How shipments leave Jebel Ali — and what arrives with them.
Incoterms, ports, container loading, payment terms, and the document pack. Everything a buyer's compliance and finance team typically asks for in the first three emails — answered up front so we can spend the call on price and timing instead.
Three terms we trade on, plus what each one means in practice.
Most distributors work with us on FOB. Importers without an existing freight relationship typically prefer CIF. CFR sits between the two. We'll quote any of the three on request.
Free on Board · Jebel Ali
We deliver the goods on board the vessel at Jebel Ali. Risk transfers to the buyer once goods are on board. Buyer arranges and pays for freight, marine insurance, and destination port charges.
Cost · Insurance · Freight
We pay for cost of goods, marine insurance, and freight to the destination port. Risk transfers once goods are on board at Jebel Ali, but cost responsibility stays with us until destination.
Cost & Freight
We pay cost of goods and freight to destination port. Buyer arranges marine insurance separately. Risk transfers once goods are on board at Jebel Ali.
Routes we work regularly, lead times we hold.
Indicative transit times below assume direct routing. Transhipment can add 3–7 days. Lead times are vessel transit only — production lead time and document preparation are quoted separately.
| Region | Port | Country | Vessel transit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Africa | Abidjan | Côte d'Ivoire | 18–22 days | Regular routing via Las Palmas |
| West Africa | Dakar | Senegal | 16–20 days | Direct sailings monthly |
| West Africa | Tema | Ghana | 19–23 days | Often via Algeciras |
| West Africa | Lomé | Togo | 20–25 days | Hub for Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali transit |
| West Africa | Cotonou | Benin | 20–25 days | Transit hub for landlocked markets |
| Central Africa | Douala | Cameroon | 22–26 days | Common transhipment via Algeciras |
| Central Africa | Pointe-Noire | Congo | 24–28 days | Less frequent direct sailings |
| North Africa | Casablanca | Morocco | 12–14 days | Mediterranean transhipment |
| North Africa | Algiers | Algeria | 14–16 days | Transhipment via Marsaxlokk or Algeciras |
| Middle East | Jeddah | Saudi Arabia | 5–7 days | Direct, frequent sailings |
| Middle East | Sohar | Oman | 2–3 days | Short-sea, near-daily availability |
| Europe | Marseille | France | 10–13 days | Regular Mediterranean routing |
What fits in a container — and how we load it.
Mixed-SKU containers are standard. Single-category, single-SKU loads are quoted at slightly better unit economics. Container loading photos shared on request before vessel ETD.
How we load.
Standard practice is palletised loading on heat-treated wooden pallets, shrink-wrapped, with corner protection. For mixed-SKU containers, we organise by category for easy unloading at destination. Floor-loaded options (no pallets) on request — saves ~8% volume but adds unloading time at destination.
- Pallet sizing: 120 × 100 cm (Euro pallet), 1.6 m max height including pallet
- Stacking: Cartons stacked column-wise, not interlocked, for stability and easy count verification
- Sealing: Container sealed at facility with bonded seal number; recorded on packing list and BL
- Photos: Loading photos taken at facility and shared via email before vessel ETD
- Pre-shipment inspection: Available on request via SGS or Bureau Veritas (cost added to quote)
- Mixed loads: Up to 5 SKUs per 20ft, up to 10 SKUs per 40ft — beyond that, unit economics suffer
Standard structure on first contracts. Adjusts with relationship.
First-time partners typically work on advance + balance. As the relationship develops, we move to more flexible terms — L/C, partial credit, and consolidated invoicing for repeat distributors.
Advance + balance against documents
30% advance on PO confirmation. 70% against shipping documents (BL, invoice, packing list). Funds wired before BL release. Simple, clean, used on most first contracts under USD 50,000.
Letter of Credit (L/C)
Accepted on contracts above USD 50,000. Irrevocable and confirmed. We work with most major correspondent banks. L/C costs are typically split per Incoterm convention but can be negotiated.
Partial credit (after first 3 shipments)
For volume distributors with consistent ordering pattern, we move to a 30/40/30 structure (advance, on shipping, 30 days from BL date). Available after first three shipments paid clean and on time.
50% advance · 50% on shipping
Higher advance reflects the bespoke production commitment. 50% on PO confirmation (covers raw materials, can sourcing, plate production). 50% against shipping documents. Plates and dies stay with the facility for repeat orders.
What arrives with every shipment.
Shared with you before vessel ETD — not after demurrage. Each document either travels with the goods or is sent ahead so customs clearance starts on time.
Maark's stocked SKUs are ambient. No cold chain required.
The full canned-goods range — vegetables, tomato products, fish, fruits, sauces — is shelf-stable at ambient temperature. 36-month shelf life on most SKUs. No reefer container needed, no cold-chain logistics partner required.
If a future SKU requires cold chain, we'll set up a separate logistics flow with named refrigerated logistics partners and document temperature ranges per SKU. Not currently in scope.
Tell us the volume and the destination port.
Written quote within 48 hours, with the Incoterm, lead time, payment terms and document pack stated up front. Specific port not on the table above? Mention it — we'll come back with the realistic transit.