CARM: What all importers need to know about CARM

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What you need to know about transshipments

     Truck and containers

A “transshipment” occurs each time your freight is moved from one container to another, or from one vessel to another during the shipment’s journey.

For example, your ocean freight from South Africa may be transshipped via Rotterdam; your air freight from Hong Kong via Chicago; your truck freight to Texas via Nashville, Tennessee.

Transshipping freight is not necessarily a problem, nor is it always avoidable, but there are risks you should be aware of:

  • The more transshipments, the longer the transit time.
  • Each transshipment requires your freight to be physically unloaded and reloaded into the next conveyance.  More handling means more risk of loss, damage, theft or pilferage.
  • For every transshipment point, there is a cut-off date which must be met. Failing to meet this deadline can result in substantial delays in the transit time.

Quick Tip #16
Ensure basic information is completed on all commercial invoices

The commercial invoice is the basis for the Canadian customs entry and determines any applicable duties and taxes. Ensuring proper information is included is vital for the accurate processing of your shipment. The following information should always be shown:

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