Shenzhen-Hai Phong 1x40HQ Machinery Direct Sea
For time-sensitive manufacturing supply chains, the difference between a “Direct” sailing and “Transshipment” is critical.
When a previous logistics provider missed cutoffs and forced a direct shipment into a slow transshipment route, a Huizhou factory turned to GWT Shipping.
This case details how we restored a fast, direct link from Shenzhen to Hai Phong, Vietnam, for a 40HQ container of machinery, while simultaneously managing complex split-documentation requirements during the pre-holiday rush.
Situation & Client Context
Client | A Manufacturing Factory based in Huizhou, China. |
Contract | Urgent FCL Export (Pre-Chinese New Year). |
Shipment | 1 x 40HQ of Machinery and Spare Parts. |
Route | Shenzhen Port to Hai Phong, Vietnam. |
Objective | Secure a guaranteed direct sailing (no transshipment) and handle a complex “One Container, Two Declarations” requirement. |
Prior Pain Points | The client’s previous forwarder was unprofessional and frequently missed operational milestones. This resulted in the cargo missing the direct vessel and being rolled to a transshipment service, significantly increasing transit time and disrupting the Vietnam factory’s schedule. |
The Challenges
GWT Shipping took over this shipment in mid-December 2022, a peak period before the holidays, facing three distinct operational hurdles:
Restoring Direct Transit: The client’s trust was broken. They demanded a guaranteed direct sailing. Any delay or rolling to a transshipment vessel (as happened previously) was unacceptable.
Complex Documentation (Split Shipment): The client required a unique setup: One physical container (1x40HQ) but Two separate Bills of Lading (B/Ls) and Two separate Customs Declarations. This requires precise coordination to ensure both sets of data are linked to the single container number without errors.
Strict Timeline Management: The previous agent failed because they didn’t track time nodes. GWT had to ensure the trucking, loading, and declaration milestones were hit perfectly to catch the fast boat.
GWT Shipping's Solution & Actions
Our team implemented a precision-focused plan to guarantee the direct schedule and manage the split documentation.
Step 1: Carrier Verification & Route Stabilization
Action: GWT’s operations team audited the schedules of all carriers on the Shenzhen-Hai Phong route for the upcoming month.
Decision: We selected a carrier with whom GWT has a deep partnership and a proven track record of direct service stability. We avoided carriers known for “blank sailings” or transshipment rolls.
Outcome: We secured guaranteed space on a direct vessel, locking in the fastest transit time.
Step 2: Split-Documentation Strategy
Action: To handle the “1 Container, 2 Declarations” requirement, GWT’s operations and customs teams worked in tandem.
Execution: We coordinated the precise split of the packing lists and invoices. Our customs team prepared two separate export declarations, ensuring the total weight and piece count perfectly matched the single container’s VGM.
Outcome: Both declarations were released simultaneously, allowing the single container to be gated in without a “data mismatch” error.
Step 3: Tight Operational Monitoring
Action: Learning from the previous forwarder’s failure, GWT assigned a dedicated operator to track every hour of the process.
Execution: From the moment the cargo was ready in Huizhou, we coordinated the trailer, monitored the loading, confirmed the VGM, and ensured the customs release was obtained well before the port cutoff.
Outcome: The cargo caught the intended direct vessel with time to spare.
Results & Benefits
By focusing on operational discipline and carrier reliability, GWT restored the integrity of the client’s supply chain.
Direct Transit Achieved: The cargo arrived in Hai Phong via a direct sailing, avoiding the delays of transshipment and meeting the factory’s production deadline.
Flawless Split Documentation: The “Two B/Ls, Two Declarations” requirement was executed perfectly, ensuring smooth customs clearance at both origin and destination.
Service Upgrade: The client finally received the professional, timeline-focused service they lacked. Satisfied with the result, they appointed GWT as their Designated Agent, transferring all their air and sea export business to us.
Conclusion
This case highlights that “fast transit” relies on “fast operations.” The previous forwarder failed not because the ship was slow, but because their operations were slow. GWT Shipping ensures speed by managing every time node, from booking to customs, guaranteeing that our clients’ cargo makes the direct sailing every time.
Client Review
Our last agent turned our direct shipments into slow transshipments because they missed deadlines. GWT is different. They secured the direct boat, handled our complex split documents, and kept us informed every step of the way.
— Our Manufacturing Partner in Huizhou
Founded in 2004, Shenzhen Guanwutong International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. (GWT) is a WCA- and AEO-certified global logistics provider offering end-to-end air, ocean, rail, express, and DDP solutions.
With bonded warehouses in Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Fuzhou, plus 24/7 customs brokerage and real-time tracking, we deliver reliable, compliant, and tailored freight services to 3000+ clients across 190+ countries.
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