Can AWB Obtained from Supplier Before Balance Payment?
If you are shipping using ocean freight, usually you pay balance payment after supplier provided you Bill of Landing and then you get the original B/L.
However does same apply to Air Waybill? I see many cases where supplier's export agents lack the necessary attention to details which causes complication at imports costing importers demurrage fees and delays. Some even manage to send to the wrong country!
Is it accepted to ask for a copy of AWB before transferring balance payment to supplier? This is very important for international importers because this is more likely to happen to them.
You cannot be "Consignee" and yet you are "Importer of record" - IOR but those two are often used interchangeably. Since you are outside of US and do no have premises to accept freight you must use someone who would be referred to as "Ultimate consignee" on AWB. Chinese supplier often screw this up or they may get this but their shipping agents will not. Then shipment ends up under customs custody costing you time and energy to settle. What's more annoying is that business that would accept your shipment under consition that they will not be held responsible is now asked to pay customs duties and taxes bill on your behalf.
So - asking for a copy of AWB before final payment is legit or not to ensure it has been filled out as expected?
However does same apply to Air Waybill? I see many cases where supplier's export agents lack the necessary attention to details which causes complication at imports costing importers demurrage fees and delays. Some even manage to send to the wrong country!
Is it accepted to ask for a copy of AWB before transferring balance payment to supplier? This is very important for international importers because this is more likely to happen to them.
You cannot be "Consignee" and yet you are "Importer of record" - IOR but those two are often used interchangeably. Since you are outside of US and do no have premises to accept freight you must use someone who would be referred to as "Ultimate consignee" on AWB. Chinese supplier often screw this up or they may get this but their shipping agents will not. Then shipment ends up under customs custody costing you time and energy to settle. What's more annoying is that business that would accept your shipment under consition that they will not be held responsible is now asked to pay customs duties and taxes bill on your behalf.
So - asking for a copy of AWB before final payment is legit or not to ensure it has been filled out as expected?