Freight Checklist for Buyers International freight can be complex and confusing! That is why, CargoHound has come up with the following CHECKLIST to make sure that you have all of the necessary information about the products you are about to ship. Print it out and check off each of the items to ensure you receive an accurate quote that fits your requirements and budget.

1. WHERE: Origin Port – Where is your nearest major port for sea freight or airport for airfreight at the origin (where the product coming from). If you do not know, chose what you believe is the closest. Note: This may not be the pickup address. Origin Port

Destination Port – Where is the nearest major port for sea freight or airport for airfreight at the destination (where the product is going to). If you do not know, chose what you believe is the closest. Note: This may not be the drop off address. Destination Port

Mode of Transport – Will you be sending your products by air or sea? You need to consider how quickly you would like your goods to arrive, whether they are perishable or have a short shelf life and what your budget is (air freight is usually more expensive than sea). Mode of Transport

Freight Category – For sea freight, will you require a Full Container Load (FCL) or a Less Than Container Load (LCL) to ship your goods? Will you require the container to be refrigerated? If you are not sure, provide as much information as possible about the shipment and the Seller will let you know. Freight Category

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2. WHEN: Collection Date – What date will the products be ready for shipment? Collection Date

Delivery Date – What date would you ideally like the products delivered to the destination? Delivery Date

3. WHAT Product Description – What will you be shipping? You need to be able to provide as much detail as possible in your Quote Request. Acceptable Product Description

Unacceptable Product Description

Chemical Name NOT Brand name + ingredients +

Chemical Hazardous

Dangerous Goods Code Wood Flooring / Carpet / Plastic Flooring

Flooring

Your Product Description

Packaging – How are your products packaged and how will they be packed for shipping? You may choose to ship cartons or pallets of cartons for example. If they are not packed (e.g. loose items) how would you like your goods packed for shipment? Packaging

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Product Dimensions and Weight  The length, width and height (in centimetres) of each item you are shipping should be taken from the extremities.  If you do not have the exact weight and dimensions, you will need to provide as much information as you can about the products. It is always a good idea to take some photos of the products.  If you are shipping FCL, the dimensions are not required, only the net weight per container. What is the gross weight (in kilograms) of the item(s) you will be shipping? For Less than Container Load (LCL)/Air Shipments

Number Packages/Items

Width (cm)

Length (cm)

Height (cm)

Weight (kg)

Dangerous Goods - Dangerous goods are materials or items with hazardous properties which, if not properly controlled, present a potential hazard to human health and safety, infrastructure and/or their means of transport. Classification of dangerous goods is broken down into nine classes according to the type of danger materials or items present and you need to determine which (if any) apply to your products. Refer to this handy Fact Sheet for more information.

DG Classification

Temperature – Do you products require refrigeration? At what temperature should they ideally be shipped? Temperature

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Fragile – Are your products fragile? If so, do they need to be top stowed or are there any other special stowage requirements? Yes

No

4. HOW Incoterms - Incoterms are used to define where ownership, risk and the responsibilities of buyers (generally importers) and sellers (generally exporters) transfer throughout the shipping process. Some of the questions you should ask yourself: How did you purchase/sell the goods? What were the commercial terms of your contract? Who is responsible for the cost and risk of shipping the products to the destination? For more information refer to our handy Fact Sheet – Incoterms Explained.

Incoterms

Transport at Origin – Do you need the product picked up and taken to the port for shipping? Are you paying for this as part of your commercial terms? Yes

No

Transport at Destination - Do you need the product picked up from the destination port and delivered to the final destination? Are you paying for this as part of your commercial terms? Yes

No

Customs clearance – Do you require customs clearance for the products to enter the destination country? Yes

No

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Insurance – Do you require insurance to cover your shipment for loss or damage? Yes

No

If so, what is the commercial value of your shipment?

Commercial Value ($)

Still have questions? Call 1300 883 243 to speak to one of our friendly staff or email [email protected]

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