Shipping Industry Explains Key Surcharges EBS CIC ECRS

Shipping Industry Explains Key Surcharges EBS CIC ECRS

EBS, CIC, and ECRS are common surcharges in international trade, addressing fuel fluctuations, container imbalance, and emergency costs, respectively. The payer depends on the trade terms and contractual agreements, with Chinese exports typically prepaid by the shipper. Clearly defining the party responsible for these fees in the contract can effectively prevent trade disputes. Understanding these charges is crucial for accurate cost calculation and avoiding unexpected expenses in international trade transactions.

02/06/2026 Logistics Encyclopedia
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10point Checklist for Efficient Bill of Lading Review

10point Checklist for Efficient Bill of Lading Review

The Bill of Lading (B/L) is a crucial document in international trade, and its accuracy directly impacts customs clearance. This article delves into ten key aspects of B/L review, including verifying the number of copies, carrier identification, on-board notations, mode of transport, and consignee information. By highlighting these critical areas, this guide helps you mitigate risks and ensure the safe and efficient arrival of your goods. Focus is given to avoiding discrepancies and ensuring compliance to facilitate smooth international freight operations.

09/26/2025 Document Interpretation
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Guide to Ocean Bills of Lading for Global Trade

Guide to Ocean Bills of Lading for Global Trade

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the various classification standards for international ocean bills of lading. These standards include factors such as whether the goods are loaded on board, the cleanliness of the bill of lading, transferability, mode of transport, content complexity, and validity. The characteristics and application scenarios of each type of bill of lading are detailed, aiming to help readers comprehensively master ocean bill of lading knowledge, avoid trade risks, and enhance the professionalism and security of international trade operations.

11/03/2025 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Bangladesh Enhances Trade Efficiency with Wcobacked Study

Bangladesh Enhances Trade Efficiency with Wcobacked Study

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP) held a strategic dialogue with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh in February 2021 to strengthen Bangladesh's Time Release Study (TRS) capabilities. The meeting reviewed Bangladesh Customs' TRS experience and developed a future action plan to improve clearance efficiency and promote trade facilitation. The aim is to streamline processes and reduce the time required for goods to be released from customs control, ultimately boosting trade competitiveness.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Rising Shipping Costs Squeeze Crossborder Ecommerce Profits

Rising Shipping Costs Squeeze Crossborder Ecommerce Profits

The peak season for cross-border e-commerce is approaching, with freight rates soaring across the board, reaching $2000 for the US West Coast. Shipping companies are announcing price adjustments, and reduced capacity is exacerbating the situation. Cross-border sellers face increased cost pressure and need to plan inventory in advance, optimize supply chains, increase product premiums, adjust pricing strategies, expand sales channels, and strengthen cost control to meet the challenges and maintain profits. Early preparation and strategic adjustments are crucial for navigating the rising costs.

01/04/2026 Logistics
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Stbs New Rules Aim to Ease Rail Freight Rate Disputes

Stbs New Rules Aim to Ease Rail Freight Rate Disputes

The US Surface Transportation Board (STB) has introduced two new rules to streamline railway freight rate dispute resolution, including a voluntary arbitration program and Final Offer Rate Review (FORR). However, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) strongly opposes these rules, citing “fatal flaws” in FORR and arguing the arbitration rules are “backwards.” Whether these new regulations will bring relief to shippers remains challenging, and shippers need to carefully assess the implications. The future impact of these regulations is uncertain amidst ongoing debate and potential legal challenges.

01/16/2026 Logistics
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CPKC Merger Approved Transforming North American Rail Freight

CPKC Merger Approved Transforming North American Rail Freight

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) has approved Canadian Pacific Railway's (CP) $31 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern (KCS), marking a new era for North American rail freight. The merged CPKC will be the first railway connecting the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, fostering trade growth, reducing highway congestion, promoting investment and job creation, and improving transportation efficiency. This merger reshapes the North American freight landscape by creating a single-line service across the continent, offering shippers new options and enhancing competition in the rail industry.

01/16/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Firms Under Fire for Service Failures After Staff Reductions

US Rail Firms Under Fire for Service Failures After Staff Reductions

Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Martin Oberman sharply criticized the four major railroads at the RailTrends conference, attributing their service crisis to 'self-inflicted' workforce reductions. He argued that these cuts have diminished rail transport capacity, significantly harming the U.S. economy. Oberman emphasized the need for railroads to balance shareholder interests with the public good and rebuild a healthy industry ecosystem. He believes the current service problems stem directly from prioritizing profits over reliable service and adequate staffing, leading to widespread disruptions in rail freight.

01/16/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Supply Chains Adopt Tech to Tackle Global Challenges

Supply Chains Adopt Tech to Tackle Global Challenges

Descartes' research reveals that supply chain leaders view technology as crucial for growth, especially when facing challenges like tariffs and trade barriers. 74% consider technology essential, with a higher proportion (88%) among high-growth companies. Global trade intelligence technology is seen as the most valuable tool, followed by trade analytics and supply chain mapping. Industries across the board recognize its value for operations. Technology adoption is seen as a key differentiator for navigating global trade complexities and achieving sustainable growth in today's challenging environment.

01/15/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Cloud Migration Boosts Supply Chain Resilience Efficiency

Cloud Migration Boosts Supply Chain Resilience Efficiency

Cloud computing is rapidly penetrating the supply chain management (SCM) field, encouraging businesses to adopt cloud-based software to optimize operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. The market size is continuously expanding, with cloud service spending increasing across the board, particularly in European and American markets. Cloud computing blurs the lines between SCM and SCP (Supply Chain Planning) and supports businesses in achieving sustainable development goals. Experts recommend starting small, scaling quickly, and fully leveraging the benefits of cloud computing within the supply chain.

01/19/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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