Functions of the Houston International Shipping Agents (jeson clarke)

There are several functions are performed by the international shipping companies.

If the forwarder performs only the four forwarding functions, he is ordinarily considered a Houston international shipping agent. But a person engaged in the business of forwarding may also engage in rendering accessorial services, the most important of which are trucking, warehousing, and obtaining marine insurance. If so, he may be termed an independent contractor. In any event, the freight forwarder is not considered a common carrier, even though he is subject to the regulatory provisions of the Shipping Act.

Functions of the Forwarders

Basically, then, the international freight forwarder is responsible for the following functions: To trace the inland movement of the shipment to seaboard and to eliminate all avoidable delays in transit. To book in advance cargo space on the earliest or on a specified vessel. To execute, approve, and submit all shipping documents necessary to the particular shipment.

Tracing the Shipment

For a shipment originating inland, one of the most important functions of a Houston international shipping forwarder is to expedite its movement to seaboard. If he is to operate efficiently, he must have complete information and instructions concerning a particular shipment. To assure him of that information and to obviate mistakes on the part of the shipper, caused either by carelessness or by misunderstanding of what is required, the forwarder supplies his exporter client with a "letter of instruction," which the shipper should fill out in detail and return to the forwarder. Since the letter includes exact details of the inland routing, including car numbers when known, the forwarder can trace the shipment daily if he wishes. The letter also includes particulars of the shipment such as (1) the number and types of packages and the symbols thereon, (2) an exact description of the merchandise as it will appear on the bill of lading consular invoice, and so forth, (3) instructions regarding payment of the ocean freight charges, (4) instructions regarding marine insurance, (5) the gross, legal, and net weights and the cubic measurements of the packages, and (6) the way the goods are to be consigned to the importer abroad. Since this letter of instruction is mailed to the forwarder as soon as the goods or merchandise leaves the factory or warehouse, he receives it before the shipment arrives at seaboard and is therefore in a position to proceed with the documentation necessary at an early date. It is important to choose the best international shipping company.

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