What is shipment Advice and what are the contents of shipping advice
Updated: May 1
Today we will discuss the topic of shipment advice and its importance in international trade of exports and imports. Here are 10 key points to keep in mind:
What is shipment advice, and who prepares it? In international trade, once goods are shipped, the exporter or seller sends shipping details with complete carrier information and expected arrival time to the buyer.
Why is shipment advice important? It helps the importer plan import clearance procedures and track the goods upon arrival at the final destination.
What if the buyer doesn't receive documents from their bank in time to take delivery of the goods? They can use the shipment advice to keep an alert and ensure all necessary documents are in order for customs clearance.
What are the contents of a shipping advice? The document should include the purchase order or Letter of Credit number, exporter's commercial invoice number and date, bill of lading/airway bill number and date, and shipping carrier's name with liner name.
If freight forwarders are involved, their complete contact details at the destination, including telephone, emails, and key contact person's name, should be included in the shipping advice.
The name of the vessel loaded at the port of loading is also an important piece of information to include.
It's crucial to include the expected time of arrival at the final destination, so the importer can plan accordingly.
If the goods are trans-shipped, the shipping advice should contain the details of the transshipment port and the vessel/aircraft's details, including the ETA at the final destination. Transshipment sailing details should be updated once the vessel has sailed from the transshipment port.
The exporter should monitor the vessel/flight details and ensure the details updated with the buyer are correct once the goods have moved out of the load port. If there are any changes in vessel details or expected time of arrival at the final destination, they should be updated accordingly with the overseas buyer.
Finally, sending a shipping advice to the overseas buyer, importer, or consignee is a good practice in international trade of exports and imports. It helps these parties track the goods and properly plan for customs clearance at the final destination port.
Thank you for your attention, and I hope this information is useful in your international trade endeavours.
Summary:
In international trade, shipment advice is crucial for the exporter to provide shipping details to the buyer, helping the importer plan import clearance procedures and track the goods upon arrival at the final destination. The document should contain key details such as purchase order or Letter of Credit number, bill of lading/airway bill number and date, expected time of arrival, and details of transshipment ports and vessels. It's important to update details with the buyer and include freight forwarder contact information. Sending a shipping advice to the buyer, importer, or consignee is good practice to track goods and plan for customs clearance.