Shipping Procedures: Less than Container Load (LCL)
When shipping goods by ocean freight it is helpful to follow a set of procedures which together help to achieve the best results in the most cost-efficient manner. Following is our recommended process for shipping goods by ocean freight as LCL– Less than Container Load:
- The shipper contacts his agent to move the goods
- The agent arranges to ship with a co-loader (groupage company)
- Bill of Lading instructions are sent to the co-loader for them to produce the Ocean Bill of Lading
- The co-loader will raise an Ocean Bill of Lading with the shipper being the agent at the originating port and the consignee being his agent at the destination port
- The agent will raise a House Bill of Lading with the shipper being his client and the consignee being the importer in the port of destination
- Once the goods have sailed, the agent in the originating port will send to his agent at the destination port a pre-alert consisting of: Ocean Bill of Lading, House Bill of Lading, an invoice and any supporting documents
- The co-loader in the port of destination will contact the agent in the port of destination with arrival details
- The agent in the port of destination will take control of the shipment and customs clear and arrange delivery to the importer.
