Export Bookings

General Information 

Bookings can be made online via My OOCL Centre, by EDI, or by e-mail. Where Carrier Haulage is required we ask for 48 hours notice (day 1 booking for a day 3 collection) as next-day collections cannot be guaranteed. For all booking methods, it would be most appreciated if the following information is provided as applicable:

• Quotation Reference Number, Service Contract Number or Customised Service Offering (CSO) Number as provided by OOCL Sales at the conclusion of rate negotiations  

• Container size & type, commodity description, cargo weight and final destination  

• For Carrier Haulage, the full loading address including postcode, date and time, and driver's load reference. We kindly ask our customers to, where possible, avoid the 06.00-10.00 morning peak period for collections; instead, please consider afternoon loading times. These make it easier for us to provide on-time vehicle arrivals, maximise the efficiency of our haulage resource, and help reduce our joint carbon footprint by eliminating “empty miles”.   

• If customers would like us to complete the export customs formalities on their behalf we will need their VAT number, the commodity code(s), gross and net cargo weights, CIF value, and any other appropriate paperwork e.g. export licences, health certificates and CAP forms. A fee is levied for this service. We also require a singed PoA  

• Full details of any Dangerous Goods as required by ADR and IMDG regulations. See the Dangerous Goods section below for more information. 

• Heavy and high density commodities as waste paper, plastic scrap and scrap metal may require additional information to be provided and indemnities to be returned prior to booking acceptance. See the Recycled Commodities section below for more details. 

Failure to provide information in a timely manner may delay your shipment.

Upon receipt of your booking you will receive a confirmation by email, this will include the vessel name, ETS, ETA, Export Cargo Shipping Instruction (ECSI or SI) cutoff and booking number. The latter should be noted SI. Note that OOCL does not require submission of a Standard Shipping Note (SSN).

Please see our export Demurrage & Detention page for details of export free time and charges, and our Local Contacts page for relevant email addresses and telephone numbers.

Dangerous Goods

Customers are reminded of the absolute need to comply in full with all Dangerous Goods legislation. OOCL operates a zero tolerance policy for breaches of regulatory requirements. Shippers of Dangerous Goods are strongly recommended to read our recent notice on IMDG Amendment 34. 

A Dangerous Goods Note (DGN) completed & signed should be supplied to our driver at the load point. We also to ask customers to upload a copy of the DGN to the relevant Shipment Folder in My OOCL Center.

Effective October 1, 2010 the US DOT will implement a new requirement regarding the emergency response information provided on a hazardous material document (DGN or DG Certificate) under rule HM-206F. This new rule requires that the emergency contact party be clearly displayed in conjunction with the emergency response phone number. The contact party can be an individual or company who has direct knowledge of the hazardous materials being shipped and can provide technical assistance should an incident with the shipment arise.

Recycled Commodities

For bookings of waste paper, plastic scrap and scrap metal we have several extra provisions to our normal booking requirements. The following information MUST be provided:

• The Shipper’s name and address 
   
• If the destination of the cargo is China, the Shipper's AQSIQ License Number
    
• The Consignee’s name, address, telephone number and contact name
   

Without this information we will be unable to process your booking.

OOCL Customer Service will make checks to ensure that both the Shipper and the Consignee have the respective licenses and Letters of Indemnity in place, and that the Consignee will accept the cargo.  OOCL LOIs can be downloaded from the table at the bottom of this page.

Shippers and Consignees are re-verified every 3 months, therefore if you ship cargo regularly and the Shipper(s) and Consignee(s) have been pre-approved by OOCL there will be no delay in the booking process. If however you are shipping cargo to a new Consignee, or one that OOCL has not previously approved, then you may experience a delay.

Furthermore, we require 3 working days notice to arrange export collection under Carrier Haulage (e.g. bookings should be placed before 12:00 midday on Monday for collection the following Thursday). Next-day collections will not be accepted.

Please be flexible and allow for containers to be handled in the afternoon. However, if there are a large number of collections from the same depot on the same day, an even spread of morning and afternoon times will be accepted.