A Freight Forwarder like SmooLink Forwarding (Pty) Ltd is a professional or entity that arranges international import and export transport for goods from origin to destination. We manage carriage, coordinating all logistics from collection through to final delivery, handle Customs clearance and related documentation.

A Carrier physically transports the cargo using own or subcontracted ships, aircraft, trucks, or trains, while a Freight Forwarder manages and coordinates other logistics requirements for the shipment, in addition to physical carriage, such as packaging, arranging relevant compliance docs, actioning customs clearance and may contract with one or more Carriers to complete transportation.

While individuals may arrange shipping directly with Carriers, this avenue tends to take longer and can be more costly. A Freight Forwarder simplifies the intricacies of the international shipping process, especially for shipments requiring customs clearance and related OGAs clearing formalities, or other logistical requirements, inspections, handling and or multiple transport modes.

Cost varies depending on the scope of the project, namely:

(a)Nature of goods - (DG/OOG/Gen Cargo)
(b)Cargo size and weight
(c)Origin and destination logistics
(d)Transport mode elected
(e)Customs clearing requirements
(f)Insurance requirements
(g)Port and terminal charges

Seasonal fluctuations may also influence cost. Send a quote request, to see charges applicable to your shipment.

Cargo details, including: Goods description, Dimensions, weight and Number of packages

(a)Commercial Invoice and or packing list
(b)Incoterm (EXW, FOB, CIF, etc.)
(c)Collection and Delivery address
(d)Preferred shipping date
(e)Preferred service – Standard or Express (Air Freight)
(f)Additional handling services required (Packaging, Permits, etc.)

Seasonal fluctuations may also influence cost. Send a quote request, to see charges applicable to your shipment.

Incoterms are trade rules published by the International Chamber of Commerce to define the responsibilities of buyers and sellers in international trade. They clarify who is responsible for tasks like transportation, insurance, customs clearance, and delivery, as well as when the risk transfers from seller to buyer.

Our flexible freight forwarding service handles all incoterms from EXW to DDP. Click here for a full list of incoterms 2020 and schematic illustration of points of transfer.

We handle 4 modes of transport, namely:

(a)Air Freight  -  (Express & Standard)
(b)Sea Freight  -  (FCL, LCL, Flat Rack & Non-Containerized)
(c)Road Freight  -  (Nationally from port to door & between B2B/B2C)
(d)Rail Freight  -  (Not limited to certain classes DG cargo)

Not necessarily. Carrier liability is limited and payable, only if negligence is proved and the payout is not up to the value of your cargo. It’s not inclusive as cargo / marine insurance, covering your cargo from origin through to destination for the full value, or up to the insured amount.

Separate cargo insurance is highly recommended, especially for international shipments, high-value goods, and cargo exposed to multiple handling or transfer points, and can be arranged upon expressed instruction, for broader protection and peace of mind.

Commonly used documents include:

(a)Commercial Invoice
(b)Packing List
(c)Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
(d)Booking confirmation / Arrival Notification
(e)COO / OGA Certs / Permits / LOA
(f)Shipping Instruction & consignee or consignor LOA
(g)DGD & MSDS - (if DG cargo)
(h)Goods description literature or illustrative sketches
(i)Customs Release Response

Required documents vary depending on destination country and the nature of goods being shipped.

Transit time is affected by following factors:

(a)Origin and destination
(b)Shipping route
(c)Transport mode – Air Freight being the quickest and thus expensive
(d)Customs processing time and additional procedures imposed
(e)Port congestion and weather conditions
(f)Seasonal fluctuations – affects carrier space and or container availability

Customs delays can result from various factors, including:

(a)Missing documents or incorrectly completed paperwork
(b)Non-Compliance, such as missing permits, certificates, OGA authorization, etc.
(c)Dangerous goods or (HS) codes misclassification
(d)Your shipment being randomly selected for Documents / physical inspection.
(e)Holidays / peak seasons may cause congestion and slow processing times.

Late payment result in the following repercussions:

(a)Cargo will be detained, and prolonged detention will cause cargo to be taken to customs warehouse until payment is received – leading to additional storage charges from port and customs warehouse.

(b)Late payment penalties will be charged with applicable interest by Port and Customs Authority – thereby increasing the overall cost.

(c)If cost is not settled within a specified time, customs may sieze your cargo, to auction or destroy at their discretion.

Yes. SmooLink Forwarding is both a Freight Forwarding and Customs Clearing Agent. We handle all Customs Clearing formalities for both import and export shipments, including: Customs declarations and additional clearing documentation from OGAs, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, like certificates, permits and authorizations.

Yes, SmooLink Forwarding (Pty) Ltd, is a Registered Agent that acts as a representative for Exporters and Importers in dealing with all customs formalities and ensuring compliance with customs regulations. our service includes acting as Importer of Record, for traders who do not have a physical presence or registered entity in South Africa.

Our importer of record service affords our clients the benefit of streamlined compliance, by handling the complexities of customs regulations, ensuring all documentation, and legal requirements are met – which provides peace of mind, especially to clients that are new to international trade and allows them to focus on their core business.

Goods that cannot be imported or exported under any circumstances due to legal, health, safety, or security concerns include:

(a)Certain classes of hazardous material
(b)Weapons
(c)Controlled substances
(d)Counterfeit products
(e)Certain food and agricultural products

While these are outright prohibited, some goods are restricted, whereby certificates, permits and or LOA are required. Prohibition varies by country and carrier.

Goods that can only be imported or exported under specific conditions, including:

(a)Permits
(b)Certificates
(c)Letters of authority from relevant government departments before shipment.

Examples of Restricted Goods includes:

(a)Live animals and products of animal origin
(b)Most grocery items like, meat, Dairy produce, fruits and vegetables, etc
(c)Live trees, plants, roots and cut flowers, etc
(d)Products of the milling industry and sugar
(e)Miscellaneous edible preparations

The above list is not exhaustive - Contact Us to find out if your cargo is restricted.

DG cargo involves strict requirements to ensure safety for everyone who will come in contact with the cargo and the environment. These include:

(a)Proper classification of the cargo. DG goods are categorized into 9 classes based on their properties. Each item must be properly identified under class and UN number.

(b)Cargo must be packed according to UN-approved packaging standards, and packages, along with the transport equipment into which the cargo will be carried, must be clearly labeled with hazard symbols and placards, marked with the proper shipping name and UN number.

(c)Cargo must be accompanied by DGD and MSDS – without which, the cargo cannot be transported. Since these documents help in identifying the nature of the cargo and proper handling ways.

(a)DGD stands for Dangerous Goods Declaration. This is a critical document required for shipping hazardous materials internationally. It certifies that the goods are properly identified, classified, packaged, and labelled in compliance with international regulations.

(b)MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet. This document provides detailed information about the substance's properties, hazards, and safety measures. It's essential for handling and shipping hazardous materials, offering guidelines on storage, transportation, and emergency procedures.

Without both these documents, cargo cannot be transported.