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There are various task are performed by the freight forwarder. There are various functions are performed by the freight forwarder Houston. Now let us know some of the basic activities which is happening at the port and the role of the forwarders. As soon as the freight forwarder has received the information concerning the shipment, he books or reserves space on a specific vessel for the shipment, a detail that he usually takes care of by telephoning a steamship agent. Since misunderstandings can easily arise from such arrangements, the forwarder protects himself by securing from the steamship line or its agent a “booking memo” (or freight contract). This document, countersigned by the agent of the steamship company, is sent to the shipper to confirm the reservation. Activities at the Port At the port of export, the freight forwarder takes complete charge of the shipment. If the exporter is located at seaboard, the forwarder may supervise the movement of the goods or merchandise to dockside. His primary function, however, is to take care of all documentation, a function which he also performs for the inland shipper. In case the shipment originates inland, the freight forwarder as the consignee is notified as soon as the merchandise arrives in the port area. The forwarder then secures from the steamship company, or from the agent of the vessel on which he has reserved space, a shipping permit and blank forms for the dock receipt and for the ocean bill of lading. If an export declaration is required, the forwarder presents it to the steamship company when he obtains the shipping permit. This permit not only instructs the receiving clerk at the pier to accept the goods for loading aboard ship but also specifies the name of the vessel, her port of destination, and the date on or before which the merchandise is to be delivered to dockside. Shipping permits are handled in different ways at various ports, but the freight forwarder will know the particular procedure required. The freight forwarder Houston usually sends the shipping permit and the prepared dock receipt to the land carrier, with a letter of instructions for delivering the merchandise to dockside. If the shipment consists of several carloads or truckloads, which may not all arrive at the pier at the same time, the forwarder sends the shipping permit to the steamship company’s receiving clerk and so notifies the inland carrier. In this case, he informs the carrier that the shipment is to be delivered within the time specified in the permit. No matter what the practice, the forwarder should follow up the shipment to see that it is delivered on time and loaded aboard the vessel. After executing all shipping documents (including the bill of lading and consular invoices of the country of import) and processing them through the steamship companies, the customs, and the consulates, the forwarder assembles these documents duly signed. He may dispose of them in a number of ways. If a letter of credit or financing is involved, they are usually sent to a local bank. In this case, the exporter sends his invoice and a draft to cover freight charges to the forwarder. This procedure is economical because it involves a minimum of handling of documents. If the export shipper is local or located in the interior and has taken care of his own financing, the forwarder may be instructed to send the documents to the exporter. Under different circumstances, he may send the papers abroad. Author Resource: Jeson Clarke is conveying information about Houston international shipping
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