Documentation requirements

Exports:

a - How to fill in a Bill of lading

The Bill of Lading.doc (269 kb)

b - How to make a temperature letter

An Exporter, who will load perishable cargo, must send us written instructions, directed to the vessel's Master on how to proceed with his goods, at which temperature should they be transported, which temperature variation is acceptable, etc. etc. We include below a model to be used:

Carta de temperatura.doc (2.93 kb)

c - Loading orders electronic transmission requirement

In order for our Client to coordinate the empty pick up from the corresponding terminal, he ought to complete the next form, and send it to our operator: Montecon. In this way, our Client ( or the person he nominates) receives by mail and on time, the corresponding loading order which allow the container to be picked up, avoiding any possible delay in the operation.

NDR.xls (2.45 kb)

Imports:

Some formalities that have to be carried out in order to release the goods:

About one week before vessel's arrival into Montevideo port, our documentation office BRS Uruguay, receives manifests issued by the carriers in which cargo to be unloaded at the respective port at arrival is detailed.

Therefore, after duly checking these documents, our BRS people inform our Clients on the cargo that they will be receiving.
According to the kind of the goods which might be arriving, different arrival notice letters are sent, models of which are enclosed below.

* Arrival notice and responsibility letter.

Through this letter, which today is sent via private mail, the agency informs each and every of its import Clients, of the arrival of his cargo, including details such as: vessel's name, estimated date of arrival, bill of lading and corresponding container number (s) and also charges to be paid.
Client is also informed about the formalities to be carried out including the number of free days he has got to pick up the goods and the costs for the empty container return. The responsibility of the receiver regarding the timely and safe return of the units is also stipulated within this letter.

Carta de Responsabilidad.doc (70.2 kb) |   Carta Pago de Flete.doc (67.9 kb)

* General average letter

If a Client needs a direct delivery of goods, and document certification has thus to be started before the real arrival of the vessel, it becomes necessary that the Clients presents at our offices the next application:

Gerenal average letter.doc (67.2 kb)

* Perishable cargo letter

When an import client receives perishable cargo, he is notified of his reefer container arrival as usual, and he is informed as well that after discharge, this container will receive electricity supply in order to keep its temperature condition. Charges will be to his account, unless we are instructed on the contrary. Therefore we suggest that either ourselves or the terminal is contacted so as to coordinate the proper maintenance of the cold chain.

Reefer.doc (155 kb)

* Dangerous cargo letter (IMO cargo)

When an import client, receives IMO cargo, he is notified of his container arrival as usual and he is also informed about the ANP (National Port Administration) resolution regarding IMO cargo which establishes that IMO cargo must be directly picked up after discharge from vessel.

Carta Carga IMO.doc (3.02 kb)

Import cargo release requests:

a) What is the documentation the customs' broker must bring to our offices so as to obtain the release of the goods?

- Duly signed Original B/L, paid freight
- General average letter or direct delivery (in case release is required prior to vessel's arrival)
- Responsiblility letter duly signed by consignee

b) What does the client get?

- B/L certification
- Delivery order

c) What are the charges to be paid?

- Freight and charges as per the vessel's cargo manifest (if they are shown as collect)
- Local charges (THC, certification, etc.)
- Door delivery, if same had been previously so negotiated with Global Shipping S.A.
- Demurrage, if same was generated by the containers, by exceeding the free days time granted by the carrier, which will be stipulated in the corresponding responsibility letter ( storage charges which might be eventually generated at the ANP, are to be paid directly to the port operator).

Some issues to keep in mind during the document release process:

I) The customs' broker or the client must present to the carrier's maritime agent, a original bill of lading issued by such carrier (called 'MASTER BILL OF LADING').
Original bills of lading issued by NVOCCs or Freight Forwards (usually called 'HOUSE BILLS OF LADING') are not considered valid for this process (cargo release from the carrier's agent).

II) The original bill of lading presented by the import to the maritime agent must be duly endorsed by the consignee stated on the bill of lading. If the consignee has endorsed the bill of lading or transferred his rights to someone else, all endorsements must be shown.

In the cases of cargoes consigned to a private person, he/she has to sign, plus write down their name and their document number (ID card or passport), also a photocopy of this document must be also given in at our offices together with the original bill of lading.

It is important to highlight that when cargo is consigned to a private person (not a company), the bill of lading must be endorsed by the consignee who appears on this bill of lading. A third party's endorsement will not be accepted, unless such party presents an attorney's legal power which enables him to act in the name of the consignee.

Finally, once corresponding endorsements are carried out, the customs' broker establishes at the back of the original bill of lading, the 'I received the transference of the goods' , date, signature, explanation (by attorney 's power).

III) Martime freight and charges must be paid prior to cargo release.

Payment of freight and charges can be done in any of the next ways:

a) Making a cash deposit at our bank account (details of which are included in the responsibility letter which is sent to the import client, prior to vessel's arrival) and sending us copy of the deposit voucher.
b) Presenting in our offices a 'certified' check.
c) Through a check belonging to a local bank. In this case, the certification and release of the cargo take place after our bank has confirmed the accreditation of the check.

IV) If the import client wants to have a direct delivery he needs to release the goods prior to vessel arrival. In this case, he must give in to the maritime agent a 'general average letter'. This letter must be signed by the consignee/ receiver and presented by the customs' broker together with the original bill of lading.