Importing From Qingdao to the UK

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The Port of Qingdao is a seaport on the Yellow Sea in Qingdao, Shandong Province, in China, and is one of the ten busiest ports globally.

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Importing From Qingdao to the UK

The process of importing from Qingdao to the UK is filled with complicated paperwork. The most important documents are the following:

  • Bill of Lading
  • Commercial invoice
  • Packing list

Many beginner importers make mistakes such as losing documents or having contradicting information in their documents, resulting in costly delays, inspections, and fees. Therefore, we have created this guide to help you handle the three most important documents involved when importing from Qingdao to the UK.

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The Bill of Lading/Air Waybill

When planning to import or export a shipment, you need a document that provides the details about the shipment and the terms of the shipping contract. In the case of air transport, this document is the air waybill, and in maritime transport, the Sea waybill is also called the Bill of Lading.

The BOL acts as a –

  • receipt for shipping,
  • as a title of goods, and
  • as a contract of carriage.

When you accept a shipping quote from a freight forwarder, the forwarder will draft the BOL and send the draft to you to confirm that the details match what is on the commercial invoice.

The freight forwarder serves the bill of lading when they take control of the goods, either at your supplier’s warehouse or Qingdao port. Forwarders typically release the BOL as three original documents, and all three are required to collect the cargo. Your supplier will need to send you the original BOL or a telex release to present to UK customs once your cargo arrives. If the supplier sends the original BOL via post, then a telex release is not acceptable. Working with the original BOL carries the inherent risk of loss.

Lost Bills of Lading pose a big problem because sea carriers hand out containers based on the BOL. If the BOL is unavailable, then you may not be allowed to collect the goods. If the container remains in the port for too long, it attracts a downtime or demurrage fee.

REQUIREMENTS

Import Requirements

So what do you do when you have lost the BOL?

So what do you do when you have lost the BOL?

The local courier company in Qingdao, the exporter, or the importer (you) must prepare additional complicated documents to release the cargo. The forwarder may also charge you a fee to release the cargo without the BOL.

If you lose the Bill of Lading, you will need to prepare and obtain the following documents:

  • A written statement of loss;
  • Bank guarantee;
  • Packing list;
  • Commercial invoice;
  • Shipper’s approval;
  • A copy of the Letter of Credit – if you paid the seller through a Letter of Credit);
  • Letter of indemnity – drafted by the shipper;
  • Letter of indemnity – drafted by the recipient;
  • Formal request to release cargo without the Original Bill of Lading or to issue new Original Bills of Lading

Commercial Invoice

Commercial Invoice

The commercial invoice is a document detailing the financial transaction between you and the supplier, and it acts as proof of purchase. As the buyer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your supplier has issued you a commercial invoice. Both Chinese export and UK import customs require the commercial invoice to calculate the applicable duties and taxes. Unlike the BOL, the commercial invoice does not transfer ownership of the goods to you. Ideally, the commercial invoice is issued in English. If the invoice is issued in Mandarin, at least the detailed description of the goods should be in English. Also, including commodity codes will significantly speed up customs clearance. To avoid fines and costly inspections for smooth customs clearance, ensure that the BOL details match those on the commercial invoice. These details include:

  • Your details e.g. name, address, phone number and EORI number.
  • exporter’s details
  • notify party – forwarders details
  • invoice number – matching the number on the Packing List
  • invoice date
  • order number
  • shipping information – forwarding agent and date of export
  • a clear description of each item corresponding to the Packing List and Bill of Lading
  • HS codes
  • Incoterm
  • the price of each item
  • total sale amount
  • payment instructions
  • insurance
  • origin of goods
  • invoice signature with the issuer’s stamp

Packing List

Packing List

A Packing List shows how the seller/forwarder packed the goods for inspection and shipping purposes. The Packing List provides information about your shipment and requires your signature upon the receipt of your goods. The exporter issues the packing list. However, if your freight forwarder repacks the goods at their warehouse, the forwarder bears responsibility of completing the document and attaching it to the goods in a pouch.

We are friendly, easy to work with, honest and we do not charge the earth.

We pride ourselves in being friendly experts here at Barrington who will guide you through the shipping process without overwhelming you with jargon or exaggerated fees. Is your supplier sending goods to Qingdao port? Begin your shipping journey with us by requesting a friendly quote.

We will handle all steps of the process. When your goods arrive, you can choose our 24 express delivery to your location or pick up the goods at our warehouse at the Bowden Terminal in Basildon, Essex.

Sophie Benge
Sophie Benge
2024-02-06
Joshua at Barrington Freight is friendly and patient. Their service hassle-free and affordable compared to other freight forwarders.
Alex Burton
Alex Burton
2024-02-04
Fantastic service from Barrington Freight. It was our first time exporting goods from the UK and it was very reassuring to have them manage the shipment. The process was made easy and hassle free and Simon was always quick to respond to any queries. I would highly recommend.
Mat Wilkinson
Mat Wilkinson
2024-01-22
these guys are excellent. Incredibly helpful, flexible and friendly- i cant recommend them highly enough- genuinely a brilliant team.
Top Tips
Top Tips
2023-11-14
The guys at Barrington are brilliant! I've used them for my shipments for around 12 years now and they never let you down. Always happy to help with anything!
David Darrock
David Darrock
2023-11-10
Barrington Freight are extremely helpful and professional, promptly answering any questions or queries. Communication from them has been great and they have taken the difficulty out of importing freight.
Scott Glazebrook
Scott Glazebrook
2023-11-01
Our business is the supply of high end luxury furniture and as such we rely on Barrington Freight to provide a 5* delivery service which they have done time and time again. Reliable, friendly and efficient sums up this great approachable freight forwarding business.
Krishan Dhillon
Krishan Dhillon
2023-11-01
10/10, dealt with everything start to finish. Customer service was friendly and helpful
Sharmane Barrett
Sharmane Barrett
2023-10-20
We had a last minute request and Lee was fantastic in helping us to arrange transportation and facilitate delivery from Europe, very quickly with no hiccups. I would highly recommend.
Simon Edgecombe
Simon Edgecombe
2023-10-16
HAVING USED MANY SHIPPERS TO IMPORT OUR GOODS FROM THE USA (NONE OUTSTANDING) I DECIDED THIS TIME TO HAVE A SEARCH AROUND TO SEE IF I COULD FIND A BETTER OPTION. I FOUND BARRINGTON FREIGHT AFTER EMAILING MANY OTHERS, SOME OF THEM (UPS,DHL,FEDEX) SIMPLY TOOK SO LONG TO CONTACT ME, THAT IT BECAME STUPID, SIMON AT BARRINGTON CAME BACK TO ME VIRTUALLY STRAIGHT AWAY WITH A VERY GOOD PRICE, ALSO GOOD SHIPPING TIMES. NOW A SERVICE IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE RESULTS, AND THEY WERE AS GOOD AS THEIR WORD. HAPPY TO HAVE FOUND THEM AND SIMON AT BARRINGTON FREIGHT WILL BE THE FIRST PERSON WE GO TO NEXT TIME, WELL DONE!!