1. Sourcing and Pre-Booking Inspection
Material is sourced from collection yards, demolition contractors, manufacturing waste streams and authorised dismantlers across the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France. Before any material is committed to an export booking, it passes an internal yard inspection: grade verification, foreign-attachment check, density estimate and moisture screening.
Once material passes internal checks, the buyer typically nominates SGS, Bureau Veritas or Cotecna for third-party pre-shipment inspection. The inspection certificate confirms grade, weight, packing and the absence of prohibited items (closed containers, radioactive sources, free liquids).
2. Container Booking and Loading at Rotterdam
Containers are booked with a shipping line (typically MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM or Hapag-Lloyd) for a sailing window from Rotterdam. Empty containers are released from a depot, trucked to the loading yard, stuffed, sealed and returned to the port terminal.
Loading photos, container numbers, seal numbers and tare/net/gross weights are recorded in the packing list. A representative sample of containers is opened by the inspector at the port before sealing.
3. Customs Pre-Notification and Annex VII
All non-hazardous scrap shipments leaving the EU under the Green List (Annex III of EU Regulation 1013/2006) require an Annex VII movement document signed by the exporter and the consignee. The document accompanies the cargo and is presented to customs at both ends.
Country-specific pre-notifications may also apply: BIS approval in India, Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) by CIQ in China, SASO in Saudi Arabia, KEBS in Kenya. Compliance is handled by the exporter as standard.
4. Ocean Freight and Transit Times
Indicative Rotterdam-to-destination transit times in 2026: Nhava Sheva 24–28 days, Mundra 22–26 days, Haiphong 33–38 days, Qingdao 36–42 days, Mersin 18–22 days, Jebel Ali 18–22 days, Dar es Salaam 28–34 days, Houston 18–22 days, Manzanillo (MX) 22–26 days. Add 3–7 days for transhipment via Algeciras, Singapore or Tanger Med.
Marine cargo insurance under Institute Cargo Clauses (A) is included in CIF terms and protects 110% of invoice value against accident, loss or general average.
5. Documentation Pack
Standard document pack: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading (original 3/3 or telex release), Annex VII, certificate of origin (EUR.1 or non-preferential), SGS inspection certificate, weight certificate and a beneficiary's certificate referencing the LME pricing period when applicable.
Letter of Credit shipments require the document set to match the LC terms exactly; any discrepancy delays payment. Telegraphic Transfer (T/T) shipments are documented identically but on a more flexible bank timeline.
6. Discharge, Customs Clearance and Smelter Delivery
On arrival, the consignee or their CHA (Customs House Agent) presents the original bill of lading (or telex release), Annex VII and import-permit copies. Customs examination is typical for first shipments, then risk-based thereafter. Containers are released to road or rail for delivery to the smelter.
At the smelter, a final discharge weight and visual grade check is performed. Any deviation against the inspection certificate triggers an immediate joint review and, where warranted, a credit note — Nautica Metal Scrap B.V. handles disputes in writing within 5 working days.