Courier services in port
original B/Ls and ship's documents
Courier services in port mean delivering original bills of lading to the line's agent, and documents to the vessel, harbour master, customs post and between agents exactly when they are needed. These trips decide whether the consignee gets the release before free time ends and whether the vessel sails on schedule.
Port calls do not follow office hours, so we take errands around the clock, including nights and weekends. We work in Vladivostok; Vostochny and Nakhodka by arrangement, allowing for travel time.
Specification
Specification · Port courier. Standard terms · delivery time is confirmed per errand
Service
- What
- original B/Ls, ship's and cargo documents
- Coverage
- Vladivostok; Vostochny, Nakhodka by arrangement
- Options
- safekeeping until handover
Terms
- Timing
- from 1–2 hours in town, 24/7
- Documents
- inventory and receipt included
- Currency
- USD / RUB
Logistics
- Pickup
- against inventory, sealed envelope
- Delivery
- line agent, vessel, harbour master, customs
- Handover
- signed for, receipt photo
Price
- Base
- rate per errand within Vladivostok
- Extras
- nights, weekends, trips to Vostochny / Nakhodka
Service flow
- 01
Errand
We take the errand: what, from where, to whom and by when. For original B/Ls we check the set and endorsement straight away.
within an hour - 02
Pickup
We collect documents from the sender against an inventory, seal them in an envelope and record the pickup time.
as agreed - 03
Delivery
We deliver to the recipient: the line's agent, the vessel via the gangway watch, the harbour master, the customs post or another agent. Port access is by terminal passes.
from 1–2 hours within Vladivostok - 04
Confirmation
We hand over against the named recipient's signature and send the client a photo of the receipt and the delivery time.
right after handover
Problems
Original B/Ls arrived on Friday evening, the line releases only against originals — the container sits until Monday accruing demurrage.
We collect originals on arrival and lodge them with the line's agent at the next available window; where possible we arrange a telex release in advance.
A document was passed on informally — now nobody can confirm to whom and when it was delivered.
Every handover is made against an inventory and the named recipient's signature, and a photo of the receipt goes to the client immediately.
Documents
What we deliver most often in port. If original B/Ls go through a bank under a letter of credit or collection, allow time for courier transit — it is a common reason for container idle time.
Incoterms
- CFR / CIF
- original B/Ls travel from seller to buyer — often via a bank
- FOB
- freight on the buyer, B/Ls issued at the load port
- DAP
- port release documents are on the seller and its forwarder
Documents
- Original B/Ls
- full set (usually 3/3), endorsed if to order
- Power of attorney
- to collect the release or documents on the consignee's behalf
- Certificates
- origin, quality, phytosanitary — originals for customs
- Ship's documents
- arrival / departure pack, documents for the master
- Contents list
- drawn up for every handover and signed by the recipient
FAQ
Original bills of lading, manifests, certificates of origin and quality, ship's arrival and departure documents, and correspondence between agents and port authorities. Every handover is confirmed by the recipient's signature and a photo of the receipt.
Without the original B/L the line will not issue the delivery order, and without it the terminal will not release the container. While documents are in transit, free time runs, followed by demurrage. With a telex release or Sea Waybill, originals are not needed.
Yes. Port calls do not follow office hours, so we run errands around the clock, including nights and weekends, so the document is on board exactly in time for cargo operations or sailing. Night and weekend errands are charged at a separate rate.
Originals are taken against an inventory, carried in a sealed envelope and handed only to the named recipient against signature. If needed we hold documents in safekeeping until handover.
Within Vladivostok, usually within 1–2 hours of pickup. Timing depends on the terminal and berth access rules: documents go on board via the gangway watch, with a terminal pass. For Vostochny and Nakhodka we allow for travel time.