An Intermodal Container is a large standardized shipping container, designed and built for Intermodal Freight Transport. Containers can be used across different modes of transport such as from Ship to rail or truck with no need to unload, reload or transfer the cargo. This equipment is primarily used to store and transport materials and products efficiently and securely in a global containerized intermodal Freight Transport System, from door to door.

There are different type of containers for every need of transport, all of them stackable and equipped with devices in the corners and the cavities of the base that allow horizontal or vertical handling and its attachment to the transport vehicle or other containers.

Their main sizes are 45, 40, 20 feet, and large capacity (high cube container or HC).

The unit of measure of the container is the TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), which is equivalent to 20 feet (6.10m). The global capacities of the ships or the terminals of the containers are measured by the TEU.

The rules of Incoterms (acronym for International Commercial Terms) are defined by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), with the goal of contributing to the legalsecurity in international transactions for the sale of goods and the homogenization of the delivery terms.

When the international trade transactions are being made, one of the aspects that have to be set is the place where the good will be delivered. This place, previously agreed between the buyer and the seller, has to be reflected in the international sales contract. To express in the contract how will the good be the delivered could be done two different ways: One, by defining as exact as possible the place of delivery, who si in charge of the transportation, who assumes the risk, who should be in charge of the import/export formalities, etc. and also, in different languages. And second, by using the rules of Incoterms.

Basic Guide to the Exporter

To obtain good results in international trade operations, it is necessary to have adequately investigated the destination market, knowing the target customers and create an export plan.

This plan has to include the proposition of value, the level of detail of the competitive advantages, the management of sales, the planning of the finance, the pricing policy, payment systems, the protection against fluctuations in the exchange of rates or the type of insurance to be used.

It is important to know the regulations of the product that is going to be exported, if thereare barriers to their importation into the country of destination, if there is any restrictions or fees, if it is to be accompanied by special documentation, what are the regulations on labelling, and the cultural differences that may exist in the process of negotiating the international sales contract.

The export plan should also provide for the logistics process to deliver the goods to the buyer. Spiforwarder is the international logistics operator that will advise you, he will select the most appropriate mode of transport and coordinate all the necessary operations to ensure that their goods arrive at their destination with the highest security, at the right time and the lowest possible cost.

This logistical process, may require the assessment of possible costs on arrival, in accordance with the rule of Incoterms 2010, or a careful planning and assurance of confidentiality in the case of triangular operations or crosstrade.

This contract is a key element to develop trade relationships, to avoid potential disputes and for its economic and legal functions. There are contracts proposed by the International Chamber of Commerce for the different types of merchandise and possible situations.

Depending on the relationship of trust between the parties, the business risk and the country from where the payment will be issued, you can agree on a payment method with higher or lower guarantees.

The risk of nonpayment can be avoided by making the payment in advance, or if you hire an insurance policy or by a payment method with bank guarantees.

The role of customs is to control the entry and exit of goods of a country, authorize or refuse exports and imports and the transit of goods. This is not the case of the European Union where there is a free transit of people and goods in a customs regime.

In the export, customs dispatches the goods in accordance with the documentation presented by the customs representative next to the single administrative document (DUA), and collects the taxes and fees that apply.

SPI advises the exporting company with:

• The destinations and customs regimes that correspond with the operation.
• The documents to be presented at the customs office of export and, if applicable, in the country of destination.
• Anticipate possible delays due to inspections, wether documentary or physical goods.
• It is desirable for the importing company of the country of destination to be in charge of customs office.

Next to the single administrative document (SAD), according to the operation and the nature of the imported goods, the most common documents that must be submitted to the customs are:

• Commercial Invoice.
• Certifications in function of the commercial policy of the country of destination:
  • Import license or authorization.
  • Authorization of quota.
  • Agrex certificate to import.
• Certificate of origin, if there are tariff reduction, or documentation that proves the source in the event of bilateral agreements. Models: FORM-A, EUR-1 or ATR
• Transport and insurance data depending on the conditions of delivery agreed.
• Product Certifications that may be required: health, veterinary, Soivre, pharmacy, phytosanitary, low voltage, approval, etc.
• If the value is greater than 10,000 €, the DV-1.
• Exceptionally, may require physical inspection photographs, catalogs, specific certifications, etc.
• Transport Documents, depending on the mode of transport used

Basic Guide to Importer

There may be many reasons for importing products: innovation, quality, costs, new business devolopment or simply, the willing to pen new markets. In all situations, to set up an import plan will become necessary.

Once we gather all necessary information about,the plan starts to be turn in the guide of this process. It must include everything, from the value proposition to the detail of competitive advantages and distribution management, financing planning, pricing policy, payment systems or protection against Exchange rates fluctuations.

A right knowledge of the rules that affects the product we are going to be imported is very important. If there are hurdles, custom tariffs or any kind of restriction to its import, if specific Documentation is required or if it is approved, among other relevant issues.

This Plan has also to consider the whole logistics process involved during importation. SPI is the International Logistics operator that will advise you about how to handle and deliver your goods in the most simplest way, assesing the cost at origin and advising you about the most conveniente Incoterm to choose or the best transport mode for your importation, taking care of all formalities from door to door. All this without loosing sight of the cost.

International Sales Contract becomes a key element to develop Business relationships, avoiding possible misunderstandings and it is also important and due to its economic and legal functions. There are several contract models proposed by the International Chamber of Commerce depending on cargo nature and any particular scene.

Depending on the relationship and trust existing among parties and country in which the payment will be effected a sort of payment with greater or lesser guarantees can be agreed.

Risk situations due to non-compliance can be under control if we decide a payment in advance or if we resort to an insurance policy or payment is effect throught bank guarantees.

Customs role consists in control the entry and exit of goods, to authorize or to deny export, import or transit operations. This is not for the countries of the European Union, where it exist a free movement treat for people and goods under a common customs regime.

For export pursposes, Customs clears the goods according to the documentation presented by the customs agent together to the Single Administrative Document (SAD), collecting taxes and duties as it correspond.

SPI provides professional advice to importer concerning following fields:

• Customs regime and customs arrangements that matches with a particular operation.
• Advise about all export documents needed, including those who will be necessary at destination.
• Prevention of possible export procedure delays due to documental or physical requirements.
• Advise depending on destination Country, which part has to take care about the customs clearance at arrival.

Documents usually demanded for an import clearance are:

• Commercial Invoice.
• Various Certifications or attestations based on local commercial policy:
  • Import Licence.
  • Quota Authorization.
  • Agrex Certification.
• Packing List.
  • Certificates of Origin (if any) in all its possible variants depending on country of origen.
  • Transport documents based on transport mode such us Bill of Lading, Air Way Bill, CMR, ATA Carnet, etc.
  • Product Certification may be required:_Plant, Health, Drugs, SOIVRE, BIP (Border Inspection Point), Homologation Inspections, etc.
• If cargo value is higher than 10000EUR, than a Csutoms Value Statement (DV-1) is needed.

On exceptional occasions, additional material is needed such as cargo pictures, cathalogs, sketchs, etc,