Transportation of Goods to Port of Shipment
Let’s learn more about Transportation of Goods to Port of Shipment. Transportation and movement of goods to the port for shipment involve following activities
- Packing, marking, and labeling of consignment
- Arrangement for movement of goods either by road or by rail
An export-worthy packing helps in minimizing freight and delivery costs. It also eliminates the possibility of the insurance company’s refusal to pay a claim in the event of a loss or damage to goods in transit. If there are specific instructions on packing in the export contract, these must be followed. After the goods are packed, the packages are to be properly marked and labeled. Proper marking helps in the quick and safe transportation of goods. Marking serves the purpose of identification of goods, handling, shipping, and delivery of goods up to the importer. Labels are either stencils or affixed on the packs which contain handling instructions. These labels are usually in the pictorial form for easy understanding of the instructions.
After the production department has completed the excise clearance and pre-shipment inspection formalities, the export goods are packed, marked, and labeled. At the same time, the export department takes steps to reserve space on the ship through which goods are to be sent. Shipping space can be reserved either through the clearing and forwarding agent or freight broker who work on behalf of the shipping company or directly from the shipping company. After space has been reserved, the shipping company will issue a document known as Shipping Order. This document serves as proof of space reservation.
Information on space reservation is given to the production department for making transport arrangements to the port. Where the consignment is sent through a road carrier, no specific formality is involved. The production department engages a reliable carrier and books the consignment to the port (generally in the name of the clearing and forwarding agent).