Document chain

FAS works only when the cargo genuinely sits alongside the vessel

fas alongside vessel is decided on paper long before the container reaches a port. These are the documents that actually carry the decision.

The base document: bulk versus containers

The rule suits bulk and heavy-lift cargo delivered quayside; it is a poor fit for containers that are gated into a terminal days before loading.

We keep the original and the declared version side by side, so a discrepancy is visible before filing.

The supporting records: berth and cutoff

State the berth or terminal and the cutoff in the contract, otherwise 'alongside' has no operational meaning for the trucking plan.

Missing or inconsistent values here are the single most common reason a declaration is queried.

What the destination needs: quayside delivery

Under FAS the seller delivers when the goods are placed alongside the named vessel at the port of shipment, and the buyer takes export clearance from there.

The destination broker works from the same pack we filed from, which shortens any query cycle.

The failure point we see most often: Using FAS for a container booking and assuming the seller remains responsible until the box is loaded.

Have these ready before filing:

Commercial invoice and packing list with matching values and descriptions.
Classification, origin and any licence references used in the declaration.
Booking reference, transport document and the consignee’s broker contact.

Questions importers ask us

Who is responsible for getting this right on a China-origin shipment?

The shipper supplies accurate product and value data; Hovmar Logistics checks the file before submission and coordinates with the destination broker. We confirm the split in writing at booking.

Can Hovmar review this before the cargo leaves Shenzhen?

Yes. Send the commercial invoice, packing list and intended classification before cutoff and our customs desk will flag gaps while they are still easy to fix.

Where this fits in your shipment

Planning a shipment from Shenzhen?

Request a routed freight quote · Chat on WhatsApp · info@hovmar.com

Notes from the Hovmar Logistics customs desk in Shenzhen. Confirm current requirements with your licensed broker before filing.