HS Codes

A shipping HS code is a standard code used to classify goods that are being shipped internationally. It is used by customs officials to determine the tariffs and taxes that should be applied to the goods, as well as to track trade statistics. The code is made up of a combination of numbers and is usually six digits long. It is used to identify the specific product or category of products being shipped. For example, if a company is shipping a shipment of bicycles, the HS code for the bicycles would be used to classify the shipment so that the correct tariffs and taxes are applied. The HS code system is used by over 200 countries and territories around the world, which makes it easier for goods to be shipped between countries.

LCL

LCL stands for Less than Container Load. LCL shipping is a type of shipping service where multiple customers’ goods are consolidated into one container. It’s an efficient and cost-effective way to ship smaller quantities of goods, especially when a full container load is not required. When shipping LCL, the goods are consolidated at a freight forwarder’s warehouse, then packed into a container for shipment. The freight forwarder will then arrange for the container to be transported to the port of loading, where it will be loaded onto a ship for transport to the port of destination. Once the container arrives at the port of destination, it will be offloaded and the individual consignments will be sorted and delivered to the final destination. The terms of LCL shipping can vary depending on the carrier and the freight forwarder, but the main thing to understand is that the shipping cost is shared among the different customers whose goods are consolidated into one container. Customers are also responsible for the cost of packing and loading their goods at the warehouse, as well as for arranging customs clearance at the destination. Additionally, since the goods are consolidated with other customers’ goods, the transit time is usually longer than FCL (Full Container Load) shipping.

Insurance

When you insure your goods for shipping, you are protecting the value of the items being shipped in case they are lost, stolen, or damaged during transit. This type of insurance typically covers the cost of the goods themselves, but not the cost of shipping or freight.

On the other hand, insuring both your goods and the freight costs means that you are also protecting the cost of shipping and handling in addition to the value of the goods. This type of insurance provides more comprehensive coverage and can be especially useful for businesses that frequently ship valuable or fragile items.

In summary, insuring your goods for shipping protects the value of the items, while insuring both your goods and the freight costs protects both the value of the items and the cost of shipping and handling. It’s important to choose the right type of insurance to ensure that your goods and investment is protected.

Routing

Routing can be Direct, which tends to generally be the quicker route, but may be more costly. Economy is a more indirect route which means that the shipment could make multiple stops at different destinations. This could increase the transit time, but helps to slightly reduce costs. Note that both these options might not always be available for certain shipments and certain routes.