FAQ

SALES DEPARTMENT

What are the measures of a 20ft and 40ft container?

You can find references on the following link. In general, the containers of 20’ are used for weight shipments and 40' containers for volume cargoes.
Download (.jpg) Container mesures

What is the main difference between 40'DV containers and 40'HC?

40’ Hc containers are 30 cms. higher than 40’DV or standard equipments.

How do I recognize whether a BL corresponds to MSC?

BL's numbers consist of 12 characters. The BL's of Mediterranean Shipping Company SA always start with the acronym MSCU + 8 characters (including letters and numbers). Additionally the paper of the BL's is yellow.

How can I track my shipment?

You must enter the BL number or container number on the following link: Tracking

Can I track my shipment with the consignee name / notify / ship out?

No, any tracking or load information should be sought with a number of BL or container.

Can I track my shipment with a house BL number of or Forwarder?
No, our system does not recognize BL’s numbers of freight forwarders. However, this document details the number of container, a fact with which you can track through our website.

Does the scheduled date of arrival ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) is a confirmed date?

No, as mentioned, it is only an estimated date. This can vary depending on several factors: transshipment, wheater, etc. The vessel arrival is confirmed only once it docks at the port.

Why doesn’t the merchandise arrive on the same ship on which it has been loaded?

The change from one vessel to another is known as transshipment and is an operational strategy used by all carriers to reduce transit times and optimize the space used on ships.

Can I get a quotation over phone?

No. Any request for quotations must be entered through our website www.mscbolivia.com, following the next link: Form. Quote

Can you quote the shipping service fee per ton?

No. The rate quoted corresponds to the container type required (20ft or 40ft) considering the maximum load capacity of each of the units.

Can MSC Bolivia help with all formalities (consolidation of the container, Customs procedures and special permits, etc.) required at the port of loading for import into Bolivia?

No. As shipping line, we do not offer these services. In this case, it is advisable that you contact an intermediary, a freight forwarder or a customs agent to assist you with these issues.

Is it possible to manage an import from Bolivia?

Yes. It is possible while we obtain complete information on the shipper or supplier to coordinate closely with our agency in the place of origin. This coordination does have not an additional cost.

DOCUMENTATION DEPARTMENT

EXPORT

How can I send my shipping instruction to the shipping line?

The hand in of the shipping instruction should be made by the client/port agent through the system INTTRA and it must be transmitted within the established times by the shipping line, according to the Stacking deadlines, in order to avoid extra charges for the transmission of the shipping instruction.

How can I correct my BL, once issued?

· You must surrender the complete set of 3 / 3 original BL's to MSC offices either at destination or origin.

· The shipper must request in written what corrections are desired and indicate place of issuance of new set of original BL's.

· The consignee must pay into the FLETES MSC account of Banco de Crédito de Bolivia, It has a cost USD.40,00 if the discharge port is in U.S., Canada or Mexico. In case the destination ports are on the rest of the world, it is payable on MSC Bolivia account, fromBanco de Crédito de Bolivia n°201-5008736-214. The cost is USD.25,00

How early can I gather my original BLs from MSC offices?

You can pick up the set of BL's from MSC Bolivia offices, 48 working hrs. after departure of the ship from the ports of Arica and Iquique, Chile.

How should I proceed when I authorize a third party collect my original BL?

The client should give a written instruction through formal letter with letterhead, stamped and signed, confirming to the Documentation Department of MSC Bolivia offices, full details of the natural person / legal entity authorized to pick up the BL's. Procedures - Export Documentation

IMPORT

Is it necessary to manifest the clause “In transit to Bolivia” for import shipments with a destination to Bolivia trough Arica or Iquique, Chile ports?

The BL should always read a clause of "Cargo in transit to Bolivia" in all BL's cargo bounded to Bolivia. If not the cargo will be declared as "Consumo Chile"

How should I proceed when I authorize a third party collect my original BL?

Since when do I collect original BL's from MSC offices?

You can pick up the set of BL's from MSC Bolivia offices, 48 hrs. Prior to vessel arrives to Arica and Iquique, Chilean ports.

What is the due time to make corrections at no cost, and what is the procedure?
Corrections will be received free of charge 72 business hours prior to vessel arriving at Arica and Iquique, Chilean ports.

The consignee or shipper of the cargo has to surrender the complete set of 3 / 3 original BL's to MSC offices either in origin or destination.

Must be requested in written what corrections are to be made, these must be confirmed by the shipper, and indicate place of issuance of new set of original BL's.

In the of the BL's being corrected and re-printed in Bolivia, the charge is USD 35.

How can I obtain an Ocean Freight Certificate?
In case the original BL doesn't count with freights, the consignee or the port agent must request the emission of the Ocean Freight Certificate to the shipping line, sending its application in electronic format and paying the local charge of USD 22.

For more information about this procedure please go to the following link Procedures - Import Documentation.

LOGISTICS & INTERMODAL DEPARTMENT

Release & Strip

Can I release my cargo if I don’t have the original BLs?

No, the presentation of Original BL is essential for the release of cargo.

Who can request the release/strip of the units?

The consignee of the master BL must be the person who requests the release/strip of the units.

What are demurrages or delays?

Demurrage or delay is a penalty charged by the carrier due to the delay in the return of the units to the authorized depots of the shipping company. This penalty is calculated once the 18 free days the shipping line offers following the discharge of the unit at port.

Can I return the container in Bolivia?

No, all container should be returned to the port of arrival.

If I have a house BL that does not match with what has been manifested by the forwarder agent at custom’s port, may I request the cargo release?

No, the house BL should be as is stated to the custom port by the freight forwarder agency.

If the BL is declared at port customs as “Chilean cargo” may the cargo enter to the Bolivian territory?
No, the cargo must be declared in Transit to Bolivia in order to enter to Bolivian territory.

When is a BL nominative?
A BL is nominative when it is directly consigned to a natural person or a company with no possibility of negotiation or transfer of ownership of the cargo.

When the BL is nominative can it be endorsed to release the cargo to a third party?

No. To obtain the endorsement of the master BL as valid, the BL should be negotiable and not nominative, that is to say it must be consigned “to order of”.

Does MSC Bolivia return the BL which is presented to release or strip the cargo?

No. The original BL submitted for release or strip procedure stays along with the request as a legal support that consignee pick up his cargo.

FREIGHT COLLECTION DEPARTMENT

Can I pay-cash at the offices of MSC Bolivia?

No. For security reasons can not be paid in cash. To do this the customer must pay on the appropriate account according to the contracted service.

Into what account is the Servicio de Administracion y Mantencion de Contenedores charge deposited?

· The client must go to Banco Bisa and indicate it will be making a PAYMENT FOR MSC, mentioning the container number and/or the name of the consignee.

· The payment must be done in cash or cheque in the same bank.

· The bank will hand over the receipt with the NIT number indicated by the client.

Into what account are demurrages deposited?

· Demurrage, Damage, Cleaning, Claims: Banco de Credito de Bolivia Account Demoras MSC

What is the cost to issue original BL’s in MSC Bolivia?

The emission of original BL’s in Bolivia has a cost of USD 35,00, amount to be deposited in the Current Account No. 201-5008736-2-14 - Banco de Crédito de Bolivia.

Please send the deposit receipt to the e-mail: cobranzas@mscbolivia.com.bo

What information is needed to confirm the outstanding payments of a shipment?

You must have the number of BL or container to verify outstanding payments.

Can I pay the freight of a shipment directly to MSC when the shipment was coordinated by an NVOCC (Broker / Forwarder)?

No. Payment must be accomplished directly to the company from which the service has been contracted.

Are there any restrictions on payments of freight at destination?

The ocean freight is payable at the port of loading or the destination port according to customer requirements, but cargo of second-hand or personal effects must always be prepaid at port of loading.

Back | Top