Marine Export Agency: 8 Industry Secrets You Don't Know

Imagine a batch of goods you carefully produced is about to embark on an international journey. How will they cross the ocean and safely and punctually reach customers on the other side of the earth? Behind this lies a sophisticated marine export agency process. Today, we will lift the veil of this seemingly mysterious process and let you thoroughly understand the whole process of international marine exports.

Marine export agency is a systematic project that involves the close cooperation of multiple links. The following are the key steps of the entire process:

• Commissioning an Agency: The exporter signs a service agreement with professional agencies such as Zhongshitong
• Space Booking Operations: Select the appropriate shipping company and route according to the characteristics of the goods
• Cargo Collection at the Port: Arrange inland transportation to deliver the goods to the designated port
• Customs Declaration and Inspection: Complete customs declaration and inspection and quarantine formalities
• Loading and Shipment: The goods are safely loaded and set sail
• Document Processing: Prepare a complete set of marine documents
• Fee Settlement: Complete the settlement of all fees

The Space Booking Link is the first and most important step of the entire process. Mr. Zhang told us: "Choosing the right shipping schedule and route directly affects transportation costs and delivery time. It is advisable to book space 2-3 weeks in advance during peak seasons."

In the Customs Declaration and Inspection link, Ms. Li shared: "Accurate and complete customs declaration documents can avoid unnecessary delays. We recommend that customers prepare key documents such as commodity codes and origin certificates in advance."

There are also considerations for cargo packing. Different types of goods require different packing plans. Special goods such as dangerous goods, fragile goods, and oversize goods have special packing requirements.

The three most common problems in marine exports are:

• Customs clearance delays caused by inconsistent documents
• Shipment delays caused by tight berths during peak seasons
• Damage to goods during transportation

Regarding these problems, our suggestions are:

• Confirm the customs clearance requirements of the destination country in advance
• Book space in advance during peak seasons and consider alternative options
• Purchase sufficient marine insurance
• Choose a reliable agency company

With the progress of technology, marine agency services are also undergoing digital transformation. Now, through Zhongshitong's online platform, customers can track the location of goods in real-time, download electronic documents, and pay fees online, greatly improving operation efficiency.

A long-term cooperative customer feedback: "The digital service has saved us at least 30% of the operation time. Especially for enterprises that frequently export, the efficiency improvement is very obvious."

Understanding the marine export agency process is only the first step. In actual operations, unexpected challenges may arise at each link. We suggest that enterprises making their first exports can seek the full-process guidance of professional agencies, and experienced exporters may also re-evaluate the efficiency and cost of existing agency services.

When your goods set sail across the ocean next time, what kind of transportation plan will you adopt? You are welcome to share your marine export experience or ask questions in the comment area, and we will select typical questions for professional answers.