A Beginner’s Guide to International Sea Freight: From Booking to Delivery

If you are new to international shipping, sea freight can feel complex at first. There are multiple stages, unfamiliar terminology, and several parties involved. The good news is that once you understand the process, sea freight becomes a structured and manageable way to move goods around the world.

This guide provides a simple overview of how international sea freight works, from the initial booking through to final delivery.

Step 1: Understanding Your Shipment

Before anything is booked, it is important to understand the basics of what you are shipping. This includes:

The type of goods
How they are packaged
Their size and weight
Whether they require any special handling or documentation

At this stage, you will also determine whether your cargo will move as a full container load or a shared container with other shipments. A freight forwarder can help you decide what is most appropriate based on your cargo profile.

Step 2: Making a Booking

Once the shipment details are confirmed, your freight forwarder arranges the booking with a shipping line. This involves reserving space on a vessel and selecting the appropriate container type if required.

You will be asked to provide shipping instructions, which include information such as the shipper, consignee, cargo description, and destination. Accuracy at this stage is essential, as this information flows through the rest of the shipping process.

Step 3: Preparing the Cargo for Export

Before your goods can leave the origin, they must be properly prepared. This typically includes:

Packaging suitable for sea transport
Labelling that meets international requirements
Completing export documentation
Arranging delivery of the cargo to the port or container loading location

Depending on the shipment, the container may be loaded at your premises, at a warehouse, or at the port.

Step 4: Export Customs Clearance

For international shipments, export customs clearance is required. This involves submitting the relevant paperwork to the customs authority in the country of origin.

Your freight forwarder or customs broker handles this process on your behalf, ensuring that declarations are accurate and compliant. Once cleared, the cargo is authorised to leave the country.

Step 5: Ocean Transit

After export clearance, the container is loaded onto the vessel. During this stage, the cargo travels from the port of origin to the destination port.

Throughout the journey, shipment status updates are available through your freight forwarder, who monitors progress and addresses any issues that may arise along the way.

Step 6: Arrival and Import Customs Clearance

When the vessel arrives at the destination port, the cargo must clear import customs. This step requires:

Import declarations
Supporting documentation such as the bill of lading, commercial invoice, and packing list
Any permits or certificates required by local authorities

Customs clearance must be completed before the goods can be released from the port.

Step 7: Final Delivery

Once customs clearance is complete, the cargo can move to its final destination. This may involve:

Container delivery to a warehouse or site
Unloading and return of the empty container
Transfer to onward transport if required

Your freight forwarder coordinates this final stage to ensure the cargo is delivered as planned.

Common Terms First-Time Shippers Should Know

Sea freight comes with its own terminology. A few key terms include:

Bill of lading: the main transport document for ocean shipments
Container: the steel unit used to transport goods by sea
Port of loading and port of discharge: where the cargo departs and arrives
Consignee: the party receiving the goods

A good freight forwarder will explain these terms clearly and help you understand what they mean for your shipment.

How Campbell McCleave Helps New Sea Freight Shippers

At Campbell McCleave, we regularly support businesses that are shipping by sea for the first time. We guide clients through each stage of the process, explain requirements in plain language, and manage the coordination between ports, carriers, and customs authorities.

Our aim is to make international sea freight straightforward and transparent, so you always know what is happening and what comes next.

Final Thoughts

International sea freight does not need to be complicated. With a basic understanding of the steps involved and the right support in place, first-time shippers can move goods globally with confidence.

If you are new to exporting or importing by sea, having a knowledgeable logistics partner makes all the difference. We are always happy to talk through the process and help you get started on the right footing.