Bonded storage
Duty deferred until removal. Goods remain under customs control and every movement is recorded.
WarehousingSpace and handling that
Space and handling that
follow the cargo.
Storage, inventory handling and dispatch planned as part of the supply chain, whether you need a short buffer or an ongoing distribution arrangement.
WarehousingStorageGeneral · Bonded
HandlingPick · Pack
ControlInventory records
DispatchDistribution
Warehousing & Value-Added Services
Cargo rarely goes straight from vessel to shelf. We arrange storage between legs, and handle the preparation work that needs doing before goods go out to your customers.
Bonded storage is worth understanding properly: it lets you defer duty until the goods actually leave the warehouse, which matters when you are importing a full container but selling it over months.
The numbers that matter
The difference between the two storage types is mostly about when you pay duty.
| Type | When duty is paid | Suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Bonded warehouse | When goods are removed from the warehouse | Large imports sold gradually; cash-flow sensitive stock |
| General warehouse | At import clearance, before storage | Goods moving out quickly |
| Cross-dock | At import clearance | Cargo changing vehicles without being stored |
Bonded storage does not remove duty, it moves when you pay it. For a container you will sell over six months, that timing difference can be worth more than the storage costs.
Bonded goods stay under customs control, so movements in and out are documented rather than informal.
What we handle
General storage
Racked, counted in and out, with stock figures that match what is actually on the floor.
Cross-docking
For cargo that only needs to change vehicles. It arrives, it is re-loaded, it leaves.
Preparation work
Labelling and relabelling, kitting, re-packing, and a quality look-over before dispatch.
Lanes we run
Where storage usually sits in the journey.
- At the port of arrivalBefore inland movementUseful when clearance will take time
- Inland, near the ICDAfter clearanceCloser to your distribution
- Near your premisesFinal stagingFor goods going out in batches
Which of these makes sense depends on where the duty timing and the handling cost land for your particular cargo. We will work it through with you rather than defaulting to one.
Documents involved
- Into-bond bill of entry
- Where goods are moving into bonded storage rather than clearing outright.
- Ex-bond bill of entry
- Filed when goods are removed from bond and duty becomes payable.
- Goods receipt note
- Confirms what physically arrived, against what was expected.
- Stock statements
- Issued on the agreed cycle so your records and ours match.
How a shipment runs
- 01Arrival
Cargo received, counted and checked against the packing list.
- 02Put-away
Stored and recorded, bonded or general as agreed.
- 03Holding
Stock visible to you, with movements documented.
- 04Preparation
Labelling, kitting or repacking as required before release.
- 05Dispatch
Released against your instruction, with duty settled first for bonded goods.
Questions we get
Is bonded storage worth the extra process?
It depends on how fast you sell. If a container clears and sells within weeks, probably not. If it sells across months, deferring the duty usually outweighs the additional handling.
How long can goods stay in bond?
There is a permitted period, and it can be extended in defined circumstances. We track it, because goods left beyond it become a problem rather than a cost.
Can you repack or relabel before delivery?
Yes. Labelling, relabelling, kitting, repacking and basic quality checks are all handled before dispatch.
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