Security Notice

This document has been auto-published from the internal knowledge base. All passwords, API keys, tokens, and IP addresses have been redacted for security.

Freight Forwarding — Domain Specialist

Document Flow (Ocean Import — Standard)

Booking Confirmation → Shipping Instructions → Bill of Lading (BL) →
Arrival Notice (AN) → Delivery Order (DO) → Customs Entry →
Freight Release → Terminal Release → Delivery

Key Documents

Document	Abbreviation	Who Issues	Purpose
Master Bill of Lading	MBL	Carrier (steamship line)	Contract of carriage, receipt of goods
House Bill of Lading	HBL	Freight forwarder (NVOCC)	Forwarder's contract with shipper
Arrival Notice	AN	Carrier/agent	Notifies consignee of cargo arrival + charges
Delivery Order	DO	Carrier/agent	Authorization to release cargo
Commercial Invoice	CI	Seller/exporter	Value of goods for customs
Packing List	PL	Shipper	Detailed contents per container
Customs Entry	CE / Entry	Customs broker	Declaration to CBP (US) or SAT (MX)
ISF (10+2)	ISF	Importer/broker	Security filing, 24hr before loading
Telex Release	TLR	Carrier	Electronic release (no original BL needed)
Certificate of Origin	CO	Chamber of commerce	Country of manufacture

Party Roles

Role	CW AddressType	Description
Shipper/Exporter	SHP	Sends the goods
Consignee	CED	Receives the goods (importer)
Notify Party	NFY	Gets notified of arrival
Freight Forwarder	—	Arranges transport (NVOCC if issuing HBL)
Customs Broker	CHA	Files customs entries
Carrier (SSL)	CAR	Steamship line operating the vessel
Terminal	—	Port facility handling cargo
Trucker/Drayage	TRK	Moves container from port to warehouse
CFS Operator	—	Less-than-container (LCL) deconsolidation

Incoterms 2020

Term	Risk Transfer	Freight Paid By	Insurance	Common Use
FOB	Ship's rail at origin port	Buyer	Buyer	Most ocean freight
CIF	Ship's rail at origin port	Seller to dest port	Seller	Common in Asia exports
CFR	Ship's rail at origin port	Seller to dest port	Buyer	Like CIF without insurance
EXW	Seller's premises	Buyer	Buyer	Buyer controls everything
DDP	Delivered to buyer's door	Seller	Seller	Seller handles all
DAP	Delivered at place (unloaded)	Seller	Buyer	Door delivery, no customs
FCA	Carrier at named place	Buyer	Buyer	Multimodal, inland pickup

WSI common: FOB (most ocean), CIF (some Asia), DDP (value-add for key accounts)

Container Types

Code	Name	Internal (L x W x H)	Max Cargo	Common Use
20GP	20' Standard	5.9m x 2.35m x 2.39m	~28 MT / 33 CBM	General cargo
40GP	40' Standard	12.03m x 2.35m x 2.39m	~26 MT / 67 CBM	General cargo
40HC	40' High Cube	12.03m x 2.35m x 2.69m	~26 MT / 76 CBM	Most common import
20RF	20' Reefer	Insulated, temp -30 to +30	~21 MT	Perishables
40RF	40' Reefer	Insulated, temp -30 to +30	~26 MT	Perishables
20OT	20' Open Top	No roof	~28 MT	Oversized cargo
40FR	40' Flat Rack	No walls/roof	~40 MT	Machinery, vehicles

1 TEU = 1 twenty-foot equivalent unit. 1 x 40' = 2 TEU.

Container Number Format

{OWNER CODE}{EQUIPMENT CATEGORY}{SERIAL NUMBER}{CHECK DIGIT}

• Example: MSCU U 123456 7
• Owner code = 3 alpha (carrier prefix, see ocean-tracking.md)
• Category: U = freight container, J = detachable equipment, Z = trailer/chassis
• Serial: 6 digits
• Check digit: 1 digit (ISO 6346 algorithm)

Ocean Freight Charges

Charge	Code	Who Pays	Description
Ocean Freight	OFR	Per Incoterm	Base rate origin → destination
THC (Terminal Handling)	THC	Both ends	Terminal lift-on/lift-off
BAF (Bunker Adjustment)	BAF	Per Incoterm	Fuel surcharge
PSS (Peak Season Surcharge)	PSS	Shipper/buyer	High-demand periods
Documentation Fee	DOC	Forwarder	BL preparation
AMS/ISF Filing	AMS	Importer	US security filing
Customs Brokerage	BRK	Importer	Entry filing fee
Drayage	DRY	Importer	Truck port → warehouse
Chassis Fee	CHS	Importer	Container chassis rental
Demurrage	DEM	Importer	Container at terminal past free time
Detention	DET	Importer	Container out of terminal past free time
Per Diem	PER	Importer	Chassis rental past free time
Storage	STR	Importer	Cargo at terminal past free time

Key distinction: Demurrage = container still at port. Detention = container already picked up but not returned. Per Diem = chassis not returned.

Shipment Lifecycle (Ocean Import to US)

1. Booking confirmed (carrier assigns space)
2. Cargo loaded at origin, container sealed
3. BL issued (MBL by carrier, HBL by forwarder)
4. ISF filed (10+2, 24hr before vessel loading)
5. Vessel departs origin port (ETD)
6. In transit (vessel tracking via carrier API)
7. Vessel arrives destination port (ETA/ATA)
8. Arrival Notice issued to consignee
9. Customs entry filed (CBP for US)
10. Customs cleared (may exam — CET/VACIS/tailgate)
11. Freight released (carrier releases after payment)
12. Terminal release (port releases container)
13. Drayage — trucker picks up container
14. Delivery to consignee warehouse
15. Container returned empty to terminal
16. Invoice/settlement

CBP Exam Types (US Customs)

Type	Description	Delay
CET (Contraband Enforcement Team)	Intensive physical exam	5-10 days
VACIS / NII (Non-Intrusive Inspection)	X-ray scan	1-3 days
Tailgate	Quick physical check	1-2 days
Document Review	No physical exam, just docs	Hours

WSI-Relevant Trade Lanes

Origin	Destination	Key Cargo	Volume
China (Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian)	LA/LGB	Tires, auto parts, consumer goods	Highest
Taiwan (Kaohsiung)	LA/LGB	Auto parts (Koyorad, Tireco)	High
Korea (Busan)	LA/LGB	Auto parts, electronics	Medium
Japan (Yokohama)	LA/LGB	Auto parts	Medium
Mexico (Manzanillo, Lazaro Cardenas)	—	Cross-border, CHAROS ops	Growing

Freight Rate Context (WSI, 2025 data)

• China → AZ rates trending down: $5.8K → $4.6K per container (George Damwijk leads)
• Key accounts: Tireco (18K TEU LY), Koyorad (908), Liberty Paper (825)