Inland haulage for tiles is the road leg that takes a loaded container from the factory in Morbi to the export port, usually Mundra or Deendayal (Kandla). On FOB terms the factory or its forwarder arranges it, and on ex-works terms you do.
It is short compared with the sea voyage, but it is where cargo is first exposed to jolts, weight checks, delays and paperwork problems.
How does the road leg work?
The steps usually run in this order:
- The forwarder collects an empty container from a depot and brings it to the factory.
- The factory loads the tiles, and the container is sealed.
- A truck takes the loaded container to the port, where it must gate in before the cut-off for the vessel.
- The port scans or inspects the container if selected, and then stacks it for loading.
For distance and timing, see how long it takes to get tiles from Morbi to the port. For the port choice, see Mundra or Kandla for Morbi exporters.
What are the truck and container options?
Tile containers are heavy, so haulage is arranged around weight. Trucks must stay within the legal axle and gross weight limits for Indian roads, and the loaded container weight on the bill must be accurate. A 20 ft container is the usual size, as explained in 600x1200 tiles per container.
Some cargo may move by rail to a dry port instead. Whether that suits you depends on timing and the lines serving the port, so ask your forwarder.
What can go wrong between factory and port?
Most trouble is preventable if someone is watching:
- The empty container arrives dirty, damaged or with a wet floor, and loading goes ahead anyway.
- The tiles are loaded badly, so the cargo shifts during the road leg.
- The truck misses the gate cut-off and the container is rolled to a later vessel.
- The declared weight differs from the actual weight, causing a hold or a fine.
- Documents are not ready when the container reaches the port.
The first two are why loading should be supervised. See container loading for tiles.
Who is responsible?
Responsibility follows the price term. Under FOB, the seller delivers the goods on board the vessel and carries the risk until then. Under ex-works, you take the goods at the factory gate and carry the risk of the road leg. FOB, CIF or DAP explains the choice. Make sure insurance cover starts when your risk starts. See insurance for tile shipments.
How do you keep the road leg on schedule?
Agree the loading date and the gate-in cut-off in writing, and add a buffer between them. Ask the forwarder to confirm the empty container pick-up and the truck booking a few days before loading. A container that reaches the port after the cut-off is moved to a later vessel, which can delay delivery to you by a week or more.
Next step
We check the empty container, supervise loading and follow the container to the port. To plan your first shipment, book a free sourcing review.