What We Handles — and What We Don't

The question every importer eventually asks—especially when managing their first shipments—is: "Whose responsibility was that step?"

In international logistics, knowing which parts of the shipping process belong to your forwarder, which belong to your supplier, and which fall strictly to you is critical. Misunderstandings do not just cause delays; they lead to unexpected storage fees, customs fines, and coordination gaps. This guide outlines our exact service scope across our transport solutions so you can plan your logistics chain with absolute clarity.

Our Service Capabilities: More Than Ocean Freight

While standard containerized ocean freight (FCL and consolidated LCL) forms the backbone of China-to-Africa trade, CALL operates a fully integrated logistics network. Depending on your budget, timeline, and cargo profile, you can utilize any of the following shipping modes:

• Ocean Freight: Highly cost-effective FCL and LCL container services connecting all major Chinese gateways to African ports.
• Air Freight: Rapid, secure transport options for high-value, time-sensitive, or urgent cargo.
• China-Europe Railway: An efficient and eco-friendly rail landbridge routing, bridging eastern and western transit lanes.
• Multimodal Shipping: Interconnected transport solutions seamlessly combining sea, air, and overland routes to optimize transit times.
• Door-to-Door Delivery: End-to-end logistics management where we handle the entire chain directly from your supplier's warehouse to your doorstep.

Clarifying the Flexible "Gray Area" Services

Some shipping requirements fall into operational "gray areas" where you have the flexibility to choose who manages the task. On our platform, Customs Clearance, Cargo Insurance, and Origin Certifications are designed to adapt to your specific business preferences:

• Origin Certificates & Pre-Departure Authorizations (ECTN, CoC, C/O): Securing mandatory trade documents (such as the Certificate of Origin, Certificate of Conformity, fumigation certificates, or destination mandates like the ECTN/BESC or SONCAP) is not our default responsibility. While we advise on what is required, it is your responsibility to require your supplier to apply for them (particularly for China-issued files or those requiring supplier source documents), or formally entrust us to manage the application on your behalf as an optional service.
• Export Customs Filing (China): While CALL routinely manages export customs declarations at all major Chinese ports on your behalf, you are fully permitted to appoint your own preferred Chinese customs broker to handle the export filing and origin documentation if your supplier or trade structure requires it.
• Import Customs Clearance (Africa): You have complete destination flexibility. You can utilize CALL's dedicated in-house customs brokers, rely on our network of vetted local clearance partners in African port hubs (like Douala, Apapa, or Mombasa), or appoint your own preferred destination broker to handle the filing.
• Marine & Cargo Insurance: If you buy goods on Ex Works (EXW) or Free on Board (FOB) terms, cargo risk transfers to you early in the journey. If you entrust us with this task, our team can purchase a comprehensive cargo insurance policy on your behalf to protect your financial investment. Alternatively, you are entirely free to arrange your own coverage independently.

Standard Responsibilities Managed by CALL

When you book standard freight with us, the following primary operational tasks are handled directly by our global team:

1. At Origin (China)

• Quoting & Booking: Selecting carrier, securing vessel space, and issuing your Shipping Order (S/O).
• Document Consistency Review: Reviewing standard shipping instructions (B/L draft) against the supplier-provided commercial invoice and packing list for consistency. To ensure your files are complete, refer to our Document Checklist for China–Africa Exports.
• Compliance Advising: Flagging required pre-import or pre-departure verification schemes (such as ECTN, SONCAP, or PVoC) associated with your destination corridor, and outlining what documents your supplier must prepare.
• Container coordination: for FCL, we coordinate container delivery to your supplier's factory or a nearby CFS; for LCL, cargo consolidation at the origin CFS with other compatible shipments.
• Export Customs Filing: Executing standard export declarations and clearing customs at Chinese border ports (unless you choose to appoint your own Chinese export broker).

2. In Transit

• Vessel Tracking: Tracking vessel positions in real-time and updating your dashboard milestone tracker automatically.
• Document Release: Issuing draft Bills of Lading, processing your final approved B/L, and arranging swift Telex or Original releases once origin invoices are cleared.
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  Transshipment coordination: where your routing involves a hub port connection, monitoring the connection and flagging any risk of missed feeder.

3. At Destination (Africa)

• Carrier Coordination: Retrieving the carrier's Arrival Notice and coordinating with terminal operators.
• Operational Escalation: Intervening directly with terminal authorities, shipping lines, or delivery depots if your shipment faces unexpected administrative delays.

What Sits with Your Supplier

Your Chinese supplier remains solely responsible for the initial physical and quality aspects of your product:

• QC and Cargo Readiness: Manufacturing the goods to your specifications and confirming the cargo readiness date accurately.
• Export-Worthy Packaging: Ensuring the cargo is packed, labeled, and protected sufficiently for rough ocean transit. Damage caused by poor internal packaging remains a supplier liability.
• Incoterm Compliance: Completing their obligations based on your contract terms (such as making cargo available at their factory gate for EXW, or delivering it past the ship's rail for FOB).

What Sits with You as the Importer

To keep transit timelines on schedule, you must actively manage these administrative and financial requirements:

• Corridor-Specific Registrations: Managing registrations tied to your local banking or trade relationships (such as Form M or NAFDAC registrations in Nigeria).
• Duty and Tax Payments: Paying all government-assessed import duties and local taxes promptly. You can review What's Exactly On Your Freight Invoice to see how duties and terminal fees are separated from freight rates.
• On-Time Container Returns: For FCL shipments, returning empty containers to the carrier's designated return depot within the free-time window. Late returns incur daily detention penalties. We suggest reading Smart Planning to Avoid Demurrage & Detention Fees to protect your shipping budget.

Last reviewed: June 2026  ·  Category: Company Essentials
Related articles: 45 Days. 9 Stages. One Shipment.  ·  Pre-Import Verification Schemes  ·  Smart Planning to Avoid Demurrage & Detention  ·  HS Codes & Classifications