Last updated 30 April 2026IATA CASS + DGR certified forwarder

How we complete air and ocean freight shipments from inquiry to delivery

A good shipment is not only a price and carrier name. It is a controlled process: pickup, documents, customs clearance, packaging, marking, photo evidence, the right partner and clear communication at every handover.

Author: Unicore Overseas SIA operations team

International freight forwarder in Riga with IATA CASS and IATA DGR certification, 20+ years of experience and agency coverage in more than 110 countries.

IATA CASS + DGR

air cargo certification

20+ years

in international logistics

110+

country partner coverage

Shipzy.ai #1

Latvia forwarder ranking

Short answer

We start with accurate cargo data, Incoterms, documents and risk screening.
For air freight, packaging, marking, labeling, security screening and AWB data are critical.
For ocean freight, we also manage containers, cut-offs, VGM, port charges and destination release.
Blind shipping, neutral shipping and cross-trade require strict document and communication control.
Our agency network, Shipzy.ai and 20+ years of experience help us choose the right partner for each task.

Quick comparison table

Solution	When to use it	Critical control	Related service
Air freight	Urgent, valuable, time-sensitive or special cargo.	Packaging, AWB labels, security screening, customs data.	Air freight
Ocean freight	FCL, LCL, larger volumes, lower cost per kg or m3.	Container, VGM, cut-off, bill of lading, port charges.	Ocean freight
Cross-trade	Cargo moves between two countries but is coordinated from a third.	Neutral documents, agent communication, partner selection.	Freight forwarding

Air freight

For fast, valuable, time-sensitive or special shipments where readiness for carriage, AWB data and security processing must be exact.

Ocean freight

For FCL, LCL and project cargo where the outcome depends on container choice, cut-off discipline, port charges and destination release.

Cross-trade and neutrality

We work in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and worldwide, including blind shipping, neutral shipping and third-country shipments.

Air freight process

In air freight, the most important work happens before the flight. For chargeable weight, see our air freight cost guide, and for a typical AWB journey see the complete air cargo shipment guide.

1. Inquiry, cargo data and Incoterms

Before pricing, we confirm commodity description, HS code, weight, dimensions, pieces, cargo-ready date, pickup and delivery addresses, Incoterms and special requirements. Errors are cheap at this stage; after booking they can change the price, routing or airline acceptance.

2. Pickup and shipment readiness

We coordinate pickup time with the shipper, check warehouse access, working hours, forklift needs and whether the cargo is ready for carriage. When needed, we help with repacking, pallet choice or securing fragile cargo.

3. Packaging, marking, labeling and photos

Air cargo packaging must survive handling, vibration, pressure and temperature changes. We check marks, labels, AWB labels, special handling marks, dangerous goods labels and take photos when the operation needs a quality record or dispute prevention.

4. Export customs and security process

Once documents are checked, we prepare export declarations or transit documents, screen sanctions and dangerous goods risks, submit eAWB data and coordinate handover to the handling agent. Cargo is weighed, measured and screened before flight build-up.

5. Transit, import and delivery

We monitor flight status, transit transfer and arrival notice. At destination, our agent coordinates import customs clearance, warehouse release and final delivery to the door or consignee warehouse.

Ocean freight process

Ocean freight moves slower, but every missed detail can become expensive at the port. For context, see our container guide, FCL vs LCL comparison and sea freight cost guide.

Ocean step 1

1. Choosing FCL, LCL or project cargo

We compare full container load, less than container load and project cargo options by volume, weight, risk, deadline and cost. The right choice starts with cargo cube, packaging, stackability and destination requirements.

Ocean step 2

2. Booking, sailing schedule and cut-offs

After routing is chosen, we book space with a carrier or consolidator, check sailing schedules, document cut-offs, container gate-in deadlines, port working hours and likely transhipment points.

Ocean step 3

3. Loading, VGM and documents

For FCL, we organize empty container release, loading, securing, seal control and VGM. For LCL, we coordinate delivery to the consolidation warehouse, measurement, marking and master or house documentation.

Ocean step 4

4. Export, port charges and bill of lading

We check commercial invoice, packing list, export declaration, bill of lading, certificates and local port charges. This reduces the risk of cargo missing the vessel or being held because of documents.

Ocean step 5

5. Destination release and container return

At destination, the agent coordinates import customs clearance, terminal charges, delivery, unloading and empty container return to avoid demurrage and detention costs.

Packaging, marking and photo control

Packaging

We check whether cartons, pallets or containers are fit for real transport handling, not only warehouse storage.

Marks and labels

We align shipping marks, AWB or container labels, dangerous goods marks and neutral shipping restrictions.

Photo evidence

Photos before handover help prove cargo condition, packaging, seal, labels and loading.

Blind shipping, neutral shipping and cross-trade

Many forwarders can move cargo from point A to point B, but not every forwarder is ready to manage a commercially sensitive chain. In these shipments, errors in documents, labels or emails can reveal the supplier, final buyer or pricing structure.

Blind shipping

The shipper and consignee do not see the full commercial chain. We control what may appear on documents, labels and notifications.

Neutral shipping

Cargo moves under a neutral forwarder or agent identity to protect supplier, buyer or intermediary relationships.

Cross-trade

The shipment moves between two countries but is coordinated from Riga. This is useful when the customer has no trusted local agent or needs neutral control.

How we achieve this

Unicore works through agency partnerships in more than 110 countries and combines that network with experience across airlines, ocean carriers, warehouses and customs brokers. That lets us execute not only Baltic shipments but also third-country routings where cargo never enters Latvia.

We use Shipzy.ai as an additional tool to compare routes, partner ratings and fit for a specific operation. The tool helps narrow the choice faster, while our operations team still validates the final execution plan.

The partner is chosen for the task

Some shipments need the fastest air connection, others need a neutral agent, and others need a strong ocean import team at destination. We do not use one solution for every case.

Shipment examples

Cross-trade air

Questions and answers

Can Unicore arrange blind shipping or neutral shipping worldwide?

Yes. We arrange blind and neutral shipments in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and worldwide through our agency network. We align shipper, consignee, document, label and communication rules before pickup so commercial relationships remain protected.

What is cross-trade freight forwarding?

Cross-trade is a shipment between two countries where the freight forwarder coordinates the move from a third country. For example, Unicore can arrange Budapest to Istanbul air freight from Riga without the cargo entering Latvia.

What do you check before air freight pickup?

We verify dimensions, gross weight, commodity, HS code, Incoterms, cargo-ready date, packaging condition, labels, photo evidence, dangerous goods status, security requirements and whether export or import customs clearance is needed.

What is different in ocean freight execution?

Ocean freight adds container selection, VGM, port cut-offs, booking validity, carrier schedules, demurrage and detention control, export documentation, customs clearance, destination charges and container return planning.

How does Shipzy.ai help with shipment execution?

Shipzy.ai helps us compare routes and partner performance so we can choose agents with relevant lane experience, ratings and handling capability for a specific task. It complements our human agency relationships rather than replacing operational checks.

Do you provide photos of the shipment?

Yes, when the operation requires it. Photos of packaging, marks, labels, cargo condition, palletization or container loading help prevent disputes and give the customer a clear record before handover.

Planning an air, ocean or cross-trade shipment?

Send the cargo data once, and we will check routing, documents, customs requirements, packaging and the most suitable partner.