Hi, I have a question regarding import export business. Basically we
are agents for various companies and have recently expanded to
international markets. So, we prefer to have the manufacturer ship
directly to our international customer. The international customer
normally pays us in advance or sometimes by L/C. I need to know if
there are any ways (besides a transferable L/C which I know the
details of) to avoid the customer finding out about the supplier?
Someone mentioned that we can have us as the consignee but still have
the shipment send directly to customer and something about swtiching
the bill of lading. I'm not sure how all this works exactly so would
like to know from you how, if possible, we can have direct shipment
from manufacturer to customer without customer finding out about
source. We prefer not to receive shipment and re-export since too much
paperwork and duties involved.

Thanks!

Hello there, I am an international trade compliance specialist for a
major company here in usa. I come across this kind of situation many
times, but its not worth my time resolving this issue for $10. if you
are willing to pay $50, I would be more than happy to do 1 hour phone
consultation with you. Just to prove that I am credible, I will give
you some idea of whats involved in general export transactions :
Incoterms agreement, FCA means USPPI will be exporter. Ex works means
USPPI will route this transaction. This was just an example to prove
that I am competent in this area.

Greetings to both of you,
It is good to know that there is a solution to ndxb-ga's problem, but, 
zdream-ga, only Google Answers Researchers can post an answer and be paid.
Their user names appear in bright blue and are underlined (they can
also post comments).
You and I, zdream, can only offer our information for free.  You
probably know (FAQs) that direct contact and posting telephone numbers
or email addresses is also not allowed  (G-A will remove such
postings).

Sorry, but that's how it works here.
Regards, Myoarin

Oh Ok, thanks for letting me know. Sorry, didnt know how this site
worked. Thanks for educating me.

You need to look into mate-reciepts instead of bills of lading from
the supplier and get your shipping bill of lading from a shipping
agent representing yourself in the exporting country. Also, Avalized
Bills of Exchange or Avalized Promissory notes may be used as a
non-traceable (by the buyer/supplier) payment mechanism, in addition
to back to back L/Cs. You can substitute Invoice etc., but if other
documents like Certificates of Origin, Phytosanitary, etc. play a
large role in your importer's requirements...you will need a local
agent for getting substitute documents issued in your name...its quite
hard to comply and not cost-effective if you do not have large volumes
or your/your buyer's  documentation  requirement goes beyond the
transferable title to goods, such as the B/L, which is the case in
food products etc., asthe importing country often wants to trace
contaminations to their source.

Bills of lading can also be issued To order (of your bank) and
they/you can endorse them to anyone you want without getting the
supplier knowing the buyer, as this happens after you get the
documents. You are listed as buyer and notify party in bill of lading
and consignee section contains only two words "To Order"...exporter
endorses it to order of his bank which in turn endorses it to order of
buyers bank who subsequently endorses it to your favour and you to
favour of your buyer. Notify party can also be your agent who can
further notify your buyer, thus maintaining total secrecy.

Hope this helps. Google for terms you don't understand r ask your
shipping agent/bank.

With regards.
Sanjay.