Global Logistics Information Logistics Forwarding International Shipping Documents Import Tariff

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	Global Logistics Information - Logistics Forwarding - International Shipping Documents - Import Tariff

Whether you are importers or exporters, all international trades will involve the products that are shipped overseas, which is a rather complicated global logistics process. While shipping products cross the border, exporters and importers should have basic understanding of global logistics information and must be aware of the requirements on packing, labeling, shipping documents, import tariff and insurance. Most exporters rely on freight forwarders or global logistics forwarding agents to perform complete international shipping and logistics services because of the multitude of considerations involved in physically exporting goods.


	Freight Forwarder Global Logistics Forwarding - Logistics Information

An global logistics forwarding agent, or international freight forwarder, is an agent for exporter or importer in moving cargo to an overseas destination. Whether an exporter or importer is large or small, the weight of cargo light or heavy, a global logistics forwarding agent can take care of cargo from “dock to door,” thus freeing the exporter or the importer from dealing with many global logistics related details. The freight forward provides a series of global logistic services including advising on international shipping costs including freight costs, port charges, consular fees, costs of special shipping documents, import tariff, insurance costs and freight handling fees; preparing and filing necessary international shipping documents such as the bill of lading, and properly routing the documents to the importer (buyer), the exporter (seller), or a negotiating bank if required by the trade terms; advising on the most adequate way for the cargo to be transported; reserving and booking the cargo spaces on a vessel, aircraft, train, or truck; making arrangements with customs brokers on the both sides to ensure that the goods and documents comply with customs regulations; and providing other international shipping related logistics information.

Global Logistics Information - Import Tariff and Other Import Fees

An import tariff, or in the other word, the duty, is a tax levied by governments on the value of imported products. In addition to import tariff, sales taxes, state taxes, value added taxes, and in some instances customs fees may also be levied in certain countries. Dealing with import tariff is an essential step in global logistics or international shipping process. The import tariff is typically assessed at the time of importation along with any other applicable taxes and fees. Import tariff and other taxes significantly raise the prices of imported goods, making them less competitive within the market in the importing country. Before you import a product to any country, you need to determine the import tariff rate on your products as well as any other import fees that may be imposed by the importing country. As different countries have different import tariff codes, we advise you to seek professional advices from a global logistics firm.


	Global Logistics Information - Import Tariff - The Harmonized Tariff System

As part of global logistics considerations, its important to understand how import tariffs are assessed in different countries. The import and export codes used by many countries including the United States and China are based on the Harmonized Tariff System (HTS). The HTS assigns 6-digit codes for general categories. This 6-digit code is known as the Harmonized System number. Countries that use the HTS are allowed to define commodities at a more detailed level than 6-digits, however all definitions must be within that 6-digit framework. In the United States, the products for import and export are defined by 10-digit HTS codes. Anyone involved in global logistics should know the HTS codes as such codes have several functions in the international shipping logistics process including:

determining applicable import tariff or duty rates.

determining whether a product qualifies for a preferential import tariff under any Free Trade Agreement.

completing the Shipper’s Export Declaration, Certificates of Origin and other required shipping documents.

Logistics Information - Common Global Logistics International Shipping Documents

Listed in this section are common documents used in international trade, international shipping and global logistics. These are basic logistics information pertaining to any global trades. However, requirements for international shipping documents may vary from country to country and from product to products. It is wise to consult with professional global logistics consulting firms for country-specific requirements .

Global Logistics - International Shipping Documents - Export Declaration

The Shipper’s Export Declaration, or SED, is the basic international shipping documents required in many countries including China and the United States. This shipping documents can be electronically filed using the AESDirect online system in the United States, but it must be filed on paper in China.

Global Logistics - Shipping Documents - Commercial invoice CI and Packing List PL

In global logistics, a commercial Invoice -sample- is a bill for the goods from the seller to the buyer. These invoices are often used by governments to determine the true value of goods when assessing import tariff. Governments that use the commercial invoice to control import tariff will often specify its form, content, number of copies, language to be used, and other characteristics.

The export Packing List for international shipping typically contains considerably more detailed information than a standard domestic packing list. it itemizes the material in each individual package and indicates the type of package, such as a box, crate, drum, or carton. Both commercial stationers and global logistics forwarding agents carry packing list forms.

Certificate of Origin

As optional global logistics shipping documents in international trade, Certificate of Origin -sample- is required by some countries. In many cases, a statement of origin printed on company letterhead will suffice. Click here to download generic certificate or see Sample with explanation. Special certificates are needed for countries with which the United States has special trade agreements, such as Mexico, Canada and Israel (see more information on Free Trade Agreements).

Bill of Lading B/L

Bill of Lading -sample- is a contract between the owner of the goods and the carrier. This is the most important shipping documents in global logistics forwarding. This is a term also being used in domestic shipments. For international ocean freights, there are two types of bill of lading, i.e., "straight bill of lading" which is non-negotiable and "negotiable or shipper's order bill of lading". The latter can be bought, sold, or traded while the goods are in transit. The customer usually needs an original as proof of ownership to take possession of the goods in the global logistics process. More>>

Insurance certificate I/C

Many importers require the exporter to have the insurance coverage on the products in the international shipping and logistics process. Insurance Certificate is the shipping documents that assure the consignee of insurance purchase that covers loss or damage to the cargo during shipping. In most cases, a global logistics forwarding agent, or freight forwarder, can help the exporter to obtain such insurance coverage.

Tags: global logistics, international shipping, logistics information, shipping documents, import tariff, logistics forwarding

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