International Marketing Practices

Table 17. Approximate container dimensions [175]. Graphic by ISBU Association.

Inside dimensions L×W×H 19’4 ⅛ ”×7’8½”×7’8½” 19’4 ⅛ ”×7’8½”×8’9” 39’5½”×7’8½”×7’8½” 39’5½”×7’8½”×8’9”

Door opening W×H

Tare (lb)

Payload (lb) 62,400

Capacity (ft 3 )

Type

20 GP 20 HC* 40 GP 40 HC*

7’8”×7’5” 7’8”×8’5” 7’8”×7’5” 7’8”×8’5”

5,141 5,181 8,330 9,260

1,165 1,307 2,331

58,900

2,684 *HC “High Cube” containers are 1 foot taller than GP “General Purpose” containers [175]. Documentation Documentation is essential for successfully completing and validating any transaction, especially with regard to international trade. Owing to the complexity of international operations, it might be beneficial to work with a freight forwarder, shipping agent, Export Assistance Center, District Export Council, or other resource to assist in finalizing documentation, particularly if you are exporting large volumes of product [19]. An Export Assistance Center is a counseling resource for small to medium sized firms offered by the U.S. Commercial Service. To locate an Export Assistance Center near you, visit https://2016.export.gov/usoffices/ [176]. A District Export Council is an organization of local business leaders appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to provide expertise on international trade. Visit https://www.usaexporter.org/local-dec-locator/ to find your local council [177]. If documentation is faulty or incomplete, there can be negative effects, ranging from shipment delay or rejection to potentially hefty fines. The most common forest products export documents are explained in the following sections, and sample resources can be found in Appendix E. Documentation Before Shipment Pro forma invoice. A pro forma invoice lists the costs incurred by the buyer and seller, often used as an offering of sale or price quotation [178]. This document includes a high level of detail regarding product descriptions, itemized charges, and sales terms to prevent errors and save time [38, 39].

Letter of credit. A letter of credit guarantees payment to the exporting firm. Through a letter of credit, an importing bank promises to pay the company, as long

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