International Shipping Companies in Nigeria are at the epicenter of importation to Nigeria. Who really are international shipping companies in Nigeria? How do you engage shipping companies in importation process? What if the item imported is not a full container load? Who does the booking and shipping for less than container loads? Let us take these questions one-by-one.
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INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING COMPANIES NIGERIA: MODE OF OPERATION
Every shipment by international shipping companies in Nigeria basically follows the same guiding principles. The following are basic steps taken for imports to Nigeria:
- Cargo transport from shipper to the shipping line or port
- Handling at the supply country
- Cargo shipping on-board
- Shipping company submission of electronic manifest
- Handling and clearance at the destination country
- Shipping Company Release of cargo to the clearance vendor
- Cargo transport from port or bonded warehouse to the importer’s location of interest.
- Container returned to shipping company for containerized goods
For detail of cargo shipping steps, see my article for: IMPORTATION BUSINESS; STEP-BY-STEP IMPORTING INTO NIGERIA
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING COMPANIES AND THE MANIFEST
Shipping Manifest is a catalog to the Customs, of all goods on-board. The manifest is compiled by shipping companies, and is made from bills of lading. The following information are usually added to the manifest:
- First, container info if containerized or not containerized. All the container numbers must be stated for containerized imports.
- Secondly, description of the items, including items quantities and units of measure.
- Again, names addresses of the shippers, as well as the names and addresses of the importers.
- Also, Form M numbers for all goods
- Finally, the Bills of Laden numbers for all bills.
For more information on the electronic manifest, see my article for: DEMURRAGE CHARGE, DETENTION AND PORT CHARGES NIGERIA
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING COMPANIES: SOME BIG SHIPPING COMPANIES IN NIGERIA
- CMA CGM Delmas (SDV)
- MOL Shipping Line
- Maersk Line
- Pacific International Line Limited (PIL)
- Blue Funnel
- Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC or Comet)
- Lagos and Niger Shipping Agency Limited (LANSAL)
- Alraine, Crossmarine,
- Equally, Transcorp, Nile Dutch, etc.
IMPORTING LESS-THAN-CONTAINER-LOAD
The big names mentioned and most shipping companies do not accept shipping of goods less than full container loads from customers. Instead, Forwarders do accept those goods and consolidate them to full container loads. How then do customers engage with Forwarders? Vagmon Group can help you in shipping Agency services. Contact us on +2349075526276 or via our contact us page on this weblog.
Conclusion:
The mode of operation of international shipping companies in Nigeria is generally the same. Shipping companies are required to submit cargo manifest quickly (7 days before arrival) to the Nigeria Customs. Importers of less-than-container loads must engage the services of freight forwarders to interface with shipping companies. Vagmon Group takes your job from the very beginning, to allow you time for other matters. Therefore, contact us today.
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