Especially for import, some goods will be subject to government regulations and require licenses.

 It is best to research import regulations prior to contracting any shipping. Goods can also be subject to control due to trade conventions, such as the Washington Convention (CITES), protecting endangered species such as rare essences of wood, or the Kimberley Process covering the trade of diamonds.

Before it is loaded onto its containership and after unloading at its destination port, your shipment must go through customs. Whether you are the shipper or the consignee, you will most likely be responsible for the import or the export customs clearance and the payment of duties (also referred to as “tariffs”) for your shipment.

The amount you need to pat depends on the nature of your cargo. The smooth handling of your customs activities starts with a precise description of the goods you are shipping. This is achieved through an internationally standardized commodity code, the Harmonized System (HS) Code, which will ensure that the correct duties and taxes are applied by Customs. It is defined by the World Customs Organization (WCO), and is available publicly.

Freight forwarders and carriers have limited liability for loss or damage to your goods under international conventions. In the case of an incident covered under international conventions, your compensation will be calculated against a standard negligent liability clause and not the real value of your cargo.

While every shipment is handled with great care, accidents outside the carrier or freight forwarder’s control can happen. Natural disasters such as floods are not covered by freight liability.