A. Booking Cargo
Contact the respective carrier, identify yourself as an All World Shipping agent and book your shipments directly with the carrier. Inform the carrier that All World Shipping will be the Shipper on the MBL with you as Agent. Reference the appropriate service contract or rate agreement number. A few carriers also require the appropriate booking code (e.g. Maersk).
B. SOLAS VGM
As an Agent of All World Shipping you will have the task of communicating with the Shipper not only the requirements to comply with SOLAS but also the securing of the VGM (Verified Gross Mass). This occurs because on the MBL All World Shipping will show as the Shipper and yourself as the Agent.
The procedure when using All World Shipping is that the Booking and MBL process happens outside of the AWS On-Line system so that the Agent can easily maintain information regarding the shipment and feed the various other modules within your own Logistics systems.
Given this is current and vital process you will need to adopt additional procedures to secure information at the earliest point while confirming to the Actual Shipper their Liability regarding supplying this information
When contacted by a Shipper to start a shipment you should reaffirm the requirements of SOLAS and send them the attached suggested Spreadsheet to capture the mandated information on a per container basis and return the form to you for your record and then supply the same to any Ocean Carrier or other bodies as requested
One additional thought would be to include the following statement in your Booking confirmation back to the shipper
SOLAS WEIGHT CERTIFICATION:
Merchant acknowledges that it is required to provide verified weights obtained on calibrated, certified equipment of all cargo that is to be tendered to steamship lines. Shipper agrees that Carrier is entitled to rely on the accuracy of such weights and to counter-sign or endorse it as Carrier’s own certified weight to the steamship line carrying the cargo. The Merchant agrees that it shall indemnify and hold the Carrier harmless from any and all claims, losses, penalties or other costs resulting from any incorrect or questionable verification of the weight provided by Merchant or its agent or contractor on which the Carrier relies.
We intend to also modify our on-line procedures to include this information and also reference the same in the Terms and Conditions on the Back of the HBL
How can the gross mass be verified?
The SOLAS regulation allows for two methods to verify the gross mass (VGM) of packed containers:
Method 1. Weighing the packed container using calibrated and certified equipment; or
Method 2: Weighing all packages and cargo items, including the mass of pallets, dunnage and other securing material to be packed in the container and adding the tare mass of the container to the sum of the single masses, using a certified method approved by the competent authority of the State in which packing of the container was completed.
Method 2 will not be practical for shippers of bulk commodities like iron ore, grain, etc.,
For more information about VGM Suggested Process and Template
Click here
C. Negotiated Rate Agreements (only for shipments to and from the U.S.)
If the shipment is USA export or if you are importing into the USA, you must file your sell rates in our NRA filing system. Your sell rate needs to include all charges and be filed as a lump sum. The sell rate must be filed even if it is the same as the "buy" rate. Please note that it is imperative to properly and accurately declare the commodity being shipped as otherwise the FMC may impose severe penalties. Please ensure that the NRA be completed prior to your cargo being delivered to the pier, delivered to the rail ramp, or picked up at origin on door moves. Also in order for the NRA to be complete and compliant with FMC regulations you must go back into our system and enter any and all booking or booking numbers that correspond to your NRA. Each agent will be billed for NRA filing fees at $15.00 per NRA. For NRA filing format & instructions, please access at
NRA Filings page and select Create New NRA button.
D. Loading Confirmation
Agents are responsible to work with the carriers and confirm cargo has been loaded onto vessel and send the appropriate pre-alert information to the destination agent. Should there be any changes to the vessel name or departure date all documents need to be amended accordingly and the destination agent notified. Always, identify yourself as an All World Shipping agent so the carrier will know AWS is their shipper.
E. AMS Filing (only for shipments to the U.S.)
For shipments to the USA, agents are responsible for submitting their manifests through AMS as per the U.S. Customs regulations by using AWS (
AMS - HBL System). All AMS submission must be done 24 hours prior to vessel departure at the port of load. At the same time you must provide the destination agent with the proper information to complete the ISF 10+2 filing on behalf of the import consignee. Please email
AWS Admin to apply to update your User ID / Password for AMS access. Each agent will be billed for AMS Transmission fees at USD 19.50 per transmission. A reduced AMS filing fee is available for agents who elect to post a refundable deposit.
F. AWS HBL
Agents are responsible for submitting the necessary export paperwork to the ocean carrier to obtain the Master OBL.
When an agent issues the AWS HBL in conjunction with a shipment, All World Shipping MUST be shown on the ocean carrier’s MBL in either the Shipper or the Consignee box. The most common procedure is to show the following on the MBL:
(Your company name) As Agent for:
All World Shipping Corp
Followed by Your Address.
OR
(Your company name) On Behalf of
All World Shipping Corp
Followed by Your Address.
Showing All World Shipping on the MBL is essential to link it to the AWS HBL.
When you utilize the HBL in a USA Trade you MUST ensure that you have completed the other required functions: on all U.S. shipments you must file a FMC sell rate in the AWS NRA and on all inbound shipments to the U.S. you must complete the AMS filing to U.S. Customs prior to completing the HBL via our on-line system.
The AWS HBL should be issued prior to the vessel sailing but MUST be issued within seven days of vessel sailing. Failure to issue the AWS HBL within this time frame will subject the agent to a late filing fee of USD 50.00 per HBL in addition to the standard HBL fee.
Regardless of the origin or destination of the shipment, if the Master OBL shows All World Shipping as the Shipper or the Consignee, the AWS Agent MUST issue the online AWS HBL. No manual AWS HBL’s may be utilized under any circumstances.
Only HBL’s generated in the AWS On-line system and supplied directly to the Shipper or Consignee are allowed. There are absolutely no exceptions to this. Any agent failing to adhere to this policy will be subject to the penalties outlined and be subject to having their membership terminated.
When you issue Seaway Bill (Express Release) or Surrender Bill (Telex – Email Release), AWS would require the signed and returned Letter of Indemnification (LOI) detailing the request for a Seaway B/L and releasing All World Shipping from liability during the delivery process. Failure to do so will void Liability and AWS will not be responsible for any consequences that should arise as a result. Please contact
AWS team for LOI form.
G. AWS Monthly Invoice
AWS invoices our agents on a monthly basis our fees for issuing our on-line HBL, filing NRA rates and AMS filing. We suggest that each agent keep funds deposited at AWS.
H. Cargo and HBL Restrictions
The AWS HBL may only be used for shipments of LCL and FCL ISO containerized cargo. The AWS HBL may not be used for “switch” or triangle shipments
Our HBL may be not used for Personal Effects / Household Goods unless you have prior written approval from AWS. To secure that approval requires that a professional moving company is engaged to move the effects and load the container.
In addition, the AWS HBL may not be used for shipments of bullion and precious metals; bank notes, coins, checks or credit cards; bonds or other financial instruments; jewelry or works of art, antiques or precious stones; live animals; military goods; cellular or mobile telephones; plastic or rubber scrap.
I. Shipping Documents (on shipments to and from the U.S.)
The Federal Maritime Commissions mandates that OTIs must include their names and license or registration numbers on all shipping documents and communications (including written, printed and electronic communications), and require their agents to include the OTI principal’s name, license or registration number on all shipping documents issued on behalf of the OTI. An entity that issues shipping documents in its own name is presumed to be operating in its own name and not on behalf of a licensed or registered OTI.
All World Shipping and our OTI information must be included on all shipping documents per the example below:
"Freight and other charges included on the invoice are in accordance with All World Shipping HBL AWSLxxxxxx. All World Shipping is a licensed NVOCC with the Federal Maritime Commission as per OTI License 17745N. More information regarding All World Shipping can be found at www.allworldshipping.com."
J. Failure to Comply
Agents who fail to comply with NRA, AMS or SED filing or issuing the on-line HBL as specified in the procedures outlined above will be subject to legal action and termination of agency privileges.
