How many unknown black technologies are hidden in Shenzhen sea freight agents?

Mr. Zhang's toy factory recently received an overseas order but was stuck in the complex customs declaration process; Ms. Li's cross-border e-commerce package was detained at the port for a whole two weeks due to incomplete documents... Such stories are not uncommon in Shenzhen, the capital of foreign trade. How to make the goods "sail across the ocean" smoothly? Today, let's talk about those things related to Shenzhen sea export agents.

Why do you need a professional sea export agent?

Shenzhen, as a global supply chain hub, exports more than 20 million TEUs of containers through ports such as Yantian and Shekou every year. But behind the seemingly simple "loading and shipping", there are hidden:

• Process Maze: Involving 12 links from booking a cabin, towing a container to customs declaration and loading a ship
• Document Traps: 23 types of documents required, such as bills of lading, certificates of origin, and dangerous goods declarations
• Cost Black Hole: Hidden expenses such as detention fees, amendment fees, and inspection fees

Professional agency institutions can act like a "customs clearance navigator" to help you avoid these reefs. Take a certain electronic accessory customer served by Zhongshitong as an example. Through optimizing the packing plan and customs declaration strategy, its logistics cost was directly reduced by 18%.

The Three Golden Standards for Choosing Agency Services

Facing hundreds of agency companies in the market, remember these three screening principles:

• Full Port Coverage Ability: Whether it can flexibly allocate resources of different ports such as Yantian, Dachan Bay, and Chiwan
• Experience with Special Categories: Handling cases of special goods such as lithium batteries and liquid chemicals
• Digital Tracking System: Real-time logistics visualization from the factory to the destination port

A certain cross-border e-commerce seller once shared: "The original agency we cooperated with could only provide paper bills of lading. Now, through Zhongshitong's blockchain system, we can check the real-time location of the goods on our mobile phones. Even overseas buyers praise our professionalism."

Countermeasures under the Fluctuating Sea Freight Rates in 2024

Affected by factors such as the situation in the Red Sea and the drought in the Panama Canal, the sea freight market this year has shown:

• The freight rate of European routes has increased by 120% year-on-year
• The tightness of cabin space on the Southeast Asian route has reached a new high in the past five years

At this time, the dynamic cabin adjustment ability of the agent is more needed. It is recommended that export enterprises:

• Lock in the cabin space 8 weeks in advance
• Adopt the "Yantian + Nansha" double-port alternative plan
• Strive for contract prices from shipping companies such as CMA/MSC

Is your cargo ready for "intelligent overseas expansion"?

From the traditional "running on one's own" to the current AI intelligent customs declaration, Shenzhen's sea export service is undergoing digital transformation. The next time you see the container giant ship leaving Yantian Port, you might think: How can a professional agent become the "invisible wing" for you to expand the overseas market? Welcome to share your cargo export stories or questions in the comment area. We will select 3 readers to provide a free export plan diagnosis.