A shipment refers to transporting goods from one location to another, typically involving a sender (consignor) and a recipient (consignee).
Main Features of a Shipment
A shipment consists of several essential components:
- Goods: The transported items, which can include raw materials, finished products, or any other type of cargo.
- Packaging: The materials used to protect and contain the goods during transit, such as boxes, crates, or pallets.
- Documentation: The necessary paperwork accompanying the shipment, including commercial invoices, packing lists, and bills of lading.
- Transportation: How the goods are moved, such as by sea freight, air freight, land trucking, or rail freight.
Shipment Process
The shipment process typically involves the following steps:
- Booking: The sender arranges for the transportation of the goods with a freight forwarder or carrier.
- Pickup: The carrier collects the goods from the sender’s location.
- Consolidation: If necessary, the goods are placed with other shipments to optimise space and reduce costs.
- Customs Clearance: The shipment undergoes customs procedures at the origin and destination countries to ensure compliance with regulations and payment of applicable duties and taxes.
- Transit: The goods are transported via the chosen mode of transportation.
- Delivery: The shipment is delivered to the recipient’s designated location.