Difference between Port of Discharge and Place of Delivery.

These terms are generally mentioned in sale contract of exporter and importer, shipping company who carries goods, and other related to shipping and freight forwarding. Let us learn these terms with simple example. Your overseas buyer situates far from discharge port. In every country, there are Cargo freight stations supervised and controlled by customs department of respective country. Once after arriving cargo at discharge port, you can arrange the carrier to move the cargo to your nearest freight station. You can complete the necessary import customs formalities at the said place. While contracting with the supplier, you need to specify the place of delivery. So, the carrier collects freight amount up to place of delivery and de-stuff cargo, where customs department functions. This arrangements are normally made by rail movement or road movement.

So ‘port of discharge’ means the discharging port of main carrier of goods. It can be by a vessel or flight. Once after unloading the cargo at port of discharge the importer can complete customs procedures at port of discharge or he can arrange to move the cargo to nearest freight station of his choice where customs department functions. Your carrier may arrange to move the cargo accordingly to the said place by road or rail.