AN ICONTAINERS GUIDE

SHIPPING

TO/FROM ASIA
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Includes
COVID-19
advice
A GUIDE TO SHIPPING TO/FROM ASIA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION PG 01

SHIPPING TRANSIT TIMES PG 03

MAIN PORTS IN CHINA, INDIA & VIETNAM PG 06

RECOMMENDED INCOTERMS PG 11

EXPORTS TO ASIA PG 11

IMPORTS FROM ASIA PG 16

OCEAN FREIGHT DOCUMENTS PG 21

STANDARD DOCUMENTS PG 22

COUNTRY-SPECIFIC DOCUMENTS PG 24

CUSTOMS DUTIES PG 27

COVID-19 IMPACT ON OCEAN FREIGHT PG 35

ADVICE FOR SHIPPERS PG 40

CONCLUSION PG 42
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INTRODUCTION

As a commercial gold mine, there’s

much that importers and exporters
worldwide can benefit from when
conducting trade with Asia. 

For starters, the region’s high

productivity rate offers importers
cost efficiency and provides a level of
commercial competitiveness that’s
unbeatable.

Plus, the pace of exports to China

and India, the two most populous
nations, has been growing in parallel
with the increasing demand and
consumption in these markets. 

But trading with Asia does not

come without risks.

There are certain aspects that

importers and exporters must pay
extra attention to so that the process
is smooth and complication-free.
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In other words, it’s to ensure your international sale is as

profitable as possible by preventing delays and any resulting
extra fees.

Despite the logistical complexities involved, there are

countless benefits that can be reaped from doing trade
with Asia.

In this guide, we will equip you with essential knowledge

needed to manage your ocean freight to and from Asia with
specific focus on shipments to and from Spain and the US.

More specifically, we’ll dive deep into the following aspects:

Shipping transit times to and from Asia

Main ports in China, India, and Vietnam
Recommended Incoterms
Ocean freight documents
Customs duties
Impact of the coronavirus on ocean freight shipments
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TRANSIT TIMES

One of the most important factors

to consider when planning an
ocean freight shipment to and from
Asia is the shipping transit time.

These are the average shipping

times for shipments to countries in
the Far East and Southeast Asia
such as China, India, and Vietnam.

From Spain: 33 days

From the US West Coast: 34 days
From the US East Coast: 52 days

While these are estimations you

can use to plan your shipment
between Spain and the US and
Asia, keep in mind that actual
shipping times may differ
depending on the number of
transits, the ports of origin and
destination, the shipping line, and
whether it’s an export or import.
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TRANSIT TIMES FROM SPAIN TO ASIA

Average transit time

Origin Destination
(days)

Valencia Shanghai 41

Algeciras Shanghai 39

Valencia Chennai 29

Algeciras Chennai 27

Valencia Da Nang 36

Algeciras Da Nang 40

TRANSIT TIMES FROM THE US TO ASIA

Average transit time

Origin Destination
(days)

Los Angeles Shanghai 21

New York Shanghai 44

Los Angeles Chennai 42

New York Chennai 53

Los Angeles Da Nang 39

New York Da Nang 58

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TRANSIT TIMES FROM ASIA TO SPAIN

Average transit time

Origin Destination
(days)

Shanghai Valencia 32

Shanghai Algeciras 37

Chennai Valencia 30

Chennai Algeciras 30

Da Nang Valencia 28

Da Nang Algeciras 33

TRANSIT TIMES FROM ASIA TO THE US

Average transit time

Origin Destination
(days)

Shanghai Los Angeles 15

Shanghai New York 28

Chennai Los Angeles 22

Chennai New York 25

Da Nang Los Angeles 22

Da Nang New York 35

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MAIN PORTS
IN CHINA, INDIA, AND VIETNAM

Though it may seem more straightforward to ship

your merchandise to the port closest to the cargo’s
final destination, that may not always be the most
convenient option.

Be it for financial or logistical reasons or maybe you

prefer to go with a carrier that offers shorter transit
times, other ports may be more attractive.

Here are some of the main ports in China, India, and

Vietnam.
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MAIN PORTS IN CHINA

1. Port of Shanghai

Currently the biggest port in China and the world, developments at the
port of Shanghai in recent years have been astounding. 

In 2011, the port crossed the 30 million TEUs mark, which is staggering
considering that the port had a handling capacity of less than 8,000
TEUs when it first started operations around 40 years ago.

As a gateway port for the Yangtze River Delta, the Port of Shanghai is
also home to the largest automated container terminal in the world.
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2. Port of Shenzhen

Known as the gateway to the Pearl River Delta and Hong Kong,  the Port
of Shenzhen connects China’s southern hinterland to pretty much the
rest of the world. 

It’s located in Guangdong Province and spreads out over 260km of the
coastline. Approximately 560 ships call at the port every month,
covering over 130 international container routes.

3. Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan

The Port of Shanghai may be the first to handle more than 40 million
TEUs per year, but it’s the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan that holds the
crown for being the first port to handle one billion tonnes in cargo
throughput in a calendar year. 

It lies at the crossroads of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st
Century Maritime Silk Road, making it one of the busiest ports in China.
Additionally, its 242 sea routes link to over 600 harbors globally.
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MAIN PORTS IN INDIA

1. Port of Nhava Sheva

Also known as Jawaharlal Nehru Port, the Port of Nhava Sheva is

located to the east of Mumbai. It is currently the largest seaport in
India, measuring 680 meters and has three berths. It handles more
than 10 million TEUs per year, which is 55.81% of all the total container
traffic in India.

2. Chennai Port

The Port of Chennai is the second largest commercial seaport in India.

Formerly the Port of Madras, it is aspiring to become a hub on the east
coast of India. Besides being a stop for cruises, it is also home to three
container terminals and its own rail facilities to service more than 60
million annual tons of cargo that run through its premises.
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MAIN PORTS IN VIETNAM

1. Port of Da Nang

Da Nang Port is located at the

mouth of the Han River on the
South China Sea and is currently
the third-largest port system in
Vietnam.

The port has been experiencing

tremendous growth in recent
years, handling 712,263 tons of
cargo in November 2017. This
brought the total for the first
eleven months of the year to
approximately 7.4 million tons, a
10.79% year-over-year increase.

2. Port of Haiphong

The Port of Hai Phong is the leading sea port in northern Vietnam and
consists of a port group in Haiphong City. It currently offers cargo
handling, tallying, and warehousing, among other services. 

The port system will be able to handle ships of up to 30,000-40,000

DWT when future development is complete.
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RECOMMENDED
INCOTERMS
FOR EXPORTS TO ASIA

Incoterms are three-letter trade

terms established by the
International Chamber of
Commerce (ICC) that determine
the responsibilities of the
importer and exporter during
cross-border trade.

Of the 11 Incoterms established

in the latest edition (Incoterms
2020), not all are equally
competitive in costs and neither
do all offer the same risks for
the exporter.

Here’s a summary of the main

recommended Incoterms for
your exports to China, India, and
Vietnam.
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CPT Incoterm (Carriage Paid To)

The CPT Incoterm states that the exporter is responsible for delivering
the goods to the carrier and must bear the transportation costs of the
goods to the agreed upon destination. However, insurance costs fall
under the responsibility of the buyer. 

Under CPT, risk is transferred when the goods are surrendered to the
carrier at origin.

Exporter's obligations under CPT

Delivery of goods and documents required
Packaging and wrapping
Inland transport in the country of origin
Customs at origin
Exit charge
International freight

Pros and cons of CPT

Very cost competitive
Low risk for exporters
Recommended for payments with the Letter of Credit

→ You may find more information about CPT here.

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CIP Incoterm (Carriage and Insurance Paid to)

The CIP Incoterm indicates that the exporter is responsible for the cost
and freight of bringing the goods to the carrier. Unlike CPT, the
exporter is responsible for providing insurance.

Under CIP, risk is transferred when the goods are surrendered to the
carrier at origin.

Exporter's obligations under CIP

Delivery of goods and documents required
Packaging and wrapping
Inland transport in the country of origin
Customs at origin
Exit charge
International freight
Insurance

Pros and cons of CIP

Very cost competitive
Low risk for exporters
Recommended for payments with the Letter of Credit
Because the seller provides insurance, this makes CIP cost
competitive for the buyer and gives the seller the upper hand when
negotiating

→ You may find more information about CIP here.

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DDP Incoterm (Delivered Duty Paid)

Under DDP, the seller bears full responsibility for all costs and risks
until the goods are unloaded at the agreed-upon location.

Exporter's obligations under DDP

Delivery of goods and documents required
Packaging and wrapping
Inland transport in the country of origin
Customs at origin
Exit charge
International freight
Insurance
Arrival expenditures
Customs on arrival
Payment of fees
Inland transport at the destination country (depending on agreed
location)

Pros and cons of DDP

Very cost competitive
High level of risk and responsibility

→ You may find more information about DDP here.

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DAP Incoterm (Delivered at Place)

Under DAP, the seller must make the goods available to the buyer at
the buyer’s chosen location. 

However, the seller is not responsible for unloading the goods from the
carrier at the destination location, or for any customs duties, tariffs, or
taxes that may apply during the delivery.

Exporter's obligations under DAP

Delivery of goods and documents required
Packaging and wrapping
Inland transport in the country of origin
Customs at origin
Exit charge
International freight
Insurance
Arrival expenditures
Inland transport at the destination country

Pros and cons of DAP

Very cost competitive
High level of risk and responsibility

→ You may find more information about DAP here.

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RECOMMENDED
INCOTERMS
FOR IMPORTS FROM ASIA

Importers and exporters will

always want to select the
Incoterm that offers more
control and less risk. 

However, the way Incoterms

work is that they pit the exporter
and importer against each other
because whatever Incoterm is
competitive for one means it’s
less so for the other.

That’s why it’s very important to

know what Incoterms to use
when importing from Asia. For
instance, while the CIP Incoterm
is a very safe Incoterm for
exports, it is very risky for
imports from Asia. More on this
later in this section.
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FCA Incoterm (Free Carrier)

Under FCA, the exporter delivers the cargo to the carrier at origin,
ready for international transport with all formalities taken care of.

As the importer, you are in charge of hiring the international shipping

services. This gives you absolute control over all related expenses and
coordination of delivery to your storage or warehouse at destination.

Importer's obligations under FCA

Cost of the goods
International freight
Insurance
Arrival expenditures
Customs upon arrival
Inland transportation in the destination country
Payment of fees

Pros and cons of FCA

Very cost competitive
Low risk

→ You may find more information about FCA here.

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EXW Incoterm (Ex Works)

When importing under EXW, you are in charge of picking up the

merchandise from the seller's warehouse (or another agreed upon
location). From then on, you are responsible for all costs.

Importer's obligations under EXW

Payment of goods
Inland transportation in the country of origin
Customs at origin
Exit charge
International freight
Insurance
Arrival expenditures
Customs on arrival
Inland transportation at the destination country
Payment of fees

Pros and cons of EXW

Very cost competitive
High level of risk and responsibility

→ You may find more information about EXW here.

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IMPLICATIONS OF IMPORTING FROM CHINA

UNDER CIP

FCA and CIP have become very popular Incoterms for

imports and many first-timers importing from China often
favor the latter. 

Under CIP, importers only take control of the cargo at

destination and from an agent. Many novice importers
find this option advantageous because they are relatively
free of responsibility. Furthermore, suppliers in China
often offer lower prices if buyers agree to CIP.

However, there’s a hidden catch that can result in

complications and much higher costs for the
importer.
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Prior to the handover, destination

agents often request for the importer
to pay destination fees.

While this is common practice, what

we’ve seen with certain CIP shipments
is that some destination agents take
the opportunity to charge and inflate
their own fees (handling fees, exit
fees, entry fees, etc.) and refuse to
release the cargo until payment is
made.

This can result in importers paying

as much as five times the market
rate of these fees. 

Because the agents are listed as the

consignees on the Bills of Lading, they
have legal control over the cargo and
most importers end up having to
comply to retrieve their cargo.

As a rule of thumb, unless you are

dealing with a seller or agent you can
trust or have an agreement that
allows you to list yourself as the
consignee, it is best to avoid
importing from China under CIP and
go with FCA instead.
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OCEAN FREIGHT DOCUMENTS

Shipping an ocean freight shipment from one point to another may, in

concept, appear straightforward. In reality, it’s anything but.

Many often say ocean freight is synonymous to documentation. From

cargo handlers on the ground, be it at the warehouse or port, to those
processing the shipment such as freight forwarders and customs
officers, there are numerous players involved in sending an international
shipment. 

To further complicate matters, each of them has its own processes and
protocols, which means a mesh of different types of forms and
documents. 

In this section, we’ll go through the most important shipping documents

you’ll need for your ocean freight shipment to and from Asia.
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STANDARD OCEAN FREIGHT DOCUMENTS

Regardless of where you ship to and from, these are basic

documents that are required. That includes the Bill of Lading, Power
of Attorney (POA), packing list, and commercial invoice.

Bill of Lading

By and far, the Bill of Lading is the most important in ocean freight
shipping. It acts as a contract of carriage between the shipping
company and the cargo owner and is issued by the shipping line to
confirm that it has received the cargo and will be transporting it on
board its vessel. 

Pay special attention to the Bill of Lading as even a minor

mistake can cause lengthy delays and hefty fines. We
recommend reading our in-depth guide on the Bill of Lading to
understand its different types and how to fill it out properly.

Power of Attorney (POA)

This is a document that authorizes your customs broker to handle

customs proceedings such as payments and forms on your behalf. 

Your freight forwarder will provide you with this document, which
you will have to complete and return together with a copy of your
identification. 

Note: The POA must be signed by an authorized representative of

the company.
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Packing List

The packing list is a clear and detailed inventory of the merchandise

you are shipping. Its objective is for those handling the cargo, which
is everyone from your freight forwarder and trucking company to
customs agent and carrier, to know the nature of the goods they’re
dealing with without having to physically verify them.

Getting your packing list right is absolutely vital because the

information may be used to generate the Bill of Lading. 

For more information, check out our article on how to fill out a
shipping packing list.

Commercial Invoice

The commercial invoice is a legal document that details the

merchandise being transported and the sale price agreed upon
between the buyer and the seller.

The information listed on a commercial invoice is very similar to that

on a packing list but they serve different purposes and both need to
be submitted. When preparing these documents, make sure that all
information on them correspond.

You may read more about the commercial invoice here.

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COUNTRY-SPECIFIC DOCUMENTS

Aside from the Bill of Lading, packing list, and

commercial invoice, additional shipping
documents may be required depending on many
factors, two of which include the nature and the
destination of your goods.

In this section, we’ll briefly talk about some of the

specific import documents needed when shipping
to Spain, the US, and Asia’s biggest two countries,
China and India.
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United States

Importer Security Filing (ISF)

Also known as a “10+2”, the ISF is required by the US Customs Border
and Protection (CBP) for all goods entering the US. The cargo owner is
the party responsible for submitting this document and must do so at
least 24 hours before cargo arrival or face a $5,000 fine.

Spain

Forms 036 and 037 and EORI

If you’re a registered business person importing into Spain, you must
submit tax register declaration forms known as forms 036 and 037.

You also need an EORI (Economic Operator Registration and

Identification) number, an identification number that represents you
in all customs proceedings. You may apply for an EORI number on the
Spanish tax authority’s website.

China

China Compulsory Certification (CCC)

The China Compulsory Certification is a document that ensures that
contents of the shipment conforms with the safety and quality
guidelines set out by the Chinese government. 

It is mandatory for products in over 132 categories that China

imports. Approximately 20% of US exports to China require this.

Note: CCC applications can take up to 90 days to process so verify

whether it’s required for your shipment as soon as possible.
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India

No Objection Certificate (NOC)

If you’re shipping used electronics to India, a No Objection Certificate
(NOC) must be obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Forest.
Note that this falls under the responsibility of the importer. 

Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate

This certificate is required for all imports of metal scraps into India.

Vietnam

Certificate of Origin (COO)

The Certificate of Origin identifies the country in which the
merchandise is produced. The exporter is in charge of preparing this
document and it needs to be certified by a government authority for it
to be valid. 

The COO also plays a role in calculating customs duties and taxes and
also determines whether taxes are exempt.

The shipping documents listed above are general

guidelines. We recommend getting in touch with your
destination agent for more destination- and cargo-specific
information regarding documentation.

If you don’t have one, let us know and we will put you in
touch with one of our trusted destination agents.
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CUSTOMS DUTIES

Customs duties are part and parcel of all international shipments.

In this section, we’ll take a look at how they’re determined and
calculated.

DETERMINING
CUSTOMS DUTIES

The two most common ways to

determine customs duties are ad
valorem and specific.

Ad valorem: Duties are calculated as a

percentage of the value of the goods. 

E.g. 5% of the total value of

imported metal parts

Specific: Duties are calculated based

on the weight or quantity of the goods.

E.g. $0.15 per gallon of gasoline

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APPLICABLE CUSTOMS DUTIES RATE

The amount of duties that applies to a shipment depends on the

category of your goods. This is determined by the Harmonized System
(HS), a multipurpose and global nomenclature developed by the World
Customs Organization that classifies products into codes.

The HS code of each product determines the applicable customs

duty rate.

HS codes are used worldwide and though some countries and regions
may have their own versions, they are always based on and adapted
from the original six-digit HS codes. 

For instance, the US uses the HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code
and the European Union uses the TARIC code, both of which have the
same initial six digits as the HS code. 

→ For EU imports, you may look up the TARIC code of your product on
the EU’s TARIC consultation page.

→ For US imports, you may look up the HTS code of your product on
the USITC’s HTS search page.

For a better understanding of the different codes, you may read our
article on HS, HTC, and TARIC codes.
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CALCULATING US CUSTOMS DUTIES

For most countries, the amount of customs duty levied on imports is

based on the customs value of the merchandise, which is the amount
the buyer pays the seller for the acquisition of the goods*.

This includes not just the commercial value of the goods, but also all
transportation and packaging costs, commissions, insurance,
proceeds, and other associated fees.

*This value may vary depending on the Incoterm agreed upon by the
importer and seller.

Duty rates for shipments to the US are an exception to the

above rule. Instead of basing duty rates on the goods’ customs
value, the US calculates its custom duties based only on the
commercial value of the goods. 

Here’s how to determine and calculate the amount of customs duties

due when shipping to the US:

1. Obtain your product’s duty rate (using its HTS code)

2. Multiply the duty rate by the commercial value of your cargo

Duties exceptions: Certain exceptions may apply to customs duties,

such as special trade arrangements and import threshold levels under
which duties may not be applicable.

Note that there are no US export duties.

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CALCULATING SPAIN
CUSTOMS DUTIES

Unlike the US, there are more factors to consider

when calculating customs duties for imports into
Spain.

While this may vary according to the Incoterm, CIF

value of the merchandise is always used as a base
reference. In essence, that means the total sum of
the goods’ value, insurance, and ocean freight cost. 

But depending on the Incoterm chosen, slight

adjustments may be needed:

CIP or CIF: No adjustments needed

CFR or CPT: Add cost of insurance
FCA or FOB: Add ocean freight and insurance
costs
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CALCULATING CUSTOMS DUTIES: PRACTICAL EXAMPLE

Determining customs duties may seem complicated. Here’s an example

of a shipment of baskets from China to Spain to help guide you.

Importing: From China to Spain Ocean freight: €1,000

TARIC code: 4602900000 THC: €180
Goods’ commercial value: €10,000 T3: €45
Incoterm: FCA Insurance: €50

Step 1: Calculate CIF value

Add the commercial value of the cargo, ocean freight cost, and
insurance.

€10,000 (goods’ commercial value) + €1,000 (ocean freight) + €50

(insurance) = €11,050 (CIF value)

Step 2: Determine applicable duty rate

Enter the TARIC code of the product and its origin into the European
Commission’s TARIC search page to get the duty rate. In this case, it’s
4.7%.

Step 3: Calculate customs duties due

Multiply the CIF value with the customs duty rate.

€11,050 (CIF value) X 4.7% (applicable duty rate) = €519.35

(customs duties due)
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CHINA CUSTOMS DUTIES

China is one of the US’ top trading

partners. In 2017, the US exported
$133 billion worth of products to
China and imported $477 billion. 

All goods entering China are subject

to a value-added tax of either 13%
or 17%, depending on the nature of
the merchandise. When shipping
from China to the US, note that China
imposes export duties on a small
number of goods. 

Aside from the trade agreements

we’ve previously mentioned, there
are two more important factors to
pay special attention to when
calculating China customs duties.
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1. Economic Development Zones (EDZs)

There are various types of Economic Development Zones in China that

provide financial incentives to imports and exports carried out to and
from the area. 

For instance, zones that have been specially designated for trade and
export purposes can enjoy exceptions to import duties and export
rebates. 

2. US-China trade war

The US-China trade war is a relatively recent development but

nevertheless one that can have wide-ranging implications for trade
movements across the world.

Even though they have now signed an agreement to ease the trade
war, both countries have applied $735 billion worth of tariffs on each
other’s goods in tit-for-tat measures over the past couple of years.
Today, many uncertainties remain. 

To better understand how you can benefit from China’s EDZs and for the
latest development on US-China trade relations and how it affects your
shipment, speak to your freight forwarder or a destination agent in China.
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INDIA CUSTOMS DUTIES

India’s customs duties can be hard to navigate due to its complexity

and tendency to change tariff rates with no notice period. 

When exporting to India, aside from the basic import customs duties,
additional charges apply, including a social welfare surcharge and an
integrated goods and services tax.

It’s important to note that India has been increasing import customs
duties on various types of goods such as electronics over the past few
years in an effort to stimulate local manufacturing. 

For more information on India customs duties, visit its official

customs portal, ICEGATE, or speak to a local customs agent.

VIETNAM CUSTOMS DUTIES

Tariff rates in Vietnam have been falling ever since it joined the World
Trade Organization (WTO) in 2007. Today, most US exports to Vietnam
face rates of 15% or lower.

Duty rates can vary significantly depending on the type of merchandise

being imported. Consumer goods usually face higher import duties,
particularly for luxury items, whereas merchandise like production
supplies, raw materials, and machinery are subject to lower duties. 

Most goods being shipped from Vietnam are exempt from export duties
with the exception of certain items including minerals and scrap metal.

Read our import custom duty guide to for more on customs duties.

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COVID-19 IMPACT
ON OCEAN FREIGHT

With ocean freight responsible for 90% of

world trade, any impact on logistics is bound
to also have an equally significant effect on the
world economy. 

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 has

been an unprecedented year for all industries
and sectors, not least of all logistics. As
countries announced lockdown measures and
closed their borders to all movement save
essential goods in a bid to limit the spread of
the virus, trade is set to be hit hard.
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In fact, according to the World Trade Organization, world trade is

expected to plunge by between 13% and 32% this year, possibly
exceeding even the fall brought on by the 2008 financial crisis in
the worst case scenario.

Source: WTO

The world’s largest economy, the US, is definitely no exception to

this. Economists expect its logistics sector to contract by as much
as 12.4% this year.
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EFFECT ON SHIPPERS AND SHIPPING LINES

The impact of COVID-19 and subsequent fall in demand has

affected every single player in the logistics industry and is proving
extremely challenging for shippers. The uncertainty and the high
number of blank sailing announcements by carriers in response to
sinking demand have made it difficult to schedule their exports. 

By June, shipping carriers announced more than a hundred

blanked sailings, which will last through to the end of the
third quarter of the year.
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According to Ports America, transpacific cancellations, usually at

15%, hit 40% in the final week of April.

At one point, up to 11.6% of the world’s container shipping

fleet was idle.

Source: IHS Markit, Sea-Intelligence

Even though demand will eventually return, experts have predicted

a 20% to 25% reduction in global shipping volumes in the second
quarter of the year, which will be the biggest fall in history.
A GUIDE TO SHIPPING TO/FROM ASIA PAGE | 39

To increase their chances of

securing a sailing and
preventing their shipments
from getting rolled, many
shippers have resorted to
booking with more than one
shipping line.

This is sending cancellations

and no-shows skyrocketing. 

One of the effects of this is

reduced work times for logistics
workers, which includes
truckers.

This results in not only logistical

but also financial consequences
for importers and exporters,
who are left facing rising
demurrage and detention
charges as they’re unable to
neither retrieve shipments
sitting at ports nor return
equipment.
A GUIDE TO SHIPPING TO/FROM ASIA PAGE | 40

ADVICE FOR SHIPPERS

If you run into demurrage and detention as a result of COVID-19, speak

to your carrier about the possibility of suspending or even waiving
these charges.

Requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis and there’s no

guarantee that they will be granted, but it’s worth giving it a shot.

Even as countries start to loosen lockdown restrictions and trade and

life in general slowly return to normal, the world finds itself in
uncharted waters.

There’s no telling how the rest of the year will play out, with some
analysts even holding back on providing recovery estimates for 2021.

These numbers are ugly – there is no

getting around that. But a rapid, vigorous
rebound is possible. Decisions taken now
will determine the future shape of the
recovery and global growth prospects.

— WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo

A GUIDE TO SHIPPING TO/FROM ASIA PAGE | 41

Due to the fluidity and

uncertainty of the situation, we
recommend getting in touch
with your freight forwarder for
the latest ocean freight updates
surrounding COVID-19. 

Many shipping lines are also

providing COVID-19 updates
and advisories on their
websites, including any changes
to sailings and routes:

Maersk
MSC (US)
COSCO
CMA CGM
Hapag-Lloyd
ONE
Yang Ming
A GUIDE TO SHIPPING TO/FROM ASIA PAGE | 42

CONCLUSION
International trade plays a crucial role in
keeping the world economy running. It is an
extremely complex topic to understand and
there are many factors that can affect how
trade is conducted between any two
countries.

Note that the information here only serves

as a guide and may change at any given
time. For detailed information regarding
shipping to and from Asia, we recommend
that you contact your freight forwarder or
local agent.

For more shipping tips and resources, you

may also check out our blog and help
center.
FUELING THE FUTURE OF OCEAN FREIGHT