FAQ

The consignee is the entity that takes ownership or responsibility of the goods once they have been cleared. In cases where the imported goods belong to the company in-country and are for internal use or storage, the consignee can act as an importer. 

International trade compliance refers to the adherence to laws, trade regulations, sanctions, and standards that govern the movement of goods across international borders. Effective trade compliance is crucial when navigating the global supply chain. 

An export license is a document granting the holder permission to act as an exporter of specific goods, allowing the holder to conduct export transactions within the limits of their specific license. Different countries have several conditions that need to be met to qualify. 

Import/export compliance is a set of rules and procedures that need to be followed when either bringing goods into or out of a country. They are necessary to ensure you meet the legal requirements set out by the local governments and enforced by customs authorities. 

The way in which customs duties are calculated varies from country to country. Generally, these duties are calculated as a percentage of the value of the goods being shipped, but exact figures depend on the HS code of the specific product. The valuation of the goods may also differ from country to country, with some requiring the commercial value of the goods to be used while others only require purchase value. In our Global Capabilities section, we delve into the country-specific tax structures. 

VAT is calculated as a percentage of the total invoice value, including shipping costs, based on the destination country’s rate, e.g. Bahrain's standard VAT rate is 10%.

A customs declaration is an official document that lists and gives details of goods that are passing a customs border, being imported or exported. In today’s world, this document is submitted electronically. 

Demurrage is charged inside the port.
It applies when a full container stays at the terminal beyond the free time allowed after discharge. Think of it as a parking fee for not picking up your cargo on time.

Detention is charged outside the port.
It kicks in when you’ve picked up the container but haven’t returned it empty within the agreed time. It’s like a rental fee for holding onto the container too long.

A Switch Bill of Lading is essentially a second set of bills of lading issued by the carrier or their agent to replace the original set. It’s not a different type of bill, but rather a substitute that reflects updated shipment details while the cargo is still in transit.