Export Logistics Guide: Loading, Paperwork and Delivery

The certificate of origin shows in which country the goods were produced; A.TR and EUR.1 are movement certificates that serve as the basis for goods to benefit from preferential customs treatment under the relevant agreements. Which one is required varies by country and agreement.

• The certificate of origin is generally issued by the competent chamber or authority; the customs of the destination country may ask for it.
• The A.TR is the document used for the movement of industrial products under the customs union between Turkey and the European Union.
• The EUR.1 is requested for the movement of goods with preferential origin under free trade agreements.
• The document should be requested before the shipment leaves, since asking for it after departure can complicate the process.

The document type, conditions and scope of validity can change; verify the current rule with the relevant authority and your customs broker.

Working with Konsol Logistics starts when you send your cargo details through the Quick Quote form. Your customer representative sets out the framework of the quotation with you, and planning, document preparation, transport and tracking are then run in coordination with partners.

1. Request and quotation: the cargo, the route and the preferred transport mode are defined.
2. Planning: the booking, the loading date and, if needed, the truck or container requirement are fixed.
3. Documents: the commercial invoice, packing list and transport documents are prepared.
4. Transport and tracking: the status of the cargo is followed, and you are told about important developments.
5. Delivery: the cargo is handed over to the consignee, and any shortage or damage is put on record right away.

The details of each step vary with the transport mode and the destination country.

FCL is sea freight in which a whole container is set aside for a single shipper; LCL is sea freight in which the cargo of several shippers is consolidated in one container. Which one is more economical depends on the cargo volume, the route and the calendar.

• FCL: the cargo is usually loaded and sealed at your warehouse or factory; there is little handling, and you largely decide the loading time.
• LCL: the cargo is combined with other loads at the consolidation warehouse (CFS); you pay only for the space you take up, but the calendar depends on the consolidation schedule.

If your cargo fills most of a container, ask for an FCL quote as well, because beyond a certain point the unit cost of shared transport can approach that of a full container. Putting the two quotes side by side is the most reliable comparison.

The most common sea containers are the 20' and 40' standard dry containers and the 40' High Cube; refrigerated (reefer) units serve temperature-controlled cargo, and open top and flat rack units are used for top-loading or out-of-gauge loads. The choice depends on the weight, volume and requirements of the cargo.

• The 20' container stands out for dense, heavy cargo, while the 40' and High Cube suit light but bulky loads.
• For a reefer, the temperature range, pre-cooling and power connection must be settled from the start.
• Special equipment such as open top and flat rack calls for dimension details and often carrier approval.

Capacity, weight limits and equipment availability vary by line and period, so confirm the current values with the carrier.