Please  find a  range of useful and practical links to other web sites. The  links are provided in good faith but we do not accept any liability for  what they may say or offer.

Shipping Lines

Most Shipping Lines have web sites today, providing information on their  various services, and with an increasing number incorporating a cargo  tracking facility.The list below is not exhaustive, but includes most of the major Shipping Lines.

UK Government / Customs and Excise

The links below are  my subjective selection  of the comprehensive information available:

    
• Introduction to Imports and Exports 
  
• Shipping Terms - basic introduction from businesslink.gov.uk  
• Import and Export FAQ's    
• List of Forms    
• List of Public notices and info sheets     
• Rates / Codes and Tools    
• Duty Rates / taric Codes (EU Site)     
• UK Trade information    
• JCCC Papers- background information on changes to Customs regimes and procedures.    
• HMRC Library    
• EU Legislation (Useful search site IF you know what you are looking for).

Other UK Government

• BERR  - Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform    (The DTI re-incarnated -  a web site of hollow words. Whoever said Civil Servants don't have a sense of humour).
• DEFRA - Department of the Enviroment, Food, Regions and Agriculture. 
• DVLA - Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - information on Importing and Exporting Motor Vehicles (UK).    
• Maritime and Coastguard Agency    
• RPA - Rural Payments Agency 
• UK Department of Transport, Shipping and Ports.
• UK Forestry Commission - Phytosanitary and fumigation information for imports and exports.

Professional Bodies

ICS – (Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers)
BIFA – (British International Freight Association)

Other Useful

• ABP – (Associated British Ports) The UK’s largest port operator              
• Baltic Exchange
• Chamber of Shipping
• CNS – (Community Network services) Operate and manage the computerised  Inventory control systems in a number of UK ports such as Southampton.
• Destin8 – (Maritime Cargo Processing) Operates and manages the advanced  compterised inventory control systems at a number of UK ports such as  Felixstowe, Liverpool etc.. Can be used by all for basic cargo tracking.
• Felixstowe Port Users Association
  
• Harwich Haven Authority – Local marine information including notice to mariners
• International Association of Ports & Harbours
• Port of Felixstowe – Information on the UK’s largest container port - including haulier information and sailing schedules.
• Port of London (PLA)
• Southampton Container Terminal 
• Track-Trace.com - A very good general tracking system for leased containers, courier and airfreight consignments.  A potential life saver.           
  

Miscellaneous:

• Currency Converter/Exchange rates
• ZIP CODES - USA and Canada
  
• IMO (International Marine Organisations) The United Nations authority for marine standards and safety
• UK Met Office – Marine and world weather from the UK’s MetWeb site
• ShipAIS - watch the boats go by, track ships around the UK Coast
  
• Ship Photo Gallery