What was the requirement?
The original plan was an LCL shipment, but the buyer had no clearance-capable consignee in Cuba and lithium batteries classified UN 3480 cannot travel as general cargo: they need prior dangerous-goods acceptance from the carrier.
What did the customer need?
- Establish a consignee able to complete import clearance in Cuba
- Obtain carrier acceptance for UN 3480 lithium batteries before booking
- Prepare dangerous-goods documentation that matches the actual packing
- Load and secure high-value equipment and record the condition before sealing
What was the plan?
The unworkable LCL plan was declined rather than shipped, and the cargo was transferred to a Cuban trading business with real clearance capability. The shipment was converted to a full container, battery documents were prepared (safety data sheet, UN 38.3 test summary, dangerous-goods declaration and packing certificate), carrier acceptance was secured, and the container was loaded with blocking and bracing under photo record.
What was the timeline?
- Route and consignee review: The original LCL plan was assessed as unworkable because no clearance-capable consignee existed.
- Mode change to FCL: The cargo was converted to a full container so it could be secured and documented as one unit.
- Dangerous-goods documentation: Safety data sheet, UN 38.3 test summary, DG declaration and packing certificate prepared and checked.
- Carrier acceptance: Dangerous-goods acceptance obtained from the carrier before the booking was confirmed.
- Loading and departure: Loaded with blocking and bracing and recorded by photograph before the container was sealed.
How was the cargo handled in the warehouse?
- Received and checked the cargo against the packing list
- Supervised container loading with blocking and bracing
- Photographed the loaded condition before sealing
What exceptions came up?
Because the original LCL plan could not be cleared legally in Cuba, the shipment was restructured before dispatch rather than being loaded and stopped at destination.
What does the shipment record show?
Photographs and footage recorded during this shipment.
What was the result?
The shipment sailed on 16 January and arrived in Cuba on 20 March, 63 days port to port, and arrived safely. The same customer placed a further full-container booking for general cargo.
Verified figures
- UN 3480
- FCL
- 63 days port to port
Customer identity and commercial details are anonymized unless publication was explicitly authorized. Reviewed by Helen Peng · 2026-09-16.