Freight Forwarders Must Read! Comprehensive Analysis of International Ocean Export Process

What Are the Processes for Exporting by Sea for Foreign Trade Companies? A Detailed Explanation of International Maritime Export Steps

In international trade, sea freight is one of the most important transportation methods. It not only carries the majority of global goods trading volume but also serves as an economical and stable logistics solution chosen by many enterprises. However, for those who are new to foreign trade business, the process of international maritime export may seem complicated and unfamiliar. This article will provide a detailed explanation of the specific steps in international maritime exports, helping foreign trade professionals better understand and operate this process.

Firstly, the first step in international maritime export is booking space. Typically, foreign trade companies need to contact freight forwarders or shipping companies in advance to determine their transportation needs. At this stage, information such as the weight, volume, destination port, etc., of the goods must be provided. The delivery time and loading time should also be clearly defined to allow freight forwarders to arrange suitable space. For example, a news report in 2025 mentioned that due to failure to book space in time, a large exporting company delayed the shipment of its goods, causing unnecessary trouble for its customers. This indicates that reasonable planning of booking time is the foundation for ensuring smooth transportation of goods.

Next comes the customs declaration process. Customs declaration refers to submitting relevant information about the goods to customs for review. During this process, foreign trade companies need to prepare a series of documents, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, contracts, and relevant licenses. It should be noted that different countries and regions have varying requirements for imported goods, so enterprises must strictly comply with local regulations when making customs declarations. Recently, there were reports that an electronics exporting company overlooked some technical parameter declaration requirements during customs declaration, resulting in the detention of its goods for several days. This highlights the importance of accurately completing customs declaration work.

Following that is the process of consolidating cargo at the port and loading it into containers. In this step, freight forwarders will assist clients in concentrating their goods at the designated port and packaging and loading them according to specified methods. The selection of containers is also very important; different types of goods correspond to different specifications of containers. For instance, liquid goods typically use tank containers, while oversized equipment requires specially customized frame-type containers. Meanwhile, to ensure the safety of the goods, a comprehensive inspection of the inside of the container must be conducted before loading to ensure it is clean, tidy, and undamaged.

After loading is completed, it is the vessel departure phase. During this period, shipping companies will be responsible for organizing the ship to depart on schedule and notifying the consignee to prepare for receiving the goods. It should be noted that due to many uncontrollable factors in sea voyages, ship schedules may vary. In such cases, freight forwarders should promptly communicate and coordinate with all parties involved to avoid economic losses caused by delays. To deal with unexpected situations, some companies also purchase insurance to transfer risks. According to relevant data, in recent years, the proportion of losses recovered by Chinese enterprises through purchasing international cargo insurance has been rising year by year, reflecting the importance of insurance.

Finally, after the goods arrive at the destination port, they still need to go through subsequent processes such as unloading, customs clearance, and distribution. Among these, customs clearance is a key link in the entire chain because only after being recognized by the local customs can the goods officially enter the market for sale. To improve efficiency, many companies choose to hire professional customs clearance agencies to handle related affairs. From actual cases, those with rich experience professional teams often complete all procedures in the shortest time possible, allowing the goods to be put into operation as soon as possible.

In summary, international maritime export is a systematic project involving multiple links, each detail of which relates to the final result. As foreign trade practitioners, only by thoroughly understanding and mastering the operational norms of each link can they stand firm in the fierce market competition. In the future, with the advancement of technology and the deepening of digital transformation, it is believed that the international maritime industry will become more convenient and efficient, creating greater value for enterprises.