How to determine the professional qualifications of an international freight forwarding company?

When selecting a freight forwarder, it is crucial to check three core qualifications:Class A freight forwarder qualification,Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) certificate?and?Customs AEO certification. It is recommended to verify the company's registration information on the official website of the General Administration of Customs and request successful case studies of handling similar products in the last three years. Thenew version of the International Freight Forwarding Service Standards, implemented from 2025, requires companies to have digital customs clearance capabilities. It is recommended to prioritize service providers that can offer a fully electronic tracking system.

What essential documents are required for exporting goods?

The standard export document list includes:

• Commercial documents:
  • Commercial invoice (must indicate HS code)
  • Packing list (accurate to the volume and weight of a single item)
• Transport documents:
  • ?Ocean shipping?Bill of Lading/?Air freight?Invoice
  • Certificate of Goods Transport Conditions
• Special documents:
  • Certificate of Origin(Essential for products applicable to RCEP preferential tax rates in 2025)
  • Certificate for transport of dangerous chemicals (if applicable)

How to accurately estimate international transportation costs?

Typical export cost components in 2025:

• Basic freight: Influenced by the pricing strategies of shipping alliances, it is recommended to sign an annual contract price.
• Peak season surcharges: A 35% fuel surcharge may be added to European and American routes in Q4.
• Destination port charges: Includes fixed fees such as DTHC, ISPS, etc.
• Risk cost: Transport insurance at 0.3% of the cargo value is highly recommended.

Tip to avoid pitfalls:Request a detailed fee schedule from the forwarder, paying special attention to the differences in tax liabilities under DAP and DDP terms.

How to prevent the risk of cargo detention at the port?

According to data from the General Administration of Customs for 2025, 30% of port detention issues stem from documentary defects:

• The error rate for HS code declarations must be controlled within 0.5%
• Complete AMS/ENS filing 72 hours in advance
• Lithium battery shipments must obtain a UN38.3 test report

It is recommended to adoptPre-clearance services, and complete the customs pre-clearance of the destination country before the cargo departs.

What are the precautions for transporting special cargo?

Handling special cargo requires compliance with the latest international transport rules:

• Lithium battery: Comply with the packaging requirements of IATA 65th Edition Dangerous Goods Regulations
• Food category: Provide FDA/EU food contact material test reports
• : MSDS Safety Data Sheet, Dangerous Goods Transportation Appraisal Report: MSDS documents must include GHS standard classification information

As of 2025, the EU will implement transport restrictions on goods containing PFAS substances, and related companies need to conduct compliance reviews in advance.

How to choose the optimal mode of transport?

It is recommended to adoptThree - dimensional evaluation method:

• Time dimension: Air freight is suitable for urgent cargo with a value > $50/kg
• Cost dimension: Sea freight is more economical for cargo > 2CBM
• Safety Dimension:China-Europe Railway Expressdamage rate is 40% lower than sea freight

Emerging Solution:In 2025, cross-border LCL services can reduce logistics costs by 30%, especially suitable for customers with small to medium cargo volumes.

How does a cargo tracking system ensure transport visibility?

A quality freight forwarder should provide:

• Real-time vessel positioning (AIS data integration)
• Automatic push notifications for customs declaration status
• Early warning mechanism for abnormal situations (e.g., port strike alerts)

It is recommended to ask the service provider to demonstrate their digital platform and confirm that it can integrate with the company's ERP system for automatic reconciliation functions.