ChinAfrika Logistics Limited
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Booking & Operations

Booking & Operations

You booked a rate. Now what?
This visual guide shows you exactly where to click to download your Shipping Order (S/O), submit data, and get your Bill of Lading.

! The 3 Stages of Operations

01
Start Here
Confirmation (S/O)

We secure space and upload a Shipping Order. You download this PDF and give it to your trucker to pick up the container.

02
Your Action
Submit Instructions (SI)

Critical Step: You fill out the "Shipping Instruction" form and upload Invoice/Packing List before the deadline.

03
Final Step
Review & Approve B/L

We generate a Draft B/L. You check it on screen. If correct, you click "Approve". If wrong, you click "Amend".

Click myCall > My Shipments in the top menu. This dashboard is your operational "Control Tower".
Pay close attention to the STATUS column.

Visual Reference: Understanding the Status Badge

Pending
Wait Mode: We are talking to the Carrier. No S/O yet.
Confirmed
Active Mode: Booking is secured! S/O is ready to download.
Rejected
Cancelled: No space or expired quote. View notes for why.
Visual Reference: "My Shipments" Dashboard
BK-SHG-NBO-10492
Shanghai
Mombasa
Booking Ref # Route Requested On Status
BK-SHG-NBO-10492
Shanghai (CNSHG)
↓ Mombasa (KEMBA)
 05 Jul, 2026 Confirmed View Details →
BK-NGB-LAX-09281
Ningbo (CNNGB)
↓ Los Angeles (USLAX)
 03 Jul, 2026 Pending View Details →
Step 1: Open Details

Click "View Details" on your Confirmed booking.

Step 2: Scroll Down

Scroll to the bottom-right to find the "Document Vault".

Look for this box on your screen
System Documents
SO-BK-001.pdf
Download
Find this Red Button on your Dashboard:

Located in the left panel of the Booking Details page.

STEP 1

Define Parties (Shipper / Consignee / Notify Party)

Enter the names and addresses of who is sending and receiving the goods.

  • Shipper: Usually you (The Exporter).
  • Consignee: Who appears on the B/L.
  • Notify Party: Who receives arrival notices (often same as Consignee).
Use "Manage" for Auto-fill!
Shipper Manage
Type Name...
Type Address...
Mastering the Address Book

Stop typing the same address twice. Set it up once, use it forever.

Phase 1: Saving a Company
1

Click the small Manage link located above the Shipper or Consignee name field. This opens the Address Book in a new tab.

2

Click "Add New Contact" and fill in the form as shown.

Pro Tip: Use the Alias field. This is a short nickname (e.g., "My Warehouse") that helps you find it fast later.

Admin Tip: Use this Format
New Contact Form
Shanghai HQ Depot
Shanghai Logistics Trading Co. Ltd
No. 88, Yangshan Road, Pudong District, Shanghai, China
Phase 2: Using "Quick Fill"
3

Return to the Shipping Instruction Form. Look for the search box labeled "Quick Fill..." above the party fields.

4
Type the Alias you saved (e.g., "Depot").
  • A dropdown list will appear instantly.
  • Click your company in that list.
  • The "Name" and "Address" boxes below will automatically populate.
SI Wizard View
Consignee
Shanghai HQ Depot Shanghai Logistics Trading Co.
Other Company
↓ Click populates below ↓
Shanghai Logistics Trading Co. Ltd
No. 88, Yangshan Road...
STEP 2

Cargo & Containers Details

This is the most critical part. You need to declare exactly what is loaded inside each container.

Container Details Form Interface:

Visual Reference: Cargo Container Header Inputs
40ft High Cube Container Auto-Calculated Totals
MSKU1234567
SEAL123456
120
14,250.00 kg
58.400 cbm
A. The Container Header

First, tell us the ID of the box you picked up.

  • Container No: 4 Letters (e.g. MSKU) + 7 Numbers.
  • Seal No: The lock number from the driver.
  • Do not edit the "Totals" (Pkgs/KGS). These auto-calculate from the lines below.
Container No
Seal No
Pkgs
0
Weight
0.00
Meas
0.00
B. The Cargo Rows

List the specific items loaded inside. Click Add Another Line if you have multiple commodities (e.g. Shoes & Bags).

  • HS Code: 6-digit tariff code.
  • Description: "Women's Leather Shoes".
  • W/M: Gross Weight and CBM Volume.
Marks...
HS Code...
Description...
Qty
KGS
CBM
Add Another Cargo Line
Pro Tip 1: Duplicate Row
Have 10 different boxes of similar size? Click the Copy Icon ( ) at the end of the row to clone it, then just edit the weight.
Pro Tip 2: Remove Row
If you clicked "Add Line" or the "Dupplicate" icon by mistake, click the Trash Icon ( ) at the end of the row to delete the entire row.
Visual Reference: Dynamic Cargo Lines & Dimension Formula
Shipping Marks
N/M
HS Code *
6403.91
Description of Goods *
Women's Leather Shoes, rubber soles, boxed in retail cartons.
Packages *
120 Cartons
Weight *
14,250.00 kg
Volume (L x W x H CM) & CBM
120
80
160
1.536
Duplicate Row Delete Row
STEP 3

Upload Required Documents

You must attach the Commercial Invoice and Packing List. Click the Choose File button to browse your computer.

Commercial Invoice
Packing List

What is a Draft B/L?

The Bill of Lading (B/L) is the "Passport" of your cargo. A "Draft" is a preliminary version we send you to check for spelling errors before the final print.

1 Look for the Action Bar

On your Booking Details page, you will see a card labeled Documents Issued or a yellow Draft Approval alert. It contains options to preview, approve, or request amendments:

Draft Approval Required

Draft Bill of Lading (DRAFT-1783110362) is ready for review.

Preview PDF
To Download / Share:

Click Preview PDF. The document opens in a popup. Look for the Download Icon at the top-right of that popup to save it to your computer.

If there is a Mistake:

Click the white Request Amendment button. A form will appear:

Select Field: Consignee Address
Correction: Please change 'Road' to 'Ave'.
If it is Correct:

Click the Green Approve Draft button.
Warning: Once clicked, the document is frozen. Any changes after this may cost money.

Decoding Your Shipment Status

Never guess where your cargo is. Below is the full lifecycle map of a shipment. Use this legend to understand exactly what each status means and what you need to do to prevent delays.

1. Booking Confirmed (S/O Released)

Start

We have secured space on the vessel. The Shipping Order (S/O) is the "ticket" for your container.

YOUR JOB: Download the S/O PDF immediately. Send it to your truck driver so they can pick up the empty container.

2. Gate In (Terminal Entry)

Your loaded container has physically entered the port terminal. It is waiting to be loaded onto the ship.

CRITICAL: Ensure your driver returns the container BEFORE the CY Closing Date shown on your S/O. Late arrival = shipment rolled to next week (Extra Fees apply).

3. Export Customs Clearance

China Customs checks your documents to allow export. If "Released", your cargo is cleared for departure.

YOUR JOB: You MUST have submitted your Shipping Instructions (SI) and Packing List by now. Incorrect data = Customs Inspection (Delays + Costs).

4. Departure (On Board)

The vessel has left the port. Your Bill of Lading (B/L) is now official.

  • If you chose "Telex Release", the B/L is digital.
  • If you chose "Original", we will courier physical paper docs to you.
  • Tip: Pay the freight invoice now to get your B/L released instantly.

5. Arrival at Destination

The vessel has docked. The Carrier issues an Arrival Notice (A/N) via email.

YOUR JOB: Forward the Arrival Notice to your Clearing Agent immediately. They need this to start Import Customs.

6. Import Clearance & Duty

Authorities calculate Taxes & Duties based on your HS Code and Cargo Value.

  • Status "Pending": Documents under review.
  • Status "Cleared": You may now pick up the container.
  • Action: Ensure you pay the duty assessment slip promptly to avoid storage charges at the port.

7. Empty Return & Closure

The trucker delivers the goods to your warehouse, then returns the empty box to the carrier's depot. The cycle is closed.

1 Managing Value-Added Services (VAS)

During booking or any time post-booking, you can request Export Customs Declaration, Import Customs Clearance, or Cargo Transport Insurance. Operations will upload a price quote for your review.

Visual Guide: Service Quotations Panel
Export Customs Declaration
Quote Received: $150.00
Transport Insurance
✔ Approved: $75.00
ACTIVE
  • Quoted status: Shows the price defined by Operations. Click Accept to add it to your balance, or Decline to remove it.
  • Pending status: Operations is pricing the service with underwriters or local clearing brokers.

2 Printing Secured Shipping Marks & QR Labels

Once your Shipping Instructions (SI) are submitted, click Print Shipping Marks / QR in your booking actions bar. This compiles an industry-standard package label.

Features of the CALL Smart Label:

  • Anonymized Contact Protection: Telephone numbers and email addresses are automatically masked (e.g. ****-****) on the physical paper to protect cargo ownership data.
  • Secure Tracking QR: Generates a base64 encrypted QR code pointing directly to our system, allowing port handlers to scan and update transit milestones instantly.
Secured Label
ChinAfrika Logistics Limited
Shipper (Masked) SHANGHAI TRADE CO.
****-****
****@****.**
SECURE QR
POL: SHANGHAI
POD: MOMBASA

Understanding the State Machine Claims Flow

Should cargo sustain physical damage during maritime or multimodal transit, the claims workflow operates as a 3-step structured state machine directly synced with our legal division:

01
Initialize Form

Input settlement banking details and itemize the damaged goods with their estimated market value.

02
Upload signed docs

Print, physically sign, and stamp the generated PDF. Re-upload it alongside mandatory invoice and photo proofs.

03
Preview & Submit

Verify your uploaded documents side-by-side on our visual viewer, and log the official claim.

Step 1: Banking & Itemization Details

Clicking File Cargo Claim launches our claims wizard. Here, you are required to define your bank routing and SWIFT numbers for recovery payment.

wizard form preview
Agri Bank of China
09-10281...
AB0CCNBD090
Step 2: Signatures & Mandatory Evidentiary Files

Once you download the pre-filled PDF claim notice, physically sign and stamp it. Navigate back to the dashboard and upload the signed PDF along with mandatory documents:

  • Commercial Invoice: Establishes the official transactional purchase price of the damaged items.
  • Certified Packing List: Displays packing weights and dimensional parameters to verify damage location.
  • Damage Photographs: Legally valid photos showing container seals, broken packages, or wet cartons.
Step 3: Verification, Split Screen & Final Submission

Click Preview & Submit Claim. A split-screen previewer displays your uploaded claim notice alongside a checked list of your uploaded supporting invoices and photograph sets. Review and click Confirm & Submit Cargo Claim.

Officially Filed & Under Review (Stage 1) Claims Tracking System
OFFICIALLY FILED

We have received your signed Cargo Claim Notice. Our Legal & Claims Division is conducting a preliminary documentation audit on your packing lists and invoices.

Automated Support Ticket Integration

Upon clicking final submission, the platform bypasses the standard operations queue [5]. Our system automatically creates an urgent ticket under Support Requests (Category: billing) and routes all files to our legal division for fast tracking [5].

ST-SHG-2026-0705 URGENT
Cargo Damage Claim: BK-SHG-NBO-10492 Department: Billing & Claims

"An official Cargo Claim Notice has been submitted for booking reference: BK-SHG-NBO-10492... This ticket has been opened automatically as part of our Legal Claims Management Protocol."