FAQs

Incoterms (current version 2000) are a set of internationally recognised trade terms which determine the delivery responsibilities of the seller and the acceptance obligations of the buyer.

The most commonly used are:- Ex Works, FOB (Free on Board), FCA (Free Carrier Agent), CFR (Carriage and Freight), CPT (Carriage Paid To (named point), CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight), CIP (Carriage and Insurance Paid to (named point).

Correct use of incoterms is essential to avoid misunderstandings and they will afford good protection in the event of disputes. For further information please click here.

No! Most Freight Forwarders, unless they specifically advise you otherwise, trade under limited liability conditions. This is the case with most other elements in the Supply Chain, e.g. hauliers, warehouses, ports, terminals, airlines, shipping lines etc. These limits will seldom come anywhere near the value of your goods, unless exceptional agreements are made.

Therefore, it is the responsibility of the owner of the goods to ensure Cargo Insurance Cover is in place to protect your specific consignments as they journey from A to B.

This will cover such risks as loss, damage, pilferage, strikes and riots, etc., until your cargo reaches a defined destination. Certain cargoes may attract exclusion clauses.

Therefore, you must not assume a Forwarder gives you full protection and most will need to be instructed in writing to affect cover on your behalf. You will be charged a premium for doing so.

It is important that you identify who is responsible for Insuring and you should refer to the Incoterm being used for your transaction.

Even if your buyer is responsible for effecting cover, you may wish to have in place a low cost Seller Risk Policy, for additional protection should you find your buyer is in default and the goods still remain your property.

Since January 2005, Forwarders can no longer offer direct policy cover unless they are registered and controlled by the Governments Financial Services Agency.

Packing is expensive and generally necessary. You have to consider both the value and the fragility of your product and then look at the stresses of the journey your goods will undertake.

For goods travelling as full loads in a Steel shipping container or on a trailer, packing can be much lighter – providing they will not be transhipped en-route (i.e. being discharged from one unit and reloaded to another).

For goods travelling by Air, cardboard and plywood protection will probably be adequate and will save both on materials and shipping weight. Making outer packages a closer fit will also save on shipping costs, which are almost always based on weight or
measurement, and will also mean less risk of movement of contents in transit, which will reduce damage or loss.

However, if your goods are going to be shipped with other peoples’ cargoes, packing must be adequate to withstand the rigours of handling and contact with other goods.

You also need to consider heat, cold, humidity and what will happen on discharge at destination.

2 KEY POINTS

1) Make sure your Insurers are satisfied with your packing standards as this can affect claims.

2) Remember to include packing costs in your product pricing.

Not all shipping containers are the same, so you should ask your Euromed Representative what is the best container to use. The answer to this question also depends on the speed with which you want your container to arrive, the volume of goods you are shipping and your budget!If Consignment is being shipped using marine shipping; a comprehensive list of container sizes, specifications and dimensions can be found by following this link.

You would use this method of transportation, if you need the goods to get to destination quickly, because you are shipping perishables, with limited shelf life. You may consider Air Freight also if you are moving valuable items or you simply need the goods to get to destination quickly, the difference door to door between air freight shipments and marine shipments is approximately 25 days, subject to availability of shipments. Euromed offers a cargo consolidation service, which means you get the best deal as you share hold space with other cargo destined for the same destination.

Euromed can arrange for delivery to your destination address in North Cyprus. This will be discussed with you through our local agents. They can also discuss with you, the process required to pick up goods yourself from the port.It is vital to remember that when collecting your goods at the docks or releasing them for moving to your North Cyprus home, you must produce the appropriate paperwork. 

Euromed Agents will be happy to provide you with a free no obligation quotation, once a full assessment of your shipping needs has been established, this is a personal service which we pride ourselves on providing.