- Are you interested in joining the Shipping and Freight industry..??
- Are you new to the Shipping and Freight industry..??
- Are you already in the industry and looking to enhance your knowledge further..??
- Are you looking for resource material to use as a reference guide in your day to day work..??
- Are you looking for Shipping and Freight information..??
Then, you have reached the right place..
Welcome to this Shipping and Freight resource.. This is an educational site that endeavours to explain and discuss interactively, practically and in simple terms, the processes and procedures involved in the shipping and freight industry..
I believe that this site will provide a great platform, specially for young newcomers to the shipping industry, to understand how things work within the industry, and also benefit the people already in it, to enhance their knowledge..
This blog covers a variety of topics ranging from imports to exports to hazardous goods to types of containers to types of ships, and provides information of interest relating to the shipping, freight, container and martime industry..
For example, you can learn here in clear and simple terms :
- what is a container
- what type of container is used for what cargo
- what documents are used/required for which activities
- why they are used and
- what happens if the correct information is not provided
- which types of ships are used for which cargoes
- etc etc etc – there are a lot more useful items that are covered in this site
Hover over the Topics menu to view topics listed per month, per post and per category.. The easiest way to look for an article is to use the Search field..
Subscribing to the blog by inputting your email id in the field provided and clicking on the Yebo, Sign me up button on the side bar will ensure that you get your updates regularly as and when new articles are updated..
Apart from above, you can have fun Playing some Shipping related Games, view some Useful Information like user manuals, participate and vote in some Polls relevant to the shipping industry.. You can also view the latest Shipping News & Views..
This is an interactive site, so if you have any comments, suggestions, ideas, i would encourage you to please comment on the individual articles or just mail me.. Make this your “go to” site for shipping and freight related information..
Bookmark this site (Ctrl+D for PC and ⌘+D for Mac) and visit it often..
Hi Marlene,
Sorry I know it’s a bit late to reply but my excuse is I only got to this blog today first time. You need to be safe all the time when it comes to dealing with overseas companies, it’s always better to meet reps of the company that you intend to do business with because you don’t want to deposit you hard earned money to someone or “fly by night” companies that dissapear as soon as they receive your eft. It’s always best if you go to the country and visit the supplier and if you can’t afford to do that then it’s best that you search the company on the net, check their history, their contact details should be on their website (some of them you can view their factory on the net) make contact (trust me most of them are happy to reply within 24hrs specially china) request sample/s to be sent through, if you happy with their product then order. From this side you need to get an agent who (Clearing&Forwarding co.) that will need your documentation and the same C&F should have an agent from where you goods originate, they should on your behalf take care of the rest.
Hi Marlene
We were in the same boat as you. Trust me, the importation of goods can be quite daunting to those who don’t know what its all about! You are also correct about the “small fry” status that some shipping and custom clearing agents hang around our necks…
After a long search, one of my friends referred me to a company called XDP Clearing and Forwarding.
They are based in Cape Town, and have a mentorship program for incumbent importers/exporters which should help you really well………You can contact a Chris or Gerald there… Good Luck
Hi Manadiaar,
I would be so grateful.
Firstly, I am absolutely stupid when it comes to using the internet so I hope this is the correct place to ask a question. Basically, I was in london in December and saw a product that I would really like to import to South Africa. I sourced several Chinese manufacturers but really am clueless as to how to get started. Idon’t have a huge amount of money to invest but truly believe this product will work well.
Questions: Apart from travelling to China how do I know that the internet site is reliable and how would I begin to know the quality of the product is I am buying “blind” so to speak?
I assume from reading posts in your blog, I then go to SARS to get the necessary documentation.
How is payment made to the Chinese supplier?
I also assume that in order to find a shipping/clearing agent I would source this on the web?
Again I will be considered “small fry” to these companies, so need to go somewhere where I will be respected and not treated with disdain because I am not “big” enough for them. Can you receommend or is that unethical.
I have heard so many horror stories and really cannot afford to be ripped off but I dont want this to stop me from starting something that I would really like to pursue.
Please could you take the time to explain step by step
Thanks…. very much.
Interesting and informative blog. It would be nice if we could have a reciprocal link. My Marine Cafe Blog is just over a year old and I would like very much to connect to other maritime bloggers. Please check out my blog and let me know if you’re interested.
This is a great blog! Congratulations!! Please can u explain more detailed about the documents like Packing List, Comercial Invoice, etc.. Its just that i think that they are quite important too, and could be a great cpmplement to the blog
Hi Michelle, that would be any duties and taxes levied by SARS at the time of shipment.. Also depends on the cargo in question..
What charges are covered under the terms “duties” and “taxes”?
Hi, sorry are you asking a question or telling us..??
whats the best form of formal education in shipping that can really get you places is ICS
I cannot believe how your Blog has grown – well done and I hope you continue to teach usu.
What a great blog! I’m new to blogging and frankly did not know it could be so interesting and informative. This one is the best! I’m going to follow this blog for a long time……. Thanks Hariesh!