First Container Checklist

First-time importers, exporters, traders, and operations teams · Before committing to a first FCL or container shipment

Risk warnings

A first container should not move until the commercial file, freight file, customs file, payment controls, insurance, and arrival plan agree with each other.

Freeze the final commercial scope: product, SKU, specification, grade, pack size, quantity, palletization, container type, and shipment value.
Reconcile the supplier quote, proforma, PO, and internal approval so product, price, currency, Incoterm, named place, payment terms, and lead time match.
Confirm payment controls before release: deposit amount, balance trigger, shipment or document condition, beneficiary name, bank country, SWIFT or account details, and callback verification.
Record who owns exceptions across buying, finance, logistics, customs, quality, and supplier communication before the shipment moves.

Confirm the container plan: 20ft, 40ft, high cube, reefer if relevant, payload limit, CBM, pallet fit, carton stack pattern, loading method, and VGM responsibility.
Check Incoterm scope, named place, freight responsibility, forwarder quote inclusions, carrier booking, routing, ETD, ETA, document cutoffs, and cargo delivery cutoffs.
Complete quality release before loading: approved sample, inspection result, spec acceptance, batch or lot confirmation, loading photos, seal number, and shipment evidence.
For food, chilled, frozen, or shelf-life-sensitive cargo, confirm production date, expiry or best-before date, temperature setting, pre-cooling, data logger plan, and minimum life at arrival.

Pre-check the customs document pack with the broker: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or sea waybill instructions, certificates, origin evidence, HS code, value, quantity, weights, and package counts.
Confirm cargo insurance responsibility, insured value, covered risks, claim contact, and whether coverage starts before or after loading under the chosen Incoterm.
Prepare destination readiness: importer of record, broker instructions, duty and tax funding, port charges, free time, demurrage and detention exposure, warehouse appointment, and local delivery plan.
Do not ship the first container until commercial scope, payment release, freight booking, customs documents, insurance, destination handling, and escalation owners are confirmed in writing.