Foreign Trade Shipping Process

From booking to final delivery — three stages, three lanes (Export · Carrier/Docs · Import) — and four common cost & risk traps to watch.

Factory to Houston Dock S/O · EIR · MBL · HBL · D/O 4 Cost & Risk Traps
3
Stages
Pre-shipment · Port operations · Final delivery
3
Parties Involved
Exporter · Carrier · Importer
5+
Key Documents
S/O · EIR · MBL · HBL · D/R · D/O · Arrival Notice
4
Cost & Risk Traps
Demurrage · Damage · Washing · Storage
USA Market Texas Houston Customs Clearance 2026 Trade Shows E-Commerce & Retail Foreign TradeWarehousing & Logistics Latin America

Browse This Report

Pick a section below to open just that part of the report.

← Back to List
One Picture, Whole Process

3 Stages · China Factory to Your Door

From booking the slot to returning the empty container — every step in the export / carrier / import lanes, with the documents that link them.

STAGE 1 前置准备 · Pre-Shipment Preparation
Export · 出口/发货人
Book the slot, pull the empty container, load it at the factory.
Step 1
订舱
Booking
Step 2
提空箱
Pick Up Empty
Step 3
工厂装箱
Loading
Carrier / Docs
S/O 入仓单/订舱单Shipping Order
EIR 设备交接单Equipment Interchange Receipt
Import · 进口/收货人
Sign the contract, open the L/C or pre-pay to secure the goods.
Step 1
签订贸易合同
Contract
Step 2
🏦
开立信用证 / 预付货款
L/C or Pre-Payment
STAGE 2 港口作业 · Port Operations · Core Shipment Phase
Export · 出口/发货人
Send the loaded container to the terminal, declare exports, board the vessel.
Step 1
🏗️
送箱集港
Gate In
Step 2
出口报关
Customs Declaration
Step 3
🚢
装船出运
Load Ship
Carrier / Docs
MBL 主提单Master Bill of Lading
HBL 分提单House Bill of Lading
D/R 场站收据Dock Receipt
Import · 进口/收货人
Pay the carrier, swap the B/L for D/O, file destination customs.
Step 1
付款换单
Exchange D/O
Step 2
🛂
进口报关
Customs Clearance
STAGE 3 末端交付 · Final Delivery · Pick-Up & Settlement
Export · 出口/发货人
Receive payment, settle FX — the trade is closed.
Step 1
收汇结汇
Payment Settlement
Carrier / Docs
Arrival Notice 到货通知Sent to consignee
Import · 进口/收货人
Discharge at port, pick up the loaded container, return the empty.
Step 1
目的港卸船
Discharge
Step 2
🚛
码头提货
Pick Up Heavy
Step 3
↩️
归还空箱
Return Empty
← Back to List
⚠️ 4 Common Cost & Risk Traps

Where Money Quietly Leaks

These are the four fees that catch first-time importers off-guard. Lock the timeline, protect the box, and clear customs early.

滞期费

Demurrage / Detention

超期用箱/用柜产生的费用。提前算好还箱时间,否则按天计费,价格陡升。

损箱费

Damage Fee

箱体损坏 / 污损产生的赔偿费。装货 / 拆货时注意保护柜子,避免擦碰、刮伤、内壁污染。

💧

水洗费

Washing Fee

还箱前清洁箱体的费用。有污渍 / 残留物会被收清洁费,木屑、油渍尤其常见。

🏗️

滞港费

Port Storage

货物超期堆存码头产生的费用。清关一定要及时,否则码头按天收存储费,且涨幅快。

For wholesale buyers shipping from Asia to the U.S. via sea freight — Cube-Age handles destination clearance, last-mile, and Houston-hub distribution.

Ready to Enter the U.S. Market?

Cube-Age helps manufacturers and distributors establish wholesale operations in the Americas.

Request a Quote