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.