lines to perform the necessary transportation the shipping agent thus determines whether the transference is feasible if the transference is not feasible the procedure is ended if the transference is feasible in step s 512 the shipping agent sends relevant transference cost information to the shipper 39 s management information system 10 in step s 514 the transference sub module 1320 evaluates the transference cost information and determines whether to accept the transference cost information if the transference cost information is not accepted the procedure is ended if transference cost information is accepted in step s 516 the transference sub module 1320 sends a transference notice to the shipping agent for transference of the goods the shipper can use the transportation information searching sub module 1310 to search the shipping agent information system 30 for transportation information to search the container depot information system 50 for reports on inbound and outbound movement of goods and to search the distribution center information system 40 for real time stock information after delivery of the goods to the buyer the payment management module 140 of the shipper 39 s management information system 10 receives relevant invoices from the shipping agent information system 30 and from the carrier information system 60 the shipper 39 s management information system 10 processes transference payments according to the contents of the invoices in general the shipment management system and method of the present invention may take forms other than what is described above while the preferred embodiment for carrying out the invention has been described in detail those familiar with the art.