Bonded Warehouse Explained: How Customs Warehousing Works and When to Use It
What is a bonded warehouse? A bonded warehouse, formally called a customs warehouse in UK law, is an HMRC-approved facility where imported goods can be stored without paying import duty or import VAT until they are released into the UK market or re-exported. Duty and VAT are “suspended” for the entire period the goods remain […]
Types of Shipping Containers: A Complete Guide to Container Sizes and Specifications
What is a shipping container? A shipping container is a standardised steel box built to carry goods by sea, rail, or road. Containers are designed to stack on ships, transfer between transport modes without unloading, and lock into position on trucks or trains. Most containers follow ISO standards so they can move between carriers and […]
Dangerous Goods Shipping Explained: Classes, Regulations, and What UK Shippers Need to Know
If you are new to shipping and you have just discovered that your goods might be classified as dangerous, do not panic. This article explains everything you need to know, in plain English, so you can move forward with confidence and stay on the right side of the law. Dangerous goods shipping is one of […]
Demurrage and Detention Explained: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How to Avoid Them
Demurrage and detention charges can turn a smooth shipment into a costly headache, fast. If you work in shipping, you will face them. This article explains exactly what they are, how they are calculated, and what you can do to avoid or dispute them. Table of Contents What Is Demurrage? What Is Detention? Demurrage vs […]
Freight Forwarding Scams Explained: How to Spot and Avoid Shipping Fraud
Freight forwarding scams cost UK businesses millions of pounds every year. The International Chamber of Commerce estimates that trade-related fraud runs into billions globally, and the UK is not immune. For someone new to shipping, handling supplier relationships, booking freight, and managing documentation, these scams are a real and present danger. This article explains exactly […]
LCL Cargo Shipping Explained: The Complete Guide to Less Than Container Load
What is LCL? LCL (Less than Container Load) is a type of ocean freight where your goods share a shipping container with cargo from other companies. You only pay for the space your goods occupy, measured in cubic metres (CBM), rather than renting an entire container. A freight forwarder groups multiple LCL shipments together into […]
Marine Cargo Insurance Explained: What It Covers, What It Costs, and Whether You Need It
What is marine cargo insurance? Marine cargo insurance is a policy that covers physical loss or damage to goods while they are in transit, by sea, air, road, or rail. It protects the owner of the goods (or whoever bears the risk under the Incoterm agreed) against financial loss if a shipment is lost, damaged, […]
Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) Explained: What It Is, How It’s Calculated, and How to Challenge It
You just received a freight quote and one of the line items reads “BAF, £145 per TEU.” You have no idea what it means, whether it is correct, or whether you can push back on it. This article explains exactly what BAF is, how shipping lines calculate it, what typical charges look like by trade […]
What Does a Freight Forwarder Do? The Complete UK Guide
What is a freight forwarder? According to FIATA (the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations), freight forwarders are “companies that organise shipments for individuals or corporations to get goods from the manufacturer or producer to a market, customer, or final point of distribution.” If you have just started a role in shipping, or you are […]
FCL Shipping Explained: The Complete Guide to Full Container Load
What is FCL? FCL stands for Full Container Load. It means you book an entire shipping container, 20ft, 40ft, or 40ft High Cube, and no other shipper’s goods travel with yours. You pay for the whole container whether you fill it or not. The seller loads and seals the container at origin; the buyer breaks […]