Container shipping in stages from door to door : In this article I will try to describe the main stages of the marine container transport and dispel some myths, lingers in the subject. For a basis we take the ports of Odessa and Iljichiovsk as the most technically suited. So! You have decided to deliver the goods from China. If the weight of the goods exceeds one tonne, then the only option to deliver a container transportation. How did it all begin? You should contact the company which is engaged in container freight charges and a full support of cargoes, which you must provide freight rates to date and their validity periods. For example in the month of September the rate of the main ports of China to Odessa is 1490 cu 20-ku and 2810 cu 40-ku. Rates vary greatly, and turning in a month people are often mystified as to why prices have risen so much? Sometimes hard to explain that in March 2009, our company offered to transport the container for $ 340 from Shanghai. Now charter flying up and I think in the near future cuts are anticipated. Also, you should pay attention to the number of days free from "demmyuredzha" (free time for a simple penalty after arrival) and transit time (the time of delivery to the port of destination). The average number of free days is 10 days, but there are exclusive options, for example 21 free day at the lowest price for freight. This is what we are now actually able to offer clients. There are two variants of the freight container "prepaid" and "collect in". The first provides for 100% payment, the second - on the fact of payment arrival. The price of these two options are no different, so I think the most appropriate second choice. After arrival to the port, you must pay the freight to freight-forwarding sighted attire and proceeded to registration of cargo. There is such a thing as PRR - Loading and unloading operations. In Ukraine, these services are very expensive port, for 20 '- $ 350 for 40' - $ 450. For comparison, in China - $ 90-130, in some European countries and even less. Further developments, again, perhaps for two scenarios. First - if the goods customs at you, then you will disburse all invoices and payments to Customs yourself as soon as required. Second, this is when the product is made to the company, the freight forwarder. In this case, you send her a bill of lading, and about anything without worrying about getting the goods in their warehouse. Payment after the fact to receive cargo. Myth number 1. Chartering container in China is cheaper than ours. This is not true. Perhaps she bid and will be cheaper, but the money transfer + commission to the broker and the price are equalized. The rate may not be very different, because the line here and there the same. Myth number 2. Freight must be paid prior to shipment. This is not so. You may well use the option "freght collect in", which provides for payment after the arrival of the container at the port. Myth number 3. Customs clearance takes place according to the prices in the invoice. No, customs clearance takes place according to the indicative prices of customs facilities. Suppose you have a price in the invoice at least two times less than the real, the product will not be decorated and customs will not give good without the minimum permissible price for this category.