Faq’s

An exporter is responsible for several documents. Some freight forwarders (including us) will do much of the paperwork for a customer, but the shipper is ultimately responsible for making sure the documents are correct. The forms most commonly required for an export shipment include:
Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED) (this form is for US Exporters only), Commerce Form 7525-V: Used for compiling the official U.S. export statistics and for export control purposes. It must be prepared and submitted to a customs agent for shipments by mail valued at more than $500 and all other shipments by any other means valued at more than $2,500. The form includes details on the company exporting the product, the company receiving the goods, the product being shipped, and its value. The SED can be completed electronically by the exporter. The SED can also be completed by a freight forwarder for the exporter. Privately printed SEDs must conform in every respect to the official form. The SED can also be downloaded from the U.S. Census Bureau and printed on buff (yellow) or goldenrod colored paper. Customs will not accept SEDs on white paper.
Bill of lading: Represents a contract between the owner of the goods and the carrier. There are two types: a straight bill of lading, which is non-negotiable, and the negotiable/shipper’s order bill of lading, which can be bought, sold, or traded while goods are in transit and is used for letter-of-credit transactions. The customer usually needs a copy as proof of ownership to take possession of the goods.
Certificate of origin: Signed by the exporter and witnessed by a semi-official agency, like a Chamber of Commerce, indicates that the goods were truly produced in the country claimed by the exporter. There’s no hard and fast worldwide rule as to when a certificate of origin is required or what it must contain. Each country sets its own rules. Proof of origin is critically important when countries have reciprocal trade agreements that grant lower tariff rates to products coming from certain locations. Canada, Mexico, and the United States have agreed upon a common form and set of rules for a NAFTA Certificate of Origin.
Commercial invoice: As in domestic transactions, this invoice represents a bill for the goods issued by the seller. A commercial invoice should include a description of the goods, addresses of the shipper and seller, and the delivery and payment terms. The buyer needs the invoice to prove ownership and arrange payment. Some government agencies use the invoice to assess customs duties.
Export packing list: Itemizes the material in each individual package, and shows the individual net, legal, tare and gross weights in U.S. and metric values. Package markings should be shown along with the shipper’s and buyer’s references. The packing list attaches to the outside of the package in a clearly marked waterproof envelope. The list can be used to determine the total shipment weight and whether the correct cargo is being shipped. Customs officials may use it to check the cargo at inspection points.
Consular invoice: Required by some countries to identify and track goods shipped to their countries. Exporters purchase the invoice from the consulates of the countries requiring the invoices. It must be prepared in the languages of those countries. Your company’s freight forwarder should be able to tell you which countries require consular invoices.
Certificate of inspection: Some purchasers and countries may require these forms, attesting to the specifications of the goods shipped. Inspections are usually performed by a third party and obtained from independent testing organizations.
Phytosanitary inspection certificate: This is a formal document issued by an exporting country’s agricultural authorities to verify a shipment has been inspected and is free from harmful pests and plant diseases.

Insurance certificate: State the type and amount of coverage.

Cargo Insurance is not mandatory but to have it is a wise business decision. International cargo involves a complex chain of diverse service providers over multiple countries sometimes crossing many legal jurisdictions. The vast majority of time this process works without issues. However, if something goes wrong, it is important to have cargo insurance in place to protect your business. International cargo liability laws are complex and in certain situations shippers can become liable for losses to other shipper’s cargo under the general average rule.
Yes, we can provide a cargo insurance quote.

Through our partners, there are a number of Overseas Shipping services that Rahat offers. We can first evaluate the type of equipment required to move your cargo. We can arrange 20’ standard containers, 40’ standards or 40’ high cube containers. And if your overseas shipping needs specialized equipment, we can arrange a variety of containers as required such as flat racks and open top containers. We can also arrange refrigerated equipment for more delicate cargo that needs temperature control for overseas shipping.
Services can also be arranged if you have large, heavy or oversized project cargo. We can furnish any heavy haul equipment or machines that might be required to handle special cargo via break bulk. If needed, we can also supply Ro/Ro service, which utilizes specialized roll on, roll off ships. These special vessels allow vehicles and heavy machinery to be driven on and off for overseas shipping. Services requiring any special permits to move your cargo to the port, would be obtained by the carrier who we would contract to ship your goods. When needed, The Freight Forwarding Company can arrange to have your cargo loaded and secured by a professional packer who would ensure your load would not shift to help eliminate the possibility of damages.
We partner with a number of LCL (Less Than Container Load) consolidators for smaller cargo. Price, service and your delivery needs are taken into consideration when deciding which consolidator to use. Overseas shipping services such as export packing and container loading can be arranged.
If your overseas shipping entails the movement of hazardous cargo, we negotiate on your behalf with the SS shipping line to confirm their acceptance of your cargo. In order to determine this, you would need to supply us with the UN#, the Class# and the IMDG Code and Packing Group. In the case of hazardous shipments, the shipper is responsible by law to complete a Hazardous Declaration.

The company who arranges the transportation is in control of the routing and the costs. If the proper handling of the transportation of your equipment or goods are important to you, it is to your advantage, in most cases, to take control of these arrangements. In a lot of cases you can reduce your costs as well. The Freight Forwarding Company can manage this process for you and assist you in moving your goods in the most efficient manner and at very competitive rates. Please write to us for any consultation.

Air freight forwarding is one of the many services that The Freight Forwarding Company provides. Here are some common questions with their Answers.
Q. Can you please explain the different transit time service levels you offer for air freight forwarding shipments?
A. Same Day Service: Use this for urgent air freight forwarding shipments. It employs the fastest route your cargo can take with immediate confirmation of orders. Using a variety of charter options and on board couriers it is ideally suited for line down, VOR scenarios etc… Same day service only applies to certain geographical areas. Please contact us for more information.
Next Day Service: This service is ideal for time-critical shipments. Shipments are scheduled for the most optimal routing from airport to airport using 1st class partner carriers.
2nd Day Service: This service provides a cost-effective and timely solution. This offers a cost efficient solution for your normal air freight forwarding requirements.
3-5 Day Service: Where transit times are less critical, we recommend 3-5 day service, our most economical solution. Enjoy a lower air freight rate without compromising on service. Ideal for less critical shipments, that still must move as air freight.

Q. What is the maximum permitted size for an air freight forwarding shipment?
A. The type of aircraft used will determine the maximum allowable size. However, most air freight is shipped on passenger aircraft and it is prudent to restrict your shipment to less than 3 meters in length x 2 meters in width x 1.5 meters in height.
There are exceptions to this rule, however. It is possible to ship as much cargo as would fit into a 53 ft. trailer. However this would be booked on a special non-passenger aircraft called a combi freighter.
Please ask one of our representatives if you’re not sure. Please click here to contact a representative.
Q. How do airlines determine chargeable weight on air freight forwarding shipments?
A. Chargeable weight on air freight forwarding shipments is based on whichever is greater between actual weight and volume weight.
1. Actual Weight: is simply determined by weighing an object on a scale.
2. Volume Weight: is determined by the following formulas:
a) If dimensions are in Inches: Length x Width x Height x Number of Cartons, Divided by 166 = Volume Weight in Pounds
Length x Width x Height x Number of Cartons, Divided by 366 = Volume Weight in Kilos
b) If dimensions are in Centimeters: Length x Width x Height x Number of Cartons, Divided by 2721 = Volume Weight in Pounds
Length x Width x Height x Number of Cartons, Divided by 6000 = Volume Weight in Kilos
Q. What info do you need to provide an air freight forwarding quote?
A. In order to get the most precise Air Freight quote, we need to know where your shipment is picking up and going to, the weight & dimensions and a description of the commodity. You also need to indicate if any other additional services are needed (power tailgate, etc.) to move your shipment.

A 20′ standard dry container will generally hold about 1,150 cubic feet. A 40’ standard dry container will hold about 2,400 cubic feet. A standard 20’ container will hold approximately 21 tonnes of cargo for a maximum gross weight of 24 tonnes.

As a global shipping company we provide single source logistics to anywhere in the world. We have representation in every major trading market making us a truly worldwide shipping company. This gives us intimate knowledge of customs rules and regulations to help streamline the delivery of your cargo. We provide control and reliability of the process through our electronic online tracking capabilities and global documentation expertise.
Our experienced staff will instil the confidence you look for in a good shipping company in handling all of your freight forwarding requirements. We can provide highly competitive rates through our leveraged volume agreements. This enables you to take advantage of the marketplace whether you’re shipping one container or several hundred. As one of the leading global shipping companies we take ownership of all the logistics involved in getting your cargo on the necessary means of conveyance either by ocean, air or ground. We arrange local pick up from point of origin, arrange rail billing, rail reservations and bookings with the carriers. All details are handled to get your cargo on the vessel or the aircraft.
Importantly, in this new era where there is heightened concern regarding homeland security, there are many areas of documentation compliance that good shipping companies need to implement on behalf of their customers. Our experienced staff manages all documentation requirements to ensure your shipments meet all government regulatory guidelines and which will also help in avoiding costly delays. We have hazardous cargo and perishable goods expertise as well to help simplify the challenges of shipping these types of commodities to foreign markets.

LCL and Air Freight shipment rates are based on volume or gross weight, whichever is greater. In order to calculate the volume of a shipment, the dimensions of each piece are required. If the volume weight exceeds the actual gross weight, the shipment is rated at the volume weight. If the volume weight is less than the actual weight, the shipment is rated at the actual weight.