Why We Require a 75% Deposit & How Final Invoicing Works in International Shipping

When working with an international cargo transportation company, it’s crucial to understand how pricing, billing, and deposits are structured. This guide explains why a 75% deposit is required upfront, how actual freight charges may differ from your initial quotation, and when you can expect to receive your final invoice.

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Why a 75% Deposit Is Required

We ask for a 75% deposit to secure your booking. The deposit is based on the estimated international shipping cost calculated from the weight and measurements (W/M) you provide in your quote and booking request.

This deposit protects both parties:

• It allows us to book cargo space with the carrier
• It secures your spot in container consolidation
• It minimizes underpayment risks due to inaccurate volume estimates

If you’re not an experienced exporter and don’t know your cargo's exact weight and size, don’t worry — it’s common. Our online international freight calculator can estimate the price of your cargo transportation overseas based on rough dimensions. However, the actual cost of the transnational convey will be determined after the terminal verifies the real measurements.
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Verifying Cargo at the CFS Terminal

Once your shipment arrives at the CFS (Container Freight Station), the terminal staff will reconfirm the number of units, the total volume, and weight. This verified data will appear on the warehouse receipt we’ll share with you.

If you notice discrepancies between your original submission and the terminal’s measurements, you may dispute the issue directly with the CFS. This process ensures transparency and protects you from mischarges.

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Palletizing May Increase Costs

If you send more than three loose boxes or smaller items, CFS requires that they be palletized. This service:

• Adds material and handling fees
• Increases the chargeable volume of your shipment
• It is not included in your initial quote unless you ship aboard a pallet(s) or crate(s) of exact dimensions and weight.

Once your cargo is palletized, we’ll send you a new volume summary from the terminal, showing the updated dimensions and impact on your total international shipping cost.

✔ To avoid unnecessary volume charges, pack your items compactly and eliminate "dead space."
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Final Invoice: What You're Really Paying For

You are billed based on the actual weight and measurement (W/M), not what was estimated in your quote. Your final invoice may also include extra charges not reflected in your original quote, such as:

• Palletizing or re-palletizing (e.g., ISPM15 non-compliance)
• Fumigation or wood treatment
• Carrier surcharges that apply to your specific circumstances.

❗ IMPORTANT. In short:

• If you overestimated W/M → you’ll pay less than quoted
• If you underestimated W/M → you’ll owe more on the final invoice

This is why we take a 75% deposit instead of 100%. This ensures affordable international shipping remains fair and flexible, avoiding large corrections after departure.
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When to Expect the Final Invoice

✔ You will receive your final invoice (minus the 75% deposit) after your cargo is confirmed onboard the vessel, not upon arrival at the destination.

Typical timing:

• The final invoice is issued after the carrier generates the Bill of Lading (around the ETD — Estimated Time of Departure)
• If your transit time is short, we may send the invoice after receiving a rated BOL from the carrier

This process ensures that your final bill accurately reflects what you’ve actually shipped, supporting a more transparent and predictable billing cycle.
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Summary

Deposits, documentation, and cost adjustments are standard practice for every reputable global cargo transportation company. We aim to offer you both transparency and affordable international shipping, even when shipment details change slightly along the way.

Still have questions? Contact us before booking — we’re here to help simplify the process and provide you with accurate, real-world expectations for your international shipping costs.