea or air bill of lading.
3. Customs declaration documents
4. Customs declaration documents are declared according to the specification of cargo information.
HS Code Classification: Match the exact tax code for billiard accessories (such as cues, balls, tweeds, etc.).
Import License (if required): Some wooden cues need to apply for “Import Animal and Plant Quarantine License”.
5. Inspection and quarantine documents
6. Material statement: involving wood products (cues) need to provide the species, processing methods (whether fumigation).
Key Notes
1.HS code accurate categorization
commodity code and declaration elements to match the actual goods, documentary information to match each other. For example, the wooden part of billiard cues must provide species certification, while resin parts are not required. Some customers may not know that some accessories will be misclassified as “sports equipment” category, resulting in increased inspection rate, need to be reminded to declare with specific materials.
2. Sample test order:
Last year, Ningbo port has appeared in the billiard cloth due to moisture and mold was returned to the case of the whole cabinet. First time importers can send a small batch of samples to test the process (to save the risk of return shipment).