customs clearance
Description
Move containers and consolidated cargo on the lanes that matter: USA, Europe, Canada, Far East, and the Middle East. Choose FCL or LCL, port-to-port or door-to-door, with factory stuffing, multimodal options, and coverage at seaports and dry ports. Progress stays visible with order follow-up and supply-chain tracking, plus supervision from pickup to final delivery. Share origin and destination—get the best sea option.
Glossary
Term | Definition |
FCL (Full Container Load) | One shipper books the entire container—sealed at origin, opened at destination. |
LCL (Less than Container Load) | Cargo from multiple shippers shares one container; cost-effective for smaller volumes. |
TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) | Standard container measurement—one 20-ft container = 1 TEU; one 40-ft = 2 TEU. |
B/L (Bill of Lading) | The shipping contract, cargo receipt, and title document—needed to collect goods at destination. |
Demurrage | Port charge for keeping a container inside the terminal beyond free time allowance. |
Detention | Charge for holding a container outside the port (e.g., at your warehouse) beyond free time. |
Free Time | Days allowed to use the container or terminal space before demurrage or detention charges begin. |
CFS (Container Freight Station) | Warehouse where LCL cargo is consolidated or deconsolidated before/after vessel loading. |
NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier) | A freight forwarder that issues its own bills of lading but doesn’t own ships. |
Transshipment | Cargo transferred from one vessel to another at an intermediate port en route to final destination. |
THC (Terminal Handling Charges) | Port fees for moving containers between the vessel and the terminal yard. |
BAF / CAF | Bunker Adjustment Factor (fuel surcharge) and Currency Adjustment Factor (exchange-rate surcharge). |
Ports, timing, and hidden charges—decoded.
Egypt’s main gateways are Alexandria, Port Said, Damietta, and Ain Sokhna—each serves different hinterlands and shipping lines. Suez Canal transit cuts Asia-Europe voyages by roughly 10 days versus the Cape route, keeping Egypt central to global lanes. Free time at port is typically 7–14 days; after that, demurrage (container) and detention (chassis) charges stack daily. FCL makes sense above 12–15 CBM; below that, LCL consolidation usually wins on cost. Confirm container availability early—equipment shortages spike after Chinese New Year and during Q4 export surges. Tip: Request “carrier haulage” quotes alongside “merchant haulage” to compare total landed cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Accurate HS codes, complete documents, and early ACI/NAFEZA submissions are key—pre-clearance before vessel arrival often saves days at the port.
Yes—our customs team reviews product descriptions, data sheets, and samples to suggest the correct codes and expected duty rates.
Typically commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/air waybill, certificate of origin, and any licenses or approvals required for specific goods.
We manage entries into free zones and temporary-import schemes so your project equipment or re-export goods do not incur unnecessary duties.
We coordinate the inspection appointment, support customs officers on-site, and help answer questions so the process finishes as quickly as possible.