Shipping has peak seasons that vary in different parts of the world. If you are shipping products from Asian countries such as china, The Philippines, Japan and others, you should try to beat the Chinese New Year when trading is at its peak. If you are shipping from American or European countries, you should use the peak period, which is right before major holiday seasons. During the holidays, factories shut down for weeks, resulting in a major delay in your shipment.
Make sure that you understand all the shipping fees. Even when you buy products and some of the vendors offer you free shipping you may incur some hidden charges. You should ask about the charges, payment plan, and any other fees that your shipment plan might attract. Make sure that you also understand the customs and regulations in your country when it comes to shipping, so that you do not have problems retrieving your shipment.
To avoid any misunderstanding with your cargo, make sure that you have all the required documents ready. Do your research and prepare all the paperwork related to that shipment. Advice your supplier accordingly so that he or she creates the necessary paperwork to help with a smooth shipment. Such documents include packing lists, receipts, bill of lading, invoices, legal permits, licenses, custom stamps, and many others.
Shipping containers should be prepared well to withstand extreme shipping conditions. They are subjected to extreme humidity, strong winds, subzero temperatures and sometimes flooding. They are handled manually at the port, hence they have to be in a good condition. Make sure that your shipping container is well prepared to protect your cargo from such conditions.
Organic cargo is tricky to ship since some of it has a short shelf life. It is important that you label your organic cargo well for smooth shipping. Failure to declare organic cargo can lead to losses. Your cargo can be delayed at the port, quarantined for testing, or even destroyed. Remember that any delays cause losses since the more time your cargo stays in the port the more charges you incur.
It is wise to insure your cargo no matter how much you trust your shipping company. From the time your cargo leaves its destination, it is handled by trucking companies, the port, warehousing companies, crane operators and many other people in between before it gets to you. It is important to insure your cargo to protect yourself against major losses.
This is a storage facility for goods not yet been bonded through Customs for legal entry into the country, but have arrived in the United States. Items can be in the warehouse for up to six months. They will auctioned, sold by the United States Government, or donated to charity, if the duties are unpaid or documentation incomplete after the six month storage,
A bonded warehouse, or bond, is a building or other secured area in which dutiable goods may be stored, manipulated, or undergo manufacturing operations without payment of duty. It may be managed by the state or by private enterprise. In the latter case a customs bond must be posted with the government.
By establishing a required delivery date that allows time to ship via ocean freight, versus air freight, you can keep your transportation costs reasonable. When shippers send their goods through the air, they will often pay a premium for the speedy service. Lower your transportation costs by planning your moves in advance and take advantage of competitive ocean freight rates.
Ex Works Costs (EWC) is a fundamental piece of all International freight shipping. The term refers to the price by which a seller – the supplier or manufacturer – makes goods available to the buyer, and the costs associated with this act. These costs can become complicated when duty rates and fees are applied. For example, the Ex Works Cost from a more distant part of the globe may be the least expensive. But when transportation and customs duty rates are added to the equation, the closer supplier with a higher Ex Works price is actually the better deal.
The lowest quoted price may not result in the lowest spending. If you find a forwarder who quotes a low, bare-bones price but does not explain all of the costs involved in shipping you may find yourself with a higher bill than anticipated. The relationship between a shipper and a forwarder should be collaborative. Proper screening and investigation of your prospective partners will result in a better overall experience.
Efficient packaging can cut down on the amount space and weight a product occupies on an aircraft. For transportation companies, space is the most valuable commodity. When you reduce your packaging down to the bare minimum it will take up less space, and give you the best price available for your goods. There are still some basic requirements and best practices for securing your product for shipment, but a good product and thoughtful package design can help your supply chain reach its most efficient state.
More cargo, less often. That’s the golden rule to keep air freight costs low. There are two main things to consider when pricing up a freight job: the distance and the weight of your shipment.
Supplier or manufacturer – makes goods available to the buyer, and the costs associated with this act. These costs can become complicated when duty rates and fees are applied. For example, the Ex Works Cost from a more distant part of the globe may be the least expensive. But when transportation and customs duty rates are added to the equation, the closer supplier with a higher Ex Works price is actually the better deal.
Consolidation services take small packages and bundle them together in the ‘spare space’ within other shipments. This is an ideal solution for any business that can’t avoid sending relatively small packages on a regular basis.
Rather than paying for your own, expensive, shipping space, you ‘fill in the gaps’ in another shipment, paying only for what you use. The company sending the larger shipment save money by not paying for empty space, and you get a great shipping cost.
To cut down on the amount you spend on shipping, don’t just keep using the same service. But it doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t shop around for a better price. Developing a relationship is more valuable than the short-term gains of looking at other providers. Talk to your regular provider about setting up an agreement which benefits you both in the long term.
You may be able to make a commitment to ship a set amount of goods each month, for example. If that’s the case, to ‘lock in’ that business for them, the courier service is likely to be able to negotiate with you on the price.