Failure points

A working note on exw fob from our Shenzhen team

When exw fob goes wrong the symptom is normally a hold, a query or an unexpected charge. Here is what we check first on a Section 337 sample shipment to a US law firm.

The failure we see most often: origin evidence supporting a preference claim

If the file is still queried, origin evidence supporting a preference claim is the record we produce from the declaration worksheet. We answer with the original evidence, not an explanation written afterwards, which is usually enough to close the query.

This check takes minutes at origin and days to fix at destination, so we never skip it.

How we verify before filing: the carrier booking reference

The failure we see most often with exw fob is a mismatch in the carrier booking reference. On a Section 337 sample shipment to a US law firm it surfaces as a hold or a request for clarification after the cargo has already moved.

A second person reviews the file against the commercial invoice before submission.

What happens if it is queried: the arrival notice and response deadline

To verify before filing we check the arrival notice and response deadline before the container is gated in. A second person reads it against the commercial invoice; the check takes minutes at origin and days to repeat at destination.

We respond with the original evidence pack, not a reconstructed explanation.

The failure point we see most often: The free-time clock is counted from the wrong event, so a demurrage charge arrives that nobody budgeted for.

Have this ready before filing: Booking reference, transport document and the consignee’s broker contact details.

Prevention at origin is the cheapest form of logistics support.

Questions importers ask us

How early should we raise this with your team?

Raise it at booking. Once the transport document is issued, most of these fields can only be changed through a formal amendment with the carrier.

Does Hovmar handle this for shipments we book ourselves?

We can take on the origin coordination as a standalone service, provided the carrier booking and consignee details are shared with us at the same time.

Can Hovmar review exw fob for our next shipment?

Send the commercial invoice, packing list and intended routing before cutoff. Our Shenzhen desk will check the file and flag gaps while they are still easy to fix.

Where this fits in your shipment

Planning a shipment from Shenzhen?

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