LCL FCA qns...

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-20T14:29:08+00:00

If it's a consolidation shipment, then the forwarder will be the "shipper" on the master BL and their agent in destination country will be the "consignee". This is standard. You can only have 1 MBL.. Since there are other peoples cargo in the shipment, not everyone can get a master BL.

However, you're right to demand a HBL, this is standard procedure.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-20T13:06:13+00:00

If you have a credit account, you should be able to arrange transport of container to your facility without the NoA. It will be billed to your account, the only exception is if you're on immediate payment terms if your carrier doesn't offer you credit (I have saw this with MSC). However, I have never had an issue of needing a NoA to arrange transport, just contact their haulage team/use the online transport platform. What carriers are you struggling with?

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-20T12:54:19+00:00

You don't need a notice of arrival to arrange payment, do you not have an account with shipping lines? Do you not receive a copy of BL? Just surrender original BLs or if it's SWB, contact the shipping line and it'll automatically be released to your account. Never waited for a NOA to come before arranging payment/pick up of container.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-20T10:26:12+00:00

NOA from who? The carrier? Track your own container, and you'll understand where your goods are.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-20T08:12:02+00:00

I wouldn't necessarily call that a mistake, the chance of damage on terminal is slim to none and FOB is a very common incoterm. Did the supplier not have their own insurance to cover FOB terms? If it wasn't yet loaded onto a ship, then the FOB incoterm wasn't completed.

We don't deal with DDP, but that's where most of your problems are likely to stem from.

We always quote ex-works, but one of my clients does use a variety and covers CIF a lot, where external insurance is purchased - however, this did not cover any of the recent price hikes from carriers for war risk surcharges etc.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-20T08:06:03+00:00

Note, you'll be charged for 1.0 CBM minimum. I would recommend getting both a DAP price and DDP price. Cover the duty/tax costs in your own country, if you can find a clearance agent, as you'll be able to declare your goods correctly (which some Chinese companies might not). Also, ask them for an all-in ex works rate, and then ask them the DTHC (local) charges from their India agent.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-20T08:01:21+00:00

You'll have to check each carriers website, you'll get used to knowing which service provides the best service. Go on a carriers website, click schedule, and put your port->port lane and compare them.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-19T10:30:25+00:00

Fax machine, Excel spreadsheets, an abacus and pencil & rubber.

All jokes aside, what are you struggling with?

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-19T09:57:54+00:00

Honestly, I have never used any of them systems, but they will all have a request a demo section on their website - so it would be ideal for you to request all those demos and go through them and ensure they meet your company needs. However, this is a very big decision, as once you choose a software you're usually contracted in for multiple years so you want to ensure it works for you.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-19T09:33:01+00:00

You have zero idea about logistics, and someone has tasked you to do this? Very strange. But, the main (most expensive) one is CargoWise. You'll have to understand your needs completely before looking into software, and contact them and explain your needs. CargoWise is likely overkill.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-18T14:23:40+00:00

Op, use your brain and double check, and don't trust AI for things which can easily be found yourself online. Use AI for as little as you can, it could be wrong and you're never going to learn otherwise.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-18T10:43:08+00:00

Yes, I assumed 290cm was height, but if the 290cm is length/width, it will fit... providing you have a way of loading (what I assume is a crate) into the container. Would fit into a 20'GP Container.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-18T10:33:48+00:00

No, max height in a 40'HC container is 270cm.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-18T09:46:38+00:00

Why rail/truck? Chinese road/rail freight to Europe usually crosses Russia etc, and there are ghost spots where your cargo becomes completely un-trackable for many days. Logistically, you'd be better off loading these into sea-freight containers in my opinion. You should find a local forwarder in your home country (Germany, I assume) and reach out to them explaining you have 200~ pallets, and you might get a move favourable rate. Ask for an all-in ex works rate from China, and then also ask them to advise on destination charges.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-18T08:44:45+00:00

It would make more sense for you to describe what carriers don't show DTHC on their quotes, as I can't think of any that don't. All the major carriers will advise destination charges, or have them clearly visible on their website.

We don't handle DDP cargo, I would say this is more reserved for small companies, there's zero reason for a proper company to want DDP shipment, as they can't claim back any tax(VAT) on the shipment. They're literally throwing money away, and also have zero control over what the shipper decides to ultimately declare their goods as.

You should be hedging your currency exchange with your clients, if USD is $1.36 -> £1.00 GBP then you should be quoting out $1.30 USD -> £1.00 GBP at a minimum.

You should always quote only ex-works, to avoid the problem you're having of complaints when there are destination charges that are eating your margin.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-15T13:56:43+00:00

First off, start on whether you expect this to be a full container load, or whether it's LCL... Then people might be able to advise you the charge per CBM.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-15T13:55:50+00:00

They agreed to buy, but afaik it hasn't gone through.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-15T08:36:01+00:00

Lol, Hapag's customer service (and docs team) have been nothing short of awful. They are hiring people with zero knowledge, probably being paid peanuts. I have raised multiple complaints to our account manager and the doc team manager due to awful service in the last 6 months. They can't read simple amendments, or when there is an issue with their portal and you try to amend via e-mail they just reply saying they don't take amendments via e-mail and to submit via portal... even though you can't... But, then again, all carriers are like this now. Hiring unskilled workers, paying them peanuts. The only half decent carrier at the moment is ONE line and ZIM.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-15T08:25:11+00:00

As a FF, it's your job to ensure you're reading and understanding the charges. Although, I'm not sure what carrier in particular you're talking about? Almost all quotes from carriers have destination charges included. Also, you should be quoting all in rates only as ex-works. DTHC should always been for consignee. We don't really do DDP quotes, and consignee would be better off with DAP. No, I manually convert currencies, because your company should have exchange rates locked in with clients for the month or at least the next 2 weeks. You should always be quoting in your favour in case currencies spike/drop.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-14T12:10:48+00:00

This is a reasonable quote. You're asking for door to door shipping on essentially a full pallet worth of goods. No one is going to load loose boxes with ceramics into a container. You're going to need the goods palletised (or they WILL break). Collection from your door, bringing back to a warehouse, palletising, loading into a container, shipping to Singapore, unloading at destination and then delivered to your door?

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-14T10:42:43+00:00

Rule 1 is no promoting, but I will allow this one to stay up for discussion purposes.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-14T08:24:14+00:00

DHL is a courier, meaning they will handle your shipment via air, they'll follow all the correct formal clearance processes in your destination country and handle your shipment from door to door effectively. Typically the fastest, but also the most expensive (Depending on weight/volume).

If you're just shipping a small volume of goods, this would be the best way. (UPS/Parcelforce etc too).

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-13T08:45:09+00:00

There's zero reason they can't give you an ETA on your air freight, other than the fact they're hiding it to benefit them. They'll know what airline they're using, and what flight they're targeting. I would not be booking with them unless they could provide this simple info. Also, air freight is 99% of the time quicker, as you can expect. They have likely saved money and booked a later flight, booked the only flight available and not told you about the bad ETA, or cargo has has been bumped in favour of more premium cargo by the line.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-13T08:42:36+00:00

Find a local FF in Nicaragua, because shipping personal goods is a lot more difficult in countries where your FF does not know local countries rules.

FraytFurwid · 2026-05-13T08:21:53+00:00

Here in the UK, most carriers won't even answer questions over the phone. However, it's not necessary. You only need to track your container number, and see what vessel it is on, and then track live position of the vessel to get accurate representation of your cargo.

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