How to book empty container for factory/CFS/ICD/port stuffing

The information provided here is part of Import Export online Training

This is a simple question – What are the procedures to book an empty container with shipping line for factory/CFS/ICD/port stuffing? Can a shipper be allotted empty container for stuffing of his goods immediately up on contacting shipping carrier? Where does the empty container of shipping carrier lie?

Once the cargo packed and ready for export, shipper makes arrangements to ship the said goods to buyer’s place as per his purchase order or Letter of Credit. He enquires with shipping lines or freight forwarders to get the best ocean freight and services, if the freight terms are on ‘Pre Paid’ basis. He finalizes a carrier and confirms his acceptance of freight.

If the shipment is on nomination basis, the shipper contacts shipping carrier to whom his buyer nominated.

The carrier requests the shipper to book the container either online or by e-mail by providing details required by the carrier. After completion of booking procedures, carrier provides a booking confirmation to the shipper, by issuing a ‘deliver order’ to pick up the container from their empty container yard. Means, each shipping line has their own or hired location/yard to park their empty containers. The booking confirmation/delivery order to pick up empty container is mentioned the place of yard/location where the empty container lies.

The shipper or his customs broker arrange a transport truck to move the said empty container from carrier’s yard to his factory for stuffing. A stack period is given to shipper by carrier to return back the stuffed container. ‘Stack period’ is the period allotted to ship authorities to return all stuffed containers to port terminal for loading in to a particular vessel. The empty container is moved to exporter’s factory for factory/CFS/ICD/port stuffing.