Mr Dove China-Africa Shipping

17/03/2026

Our container was rolled.
By Mr Dove
“Container rolled" or "Rolling" is a professional term in international shipping.

It originates from the fact that shipping lines will "roll" containers that miss the vessel to the next available voyage. In bill of lading or shipping terminology, this situation is often referred to as Short-shipped (meaning cargo that should have been loaded but was left behind).

The minimum delay caused by a roll-over is one week, and in severe cases, it can exceed three weeks.

The core reason for this phenomenon can be summarized in one sentence: It is a "planned overbooking" strategy by shipping lines to maximize profits.

To secure more cargo, shipping lines always book far more space than the vessel's actual capacity. They gamble on the fact that some freight forwarders will misjudge their timing or encounter issues with cargo or documentation, preventing them from shipping as planned. The extra space from these cancellations allows the line to fill the ship completely. However, once the vessel's utilization exceeds expectations, some containers must be "sacrificed."

For shippers, collaborating with an experienced freight forwarding company can reduce the risk of being rolled. This is because shipping lines typically prioritize high-value cargo and the space for their major, long-term clients. If your forwarder secures a low rate, or if your cargo description makes it prone to customs inspections, your container is more likely to be "short-shipped" when the vessel is full.

Of course, for time-sensitive shipments (such as goods for Christmas), it is crucial to allow sufficient transit time. Keep the schedule in your own control, rather than relying on the vessel's sailing speed.

05/02/2026

Why Should the Seller Pay the Booking Fee and Telex Release Fee in FOB Trade?

In international trade, FOB (Free On Board) is one of the most commonly used terms, but it often leads to disputes between buyers and sellers over certain costs, especially regarding who should bear the booking fee and telex release fee. Many suppliers may question when faced with invoices from the buyer's appointed freight forwarder: Should I really be responsible for these fees?

According to international trade conventions and the nature of the FOB term, the answer is yes. Below, we explain from several perspectives why these two fees are typically borne by the seller.

1. FOB Responsibility Allocation Based on Incoterms® 2020

According to the International Chamber of Commerce’s Incoterms® 2020, the core responsibilities under FOB are:

· Seller’s Obligations: Responsible for loading the goods onto the vessel nominated by the buyer at the specified port of shipment and bearing all costs and risks until the goods are loaded on board.
· Buyer’s Obligations: Responsible for arranging the vessel and paying all costs incurred after the goods are loaded on board, including ocean freight, insurance, destination port charges, etc.

The Key Point:
Although the buyer appoints the freight forwarder and arranges transportation, the act of "booking" is essentially a necessary step to fulfill the seller’s obligation of "loading the goods onto the vessel." Therefore, the booking fee, as an initial operational cost in the shipping process, naturally falls under the seller’s responsibilities as part of the local charges at the port of shipment.

2. Nature and Allocation of Booking Fees and Telex Release Fees

1) Booking Fee
This is the operational fee charged by the freight forwarder or shipping company for arranging space and processing booking documents.
Since booking occurs before the goods are loaded onto the vessel, it is a pre-shipment cost at the port of shipment. According to FOB logic, it should be borne by the seller.

2) Telex Release Fee
Telex release is an operation where the seller (shipper) requests the shipping company to replace the original bill of lading with an electronic release instruction.
Although this facilitates the buyer’s pickup of goods at the destination port, it is essentially a document processing fee incurred at the port of shipment. As part of the seller’s fulfillment of their delivery obligation to provide transport documents (even in electronic form), this fee is typically paid by the seller.

3. Why Is It Reasonable for the Seller to Pay These Fees?

1. Principle of Cost Incurrence Location
Both fees are incurred at the port of shipment. Under FOB terms, local charges at the port of shipment (such as documentation fees, terminal handling charges, customs clearance fees, booking fees, and telex release fees) are generally the seller’s responsibility.
2. Direct Relevance to Delivery Obligations
The seller is obligated to complete the loading of goods and provide the corresponding transport documents. Booking is a prerequisite for loading, and telex release is a method of providing documents. Therefore, the associated fees are part of fulfilling the seller’s responsibilities.
3. Commercial Practice Convention
In practice, most transactions following FOB terms include these fees in the seller’s cost package for port of shipment charges. This has become an widely accepted industry norm.

Conclusion

In FOB trade, the seller’s responsibility for the booking fee and telex release fee is a reasonable practice based on international trade term interpretation rules, the stage at which costs are incurred, and industry conventions.

05/02/2026

Analysis of the Policy on Prohibiting the Export of Non-Bamboo Wood Charcoal
In recent years, China has continuously tightened its export regulatory policies for charcoal products, particularly targeting traditional charcoal products made from natural wood. To help all parties clearly understand the policy boundaries and avoid trade risks, Mr. Dove hereby provides a professional analysis of the current core policies, combining practical customs procedures with regulatory requirements.

I. Policy Core: Clarifying the Prohibited Scope

According to joint regulations issued by multiple departments, including the Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Customs, and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the export of charcoal directly produced from non-bamboo natural wood (such as logs, branches, etc.) using simple kilns or traditional earth kilns is strictly prohibited. This measure aims to protect forest resources and fulfill international environmental protection conventions.

Key Distinctions:

· Prohibited for Export: Charcoal directly carbonized from wood of all tree species, such as pine, oak, and poplar.
· Allowed for Export: Bamboo charcoal, shell charcoal (e.g., coconut shell, peach pit), and processed charcoal (made from wood processing residues).

II. Compliant Export Pathways: Identification and Operations for Processed Charcoal

Processed charcoal is currently a major export category, but its compliance must meet the following conditions:

1. Legitimacy of Raw Materials
· Must use wood processing residues (e.g., sawdust, wood shavings, offcuts) and provide procurement documents from upstream wood processing enterprises as traceability proof.
· The use of logs specifically felled for charcoal production is strictly prohibited, even if they are crushed and processed into charcoal.
2. Classification and Declaration Requirements
· HS Code: Typically classified under 4402.90.0000 (other charcoal, including shell charcoal and processed charcoal).
· Regulatory Conditions: An Export License (regulatory document code “4xy”) is required, subject to the annual tariff schedule.
· Declaration Details: Must truthfully declare the product name, material (e.g., “made from wood sawdust”), processing method, purpose, etc., and provide supporting documentation.

III. Non-Compliance Risks: Severe Penalty Mechanisms

Administrative Penalties:

· Confiscation of goods + fines ranging from 5% to 30% of the goods’ value.
· Suspension or revocation of foreign trade rights for serious violations.
· Downgrading of customs credit ratings; non-compliant enterprises will face joint penalties from multiple national departments.

Criminal Risks:

· Misdeclaration, concealment, or smuggling of prohibited charcoal may constitute the crime of smuggling goods prohibited from import/export, leading to criminal liability.

IV. Practical Recommendations for Exporters and Purchasers

1. Source Management: Establish a raw material traceability system and retain complete procurement chain documentation.
2. Pre-Export Verification: Before shipment, always verify the HS code, licensing requirements, and declaration details with freight forwarders.
3. Cautious Transition: Consider transitioning to fully compliant categories such as bamboo charcoal or shell charcoal, or invest in processed charcoal production lines that meet environmental standards.
4. Professional Support: Regularly conduct compliance training and engage professional customs consultants for audits.

Forest resource protection is a long-term national strategy, and the regulatory policies on charcoal exports will remain stringent. We strongly advise all clients to adhere to compliance requirements and avoid taking any chances.

15/09/2025

Detailed explanation of Indian consignee Information ICE, GST, and PAN
These three crucial codes in India's foreign trade. They are mandatory for completing customs clearance and tax procedures.
In simple terms:
IEC is used for import and export customs clearance.
GSTIN is used for tax declaration of goods and services.
PAN is the universal tax identifier for individuals and businesses in India.
The following is a detailed explanation of each code:
1.IEC (Import Export Code) - Import and export Code. This is a 10-digit code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) of India. It is the unique identifier that any individual or enterprise in India must possess to engage in import and export business. Without IEC, no import or export customs clearance operations can be carried out. Main uses: 1. Customs clearance: When submitting import and export declaration forms, the IEC of the consignee or consignor must be provided. 2. Foreign exchange settlement: When banks handle the inflow and outflow of funds related to imports and exports, they need to verify the IEC. 3. DGFT matters: Required when applying for any government incentives or subsidies related to foreign trade.
2.GSTIN (GST Identification Number) - Goods and Services Tax Identification Number. GSTIN is a 15-digit code introduced in India after the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). It is a tax registration number based on PAN and is used for all GST-related matters. Main uses: 1. Tax declaration: It is used for paying and declaring GST tax. Imported goods also need to pay IGST (Comprehensive Goods and Services Tax). 2. Tax Deduction: After paying the import GST, the importer can use this GSTIN for Input Tax Credit. 3. Invoice Issuance: All commercial invoices issued by taxable Persons must show their GSTIN.
3.PAN (Permanent Account Number) - Permanent account number. PAN is a 10-digit mixed code issued by the Income Tax Department of India. It is the sole identity document for all taxpayers (individuals and companies) in India and is applicable to all financial transactions and tax activities. Main uses: 1. Income tax declaration: Submit income tax return forms and pay income tax; 2. Financial transactions: Opening a bank account, conducting large transactions (such as purchasing real estate or vehicles), applying for loans, etc., all require providing PAN. 3. Identity proof: It is an important legal and financial identity identifier.
Important Notice to the consignor
When you ship goods from China (or any other country) to India, you must provide your freight forwarder or shipping company with an accurate and error-free information of the Indian consignee:
【 Company Name and Address 】【IEC Number 】【GSTIN Number 】
The absence of any item or incorrect information will cause delays in the customs clearance of the goods in India, resulting in high container detention fees and port detention fees, and may even lead to the confiscation or return of the goods. Therefore, before shipping, be sure to confirm and request this information from your Indian customers.
I'm Mr. Dove, an international Shipping Agent and Experienced Trader. It's my great honor to be your trading assistant soon.

13/09/2025

We have 9,750 prayer mats available. Each mat measures 70 x 110 cm and weighs 750 grams. Crafted from quality materials,they are offered at an excellent price for bulk orders.

Packaging: 250 pieces per bundle, vacuum-packed (compressed package).

Nous avons 9 750 nattes de prière disponibles. Chaque natte mesure 70 x 110 cm et pèse 750 grammes. Confectionnées avec des matériaux de qualité,elles sont proposées à un prix excellent pour les commandes en gros.

Conditionnement : 250 pièces par paquet, emballage sous-vide (compressed package).
You can make a price first, and as long as the price is profitable, we will sell it.

29/08/2025

Regarding Questions on Implementing Document No. 17 [2025] Issued by the State Taxation Administration of China

Q: Is this tax mandatory?
A: Yes, this is Announcement No. 17 issued by the State Taxation Administration, which is a national-level directive and must be implemented.

Q: How is the tax under Announcement No. 17 calculated?
A: The tax is divided into two brackets: an annual export value within USD 20 million is taxed at 0.1%, while an annual export value exceeding USD 20 million is taxed at 0.5% on the full amount.

Q: Can I underreport the declared value?
A: The Ministry of Commerce currently provides guidance prices for goods, averaging around USD 70,000. If values are underreported, customs or tax authorities may conduct inspections. Any legal issues arising from underreporting will be the sole responsibility of the person who underreports.

Q: Can a foreigner use their own registered import-export company?
A: The company must be registered and filed under the market procurement supervision network to be eligible.

Q: Can I use a company name from another region?
A: Only a locally registered company in Yiwu is permitted.

Q: What risks are involved if I register a company name myself?
A: As long as taxes are paid in accordance with laws and regulations, there will be no tax-related risks.

Q: Why is the tax rate 0.5% now when it could have been 0.1%?
A: The 0.1% rate only applies to companies with an annual export value within USD 20 million. Based on the average guidance price of USD 70,000 per export shipment, USD 20 million divided by USD 70,000 equals approximately 286 export declarations. Currently, most qualified companies exporting under their registered names exceed the USD 20 million threshold. Therefore, the tax is generally calculated at 0.5%. It is advisable to register import-export companies corresponding to your export volume, if possible.

25/08/2025

25/08/2025

Children kettle，stock，only 50 ctns，Size 1800 ML , 48 pcs / carton， cbm is 0.15, kg is 18kg, mix colors , price is 8 RMB.
Advertisements are posted on：25th Aug. 2025，made in China.

14/08/2025

List of enforced persons for breach of trust of maritime freight forwarders and multimodal transport in Ningbo Maritime Court (2024 April to 2025 July)
Mr Dove suggested that not the cheap shipping Agent is good. Any price that goes against the market rules may be a scam.

25/07/2025

Adétikopé, Togo – Port Overview
1. Adétikopé Industrial Platform (PIA) Dry Port
Operational Since: Officially launched on January 16, 2022.
Function: Acts as a logistics hub for cargo destined for landlocked West African countries (such as Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali). It provides one-stop customs clearance to streamline supply chains.
Purpose: Reduces congestion at the Port of Lomé and strengthens Togo’s role as a regional logistics center.
2. Geographic & Logistics Advantages
Located near Lomé, Togo’s capital, with easy access to the Port of Lomé.
Enhances trade efficiency within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
3. Economic & Regional Impact
Investment: The 1,062-hectare industrial zone involves a $500 million investment, developed by SIP (Sing Industrial Park) in partnership with the Togolese government.
Job Creation & Industry Growth: Aims to boost value-added industries, generate employment, and diversify Togo’s economy.
4. Comparison with Other West African Ports
While Lomé Port is Togo’s deep-sea hub, Adétikopé serves as an inland cargo distribution center.
Unlike major ports like Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) or Lagos (Nigeria), Adétikopé focuses on regional logistics optimization rather than international shipping.
5. Future Developments
Togo plans to expand the industrial park’s logistics and manufacturing capabilities to attract more foreign investment.