When the departure slip is received from the portbilling clerk, the invoicing clerk
checks the agents’ schedule folder to see if an agents’ schedule has been received for
that visit. Previously, on arrival, the ship’s captain should have sent an agents’
schedule to the invoicing clerk. The agents’ schedule indicates which items local
agents have agreed to pay and therefore are liable for. The invoicing clerk goes
through all items on the portbill and allocates some or all of these to the various
agents on the list. Anything not allocated remains the responsibility of the client.
At the end of the week, the invoicing clerk prints off all invoices which are now due
to be paid. Some go to agents; others to clients