Frequently Asked Questions

To export coffee to the European Union (EU) market, businesses must meet requirements regarding product quality, food safety, traceability, and packaging and labeling regulations according to EU standards. Additionally, businesses must comply with regulations related to sustainable development, including the deforestation-free regulation (EUDR) for applicable shipments. Proper preparation of export documentation, necessary certificates, and selecting a reputable logistics partner will facilitate customs clearance and delivery.

FCL is usually suitable when the total shipment makes a full container cost-effective, the cargo should remain segregated, or the shipper wants greater control over container loading and unloading. LCL suits smaller lots that do not need a full container, but it adds consolidation and deconsolidation, may take longer, and requires careful review of local charges. Do not decide from a fixed CBM threshold alone; compare total origin, main-carriage, and destination costs, transit time, free time, cut-offs, and cargo compatibility.

A 20ft container holds up to 28-30 CBM and 25-28 tons of cargo. A 40ft container holds up to 56-58 CBM and 26-28 tons. A 40HC (High Cube) container holds up to 65-68 CBM and 26-28 tons. However, local road transit safety weight limits in Vietnam are recommended under 20-25 tons of cargo to avoid overloading fines.

Export charges include: THC (Terminal Handling Charge), Seal fee, Bill of Lading fee, Telex Release (if applicable), and CFS fee (for LCL). Import charges include: THC, D/O (Delivery Order) fee, Container Cleaning fee, CIC (Container Imbalance Charge), and Handling fee.

LCL freight is calculated using the W/M (Weight or Measurement) rule, where 1 CBM equals 1,000 kg (1 Ton) in ocean shipping. The rate is calculated for both actual volume and actual weight, and the higher of the two values is applied as the chargeable unit.

You need to prepare: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Booking Note. Each cargo package must be clearly labeled with a Shipping Mark to prevent mixing or misrouting during CFS warehouse consolidation.

Reefer containers are equipped with electrical refrigeration units to maintain a preset temperature. Shippers must specify the exact temperature, ventilation setting, and humidity, and ensure the cargo is pre-cooled to the required temperature before loading.

Cargo rolling occurs when a container is not loaded onto the scheduled vessel due to overbooking, vessel delays, or customs clearance issues. SeaAir proactively negotiates with the carrier to transfer the container to the next available sailing and attempts to waive any demurrage charges if caused by the line.

Demurrage commonly relates to carrier equipment remaining in the terminal beyond free time; detention commonly applies when the container is outside the terminal beyond free time; and storage is a terminal or port yard-space charge. Names, start and end points, and calculation methods can vary by carrier, terminal, country, and tariff. Before booking, check whether free time is separate or combined, whether calendar or working days apply, the empty-return depot, and excluded charges. Only the confirmed booking terms and applicable tariff govern the shipment.

OOG cargo is typically shipped using Flat Rack containers (no side walls or roof, fold-down end walls) or Open Top containers (removable canvas roof). SeaAir assesses the protrusion dimensions to secure the correct equipment and calculate extra freight based on lost slots on the vessel.

The steps are: Pick up the container release order at the depot, inspect the empty container for leaks/damage/smell, transport it to the warehouse for loading, apply the customs seal, return the full container to the port terminal before the cut-off time, and submit the cleared customs declaration.

SeaAir Global maintains strong, long-term partnerships with major global container carriers including ONE, MSC, CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, Maersk, Yang Ming, OOCL, Wan Hai, and HMM. This network allows us to secure competitive ocean freight rates and stable space allocation during peak shipping seasons.

CY/CY (Container Yard to Container Yard) refers to Full Container Load (FCL) shipping where a full container is received at the origin port yard and delivered as a full container to the destination port yard. CFS/CFS (Container Freight Station to Container Freight Station) applies to LCL shipments consolidated and deconsolidated at cargo warehouses.

Air freight is based on Chargeable Weight. The volumetric weight formula is: Length x Width x Height (cm) / 6,000 (or / 5,000 for express services). The chargeable weight is the greater of the actual gross weight and the calculated volumetric weight.

Choose Air Express for urgent shipments (1-3 days transit time) such as documents, urgent spare parts, or high-value items. Choose Air Economy (4-7 days transit) to save costs through consolidation flights or transit routings with connections.

Prohibited items include explosives, flammables, compressed gases, and aerosols. Restricted items requiring an MSDS approval include lithium batteries, liquids, chemicals, and magnetic goods. SeaAir assists in reviewing MSDS sheets free of charge before booking.

An Air Waybill (AWB) is a non-negotiable transport document. MAWB (Master AWB) is issued by the airline to the freight forwarder. HAWB (House AWB) is issued by the forwarder to the shipper/consignee. End clients use the HAWB for customs clearance and collection.

Air cargo must be packed in sturdy cardboard boxes, and heavy loads should be placed on pallets (wood pallets must be fumigated/heat-treated if shipping to countries like USA, EU, or Australia). Fragile items require proper cushioning and a visible "Fragile" label.

The steps include: Delivering cargo to the airport terminal, checking physical weight and dimensions, performing X-ray security screening, applying security seals, and loading the cargo into air cargo containers or pallets (ULD) before loading onto the plane.

Yes, SeaAir handles perishable cargo via air. Perishables must be packed in leak-proof containers (typically thick foam boxes securely taped), using dry ice or gel packs for cooling. Wet ice is strictly prohibited to prevent aircraft corrosion.

Common air local charges include: AWB (Air Waybill) issuance fee, MYC (Fuel Surcharge), SCC (Security Charge), Terminal Handling Charge (THC) at the airport warehouse, and destination manifest filing fees (like AMS, ENS, or AFR for USA, Europe, or Japan).

SeaAir Global operates a diverse fleet: light trucks (1.5 to 8 tons) for city delivery, box trucks for cargo protection, heavy-duty container tractors (20ft/40ft) serving key ports, and specialized flatbed trailers for oversized project cargo.

All SeaAir vehicles are equipped with 24/7 active GPS tracking devices. Clients can request real-time location and route updates. Import/export container shipments are secured with official shipping line or customs seals throughout the journey.

Yes, SeaAir offers loading and unloading services at both origin and destination warehouses. We can provide manual labor or specialized equipment (forklifts, cranes for heavy cargo) based on the client's specific quote requests.

Standard North-South road transport in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi and vice versa) typically takes between 60 to 72 hours (approx. 2.5 to 3 days) for express trucks using Highway 1A.

Yes, SeaAir provides cross-border trucking. Transit to Phnom Penh (Cambodia) takes 1-2 days via Moc Bai border. Transit to Laos takes 3-5 days via central borders like Lao Bao or Cau Treo. We handle customs formalities on both sides of the borders.

SeaAir Global is an officially licensed Customs Broker in Vietnam under Decision No. 969/QĐ-TCHQ. This license allows us to sign and stamp customs declarations directly on behalf of importers/exporters, reducing legal risks and speeding up clearance.

The steps are: 1. Prepare documents (Invoice, Packing List, C/O, licenses if applicable). 2. Submit declaration via ECUS5 VNACCS. 3. Receive customs channel (Green/Yellow/Red). 4. Pay duties and VAT. 5. Document review or physical inspection at port. 6. Obtain customs release and deliver cargo.

Green Channel: Automatic clearance upon duty payment, no inspection of documents or cargo. Yellow Channel: Paperwork review required by a customs officer. Red Channel: Full paperwork review and physical inspection of the cargo inside the container at the port terminal.

An HS Code is an 8-digit code (in Vietnam) used to classify international trade goods for customs duty and import policy. Determining the correct code requires technical catalogs, material composition, and usage. SeaAir provides free HS classification review before filing.

The main taxes are: Import Duty (ranging from 0% to over 30% based on HS Code, lower with preferential C/O), Import Value-Added Tax (VAT, typically 8% or 10%), and special taxes if applicable (Excise Tax, Environmental Protection Tax, Anti-Dumping Duty).

A C/O proves the origin of goods from countries that signed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Vietnam, qualifying the shipment for preferential lower duty rates. Key forms include: Form E (ASEAN-China), Form D (ASEAN), Form VK (Vietnam-Korea), and EUR.1 (EVFTA).

You need: C/O application form, cleared export customs declaration, Bill of Lading (B/L), Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and manufacturing proof (local raw material invoices, import declarations of raw materials, and production process descriptions).

Specialized inspection (KTCN) is a pre-clearance check by government ministries regarding quality, safety, or quarantine. Items requiring inspection include: foodstuffs (Ministry of Health), household electronics (Ministry of Science & Technology), and animal feed (MARD).

Importers must declare the actual transaction value supported by contract, invoice, and bank payment slip (T/T or L/C). Declaring values significantly lower than the customs price database will trigger a post-clearance valuation consultation.

Yes. Declarations can be amended (using AMA process) if errors are found before customs starts document inspection. Declarations can be cancelled in designated cases, such as incorrect import/export type codes or if 15 days pass without clearance activity.

The steps are: 1. Register a phytosanitary profile on the National Single Window portal. 2. Submit the quarantine application. 3. Officers collect physical samples at the warehouse or port. 4. Lab tests confirm clearance. 5. Issue the Phytosanitary Certificate.

Non-commercial goods do not require a bank payment receipt or sales contract. However, they must still be classified with correct HS Codes, and a reasonable customs value must be declared. Import duties and VAT still apply if value exceeds tax-exempt thresholds.

Goods exceeding standard container dimensions (OOG) or with heavy-lift weights exceeding standard road transit limits. Examples: large industrial machinery, silos, wind turbine blades, steel structures. Handling requires lowboy trailers, heavy cranes, and special permits.

The direct port-to-port ocean transit time from Cat Lai to Singapore is very fast, taking only 2 to 3 days. However, for LCL cargo, we recommend adding 2-3 days for warehouse consolidation at origin and deconsolidation at destination.

The direct sea freight service from Shanghai Port to Cat Lai Port typically takes 5 to 7 days. Sailings on this lane are highly frequent, averaging 3 to 4 departures per week.

Direct ocean service from Cai Mep Port to the US West Coast (Los Angeles or Long Beach) takes about 17 to 21 days. If shipping via transit routes with transshipment at a third port, it may take 25 to 30 days.

Ocean shipping from Vietnam to the US East Coast (New York, Savannah) takes longer than the West Coast, averaging 28 to 35 days via the Panama or Suez Canal, depending on the alliance scheduling.

Standard direct ocean transit to Rotterdam Port typically takes 30 to 35 days. However, routing adjustments around the Cape of Good Hope due to Red Sea security incidents can add an extra 10 to 14 days.

Direct/Express air freight typically takes 2 to 3 days. For economical air freight service with transshipment (Air Economy/Transit), the total transit time ranges from 5 to 7 days.

Ocean shipping from Vietnam to main Japanese ports (Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe) is relatively fast, taking about 7 to 10 days using direct services.

The direct sea transit time from Vietnam ports (Cat Lai/Cai Mep) to South Korea (Busan or Incheon) is typically 5 to 7 days.

Total Lead Time = Cargo pickup (1-2 days) + Export clearance (1 day) + Ocean/Air transit + Import clearance (1-2 days) + Last-mile delivery (1 day). We recommend adding a 2-4 day buffer for ocean shipments.

FOB (Free on Board): Seller pays local costs and bears risk until cargo is loaded onto the vessel at origin. Buyer pays freight and bears sea transit risk. CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight): Seller pays freight and insurance to the destination port, but risk transfers to the buyer upon cargo loading at origin.

EXW (Ex Works): Maximum responsibility on the buyer (collects cargo from seller's warehouse, handles all shipping and customs). DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Minimum responsibility on the buyer (seller handles all shipping, customs clearance, and pays import duties).

A B/L is a ocean cargo transport document, acting as a cargo receipt, carriage contract, and document of title. Common types include: Original B/L (requires physical paper presentation to release cargo), Telex Release (electronic release at destination), and Seaway Bill (instant release without B/L document).

It is a digital release instruction. The origin port agent sends an electronic notification to the destination port to release cargo without presenting the physical Original B/L. Use it for short-haul sea transit (cargo arrives before physical bills do) or when trade partners trust each other.

An MSDS is a safety data sheet providing information on chemical composition, hazards, packaging, and emergency measures. Shipping lines and airlines require this document to review and approve chemical/battery cargo to ensure safety in transit.

It is not legally mandatory (unless agreed under CIF/CIP terms). However, it is highly recommended to protect goods against damage, sinking, or general average. The premium is typically: Invoice Value x 110% x Rate (rate is low, usually between 0.05% to 0.2%).

VGM is the verified total mass of a packed container: cargo, packaging, pallets, dunnage and securing materials, plus the container tare mass. The shipper named on the transport document is responsible for providing it. VGM may be obtained by weighing the packed container or by adding each component using a method approved by the competent authority. It must reach the carrier and terminal before the booking-specific VGM cut-off for stowage planning; a packed container without compliant VGM is not eligible for loading where SOLAS applies.

Shipper: The party exporting/sending the cargo. Consignee: The party importing/receiving the cargo (or the bank holding the title). Notify Party: The party contacted by the shipping line when the vessel arrives to coordinate clearance (typically a forwarder).

You can enter the container number (4 letters and 7 digits) or the Bill of Lading (B/L) number on the carrying shipping line's tracking portal, or use SeaAir Global's tracking page to check the full schedule and current milestones.

You can input your cargo details into the "Get Quote" form on our website, send an email directly to sales@seaairglobal.com.vn, or call our Hotline at (+84) 938 975 329 to receive a customized quote within 24 hours.

Go to the "Track Shipment" page on the SeaAir Global website menu, enter the internal tracking code or the master ocean B/L or Air AWB number provided by us to view the real-time movement and delivery milestones.

We serve a wide range of industries including Electronics & Components, Textiles & Footwear, Frozen Seafood & Agriculture, Industrial Machinery, Furniture, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), and chemicals with verified MSDS.

Yes. SeaAir's team is fully certified and trained under IMDG (ocean) and IATA DG (air) standards. We assist shippers with hazardous declarations and shipping procedures for DG classes 1 through 9.

We accept Bank Wire Transfer (T/T) and Letter of Credit (L/C) for international shipments. For corporate clients with consistent shipment volumes and active service contracts, we offer flexible credit term policies.

Yes, SeaAir Global provides complete end-to-end Door-to-Door services for both import and export. This includes cargo pickup, export customs, international sea/air freight, import customs at destination, and final delivery.

For rice exports, shippers usually need a commercial invoice, packing list, contract, bill of lading, certificate of origin where applicable, phytosanitary certificate, fumigation certificate if required, and clear packing/container-loading details. Before booking, confirm the India destination port, payment terms, plant-quarantine requirements, sailing schedule, free time, moisture control, and packaging condition to reduce mold, bag damage, or inspection risks.

Coffee exports to Europe usually move by ocean FCL when the shipment volume can fill a container and cost control matters. LCL is suitable for samples, smaller orders, or split buyers, but packaging and odor contamination must be controlled. Air freight is normally reserved for samples, urgent cargo, or high-value lots because the cost per kg is much higher. Check C/O, phytosanitary requirements, packaging standards, moisture, and sailing schedules before quoting.

Lithium batteries and battery-powered devices are controlled under IATA DGR. Shippers need to identify the battery type, Wh rating or lithium content, battery condition, packing method, warning labels, MSDS/SDS, UN38.3 when required by the airline, and whether the goods are batteries only, packed with equipment, or contained in equipment. SeaAir must review documents before booking because not every airline or route accepts this cargo.

Chemicals or dangerous goods require at least the latest MSDS/SDS, trade name, composition, UN number if any, hazard class, packing group, packaging photos, net/gross weight, and packing method. Ocean shipments may need a DG declaration under IMDG; air shipments must be checked against IATA DGR. Even if the MSDS indicates non-DG, the carrier may still request a non-DG confirmation before acceptance.

Agricultural, fruit, and food exports require checks on quarantine rules, import permits at destination, phytosanitary or health certificates, storage temperature, shelf life, packaging, labels, and transit schedule. For reefer shipments, cargo should be pre-cooled before loading. For air freight, airport cut-off, screening, and packaging requirements must be checked early.

ISPM 15 mainly covers packaging made from raw wood, including pallets, crates, boxes, packing blocks, and dunnage used in international trade. Processed wood materials such as plywood or OSB are generally outside the standard’s scope. Covered packaging must receive an approved treatment and bear a valid, legible ISPM 15 mark; any additional certificate depends on destination or carrier requirements. Confirm the material type and import requirements before packing.

Provide dimensions and weight per package, current photos, technical drawings, center of gravity, lifting or securing points, packing condition, pickup and delivery addresses and site conditions, required cranes, and cargo ready date. These details are needed to assess trailers, flat rack or open top containers, breakbulk, route surveys, bridge or height restrictions, permits, escorts, lifting, and port receiving milestones. The final quote must be based on confirmed cargo data, required surveys, and relevant approvals.

Personal effects may not have a commercial invoice like business cargo, but they still need a detailed packing list, shipper/consignee details, shipment purpose, personal documents if required at destination, and confirmation that no prohibited items are included. Some countries strictly inspect used goods, food, medicine, batteries, cosmetics, or wooden items. SeaAir can review documents and risk before shipment.

Frozen goods, seafood, or temperature-controlled cargo should move by air when speed, high value, or short shelf life is the priority. Reefer containers are better for larger volumes, flexible schedules, and cost control. Confirm temperature setting, pre-cooling status, packaging, dry ice/gel pack if moving by air, health/quarantine certificates, and cold-chain handling at destination.

Samples, exhibition cargo, or urgent shipments usually fit air express or air freight economy depending on deadline and budget. Provide required arrival date, cargo value, dimensions/weight, temporary import/re-export requirements for exhibitions, and supporting documents. If the cargo includes batteries, liquids, cosmetics, food, or chemicals, restrictions must be checked before acceptance.

For a fast quote with the right scope, send the exact commodity and intended use, HS code if available, package count and type, length × width × height for each package type, gross weight per package and total, CBM, cargo and packaging photos, Incoterm, pickup and delivery points, cargo ready date, and required arrival deadline. Identify batteries, liquids, magnets, temperature control, fragile or high-value cargo, or DG, and provide MSDS, quarantine, C/O, or permits where applicable. These details determine the mode, chargeable weight, acceptance, customs risk, and charges outside the main freight.

An ocean freight quotation may include the main ocean freight, origin and destination local charges, pickup or delivery trucking, customs-clearance fees, documentation, insurance, and special handling. Import duties, VAT, inspection costs, storage, demurrage, and detention may be excluded unless stated. Ask the forwarder to show inclusions, exclusions, currency, validity, free time, and the applicable Incoterm before confirming the booking.

Compare quotations using the same route, cargo details, Incoterm, service scope, and delivery point. Check transit time, direct or transshipment service, free time, currency, quotation validity, local charges, possible surcharges, and excluded costs. The lowest ocean freight line is not necessarily the lowest total logistics cost.

LCL local charges cover warehouse receiving, CFS handling, consolidation or deconsolidation, documentation, screening, and minimum-charge rules. These activities still occur even when the shipment volume is small, so total local charges may not fall in direct proportion to CBM. Request a breakdown at both origin and destination before comparing LCL options.

There is no single validity period for every quotation. Validity depends on the carrier, route, capacity, fuel, peak-season surcharges, exchange rates, and the cargo-ready date. Use the validity date written on the quotation and ask SeaAir to reconfirm the rate and space before cargo pickup or booking confirmation.

Air freight is usually suitable for urgent, smaller, or higher-value cargo, while ocean FCL or LCL is generally better when cost control matters and the delivery window is more flexible. The decision should use actual dimensions, gross weight, CBM, commodity, cargo-ready date, and required arrival date rather than distance alone.

A door-to-door quotation should identify the pickup and delivery addresses, cargo details, Incoterm, export and import customs scope, duties and taxes, delivery access conditions, and who pays destination charges. It should also state whether the service uses air, FCL, or LCL and list important exclusions before booking.

Typical documents may include the sales contract, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading instructions, certificate of origin where applicable, phytosanitary or fumigation documents when required, and product or traceability information requested by the buyer. Exact requirements depend on the coffee product, destination country, importer, packaging, and current regulations, so the document set should be confirmed before booking.

UN3480 generally refers to lithium-ion batteries shipped by themselves. UN3481 generally covers lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment or contained in equipment. The classification affects airline acceptance, packing instructions, labels, documents, and routing, so the shipper must provide the battery specification and packing configuration for review before booking.

Import duty and VAT are not automatically included in every freight quotation. They depend on the HS code, customs value, origin, destination rules, C/O eligibility, and the agreed Incoterm. Ask the quotation provider to state clearly whether duties and taxes are included, estimated separately, or payable directly by the importer.

At customs clearance, the physical original label on the goods or commercial packaging must show at least the product name, country of origin, and the full or abbreviated name and address of the overseas manufacturer or party responsible for the goods. If certain information cannot be shown directly, the importer should prepare supporting documents as permitted by the applicable rules and check any sector-specific requirements. Obtain actual label photos before loading and compare them with the invoice, packing list, and product documents.

A Vietnamese supplementary label is not required before customs clearance in every case. If the foreign-language original label already meets the customs-stage requirements, the importer must add the Vietnamese label before the goods enter circulation in Vietnam. The supplementary label must be affixed to the goods or commercial packaging and must not obscure mandatory information on the original label. An earlier physical-label deadline under sector-specific law still applies where relevant.

Not in every case. For imported goods, the original-label information required at customs clearance—the product name, origin, and the name and address of the responsible overseas party—must remain on a physical label. Other mandatory information may be shown partly or wholly through an electronic label where permitted, with a clear and accessible method for retrieving it. Goods governed by sector-specific rules must also meet those separate requirements.

Normally, check at least the gate-in or CY cut-off, documentation or shipping-instruction cut-off, VGM cut-off, dangerous-goods cut-off for hazardous cargo, and reefer cut-off for refrigerated containers. The applicable milestones and exact times vary by carrier, terminal, route, cargo, and booking, and they may change when the vessel schedule changes. Use the latest booking confirmation and carrier or terminal notice, and allow buffers for packing, customs declaration, VGM weighing, and container gate-in.

No. Incoterms 2020 mainly allocate seller and buyer obligations for delivery, transport, transfer of risk, costs, insurance, and export or import formalities. The price, payment method, transfer of ownership, product quality, breach remedies, and dispute resolution must still be addressed separately in the sales contract and under the applicable law. State the selected rule, the precise named place or port, and “Incoterms 2020” in the contract.

Provide dimensions and weight for each machine, center of gravity, lifting or securing points, vulnerable components, removable parts, technical drawings, and current photos. Also describe factory access, available lifting equipment, transport mode and route, expected storage time, destination requirements, and cargo ready date. The design should address moisture and corrosion protection, base strength, lifting, and securing inside the container, based on a site survey and final equipment data.

Before booking, identify the exact product, wood species, raw-material or finished-product status, HS code, and legal-origin records. Then check destination requirements for import, quarantine, treatment, marking, and permits, together with the invoice, packing list, C/O, or other documents where applicable. Raw-wood packaging should be checked for ISPM 15 compliance. Also review moisture, bundle dimensions and weight, factory container-loading conditions, cargo ready date, and all cut-offs. Requirements vary by product and market and must be verified for each shipment.