Many goods shipped overseas are easily packed into standard 40-foot or 20-foot shipping containers. Most of us have seen images of cargo ships laden with these shipping containers and don’t think much further on the matter. Freight shipping of standard containers can be relatively straightforward. For shipping bulky goods or heavy equipment, however, things can get a little complicated.

Transporting heavy equipment often requires specialised logistics and handling. In some cases, it may even require specialised vessels to manage the cargo. This means that there will be no standard shipping schedules, and longer than normal shipping times should be expected. The importance of speaking with freight specialists and developing a proper shipping plan should not be underestimated in these circumstances.

Heavy equipment shipping examples

There are many types of heavy goods for which special freight handling may be required. Anything that cannot be broken down into smaller components and packed into shipping containers can qualify.

Typical examples of heavy equipment shipping include;

• Mining equipment.
• Yachts, barges, and patrol boats.
• Large agricultural equipment.
• Wind turbines and parts.
• Earth moving equipment, construction equipment, and cranes.
• Heat Exchangers.
• Equipment used in many sorts of manufacturing.
• Trucks and large vehicles.
• Helicopters and aircraft parts.
• Components for space agencies.

Of course, there are many other possibilities for heavy goods that may need overseas shipping. If you are uncertain about what specialised logistics may be required, please contact us.

Considerations for heavy equipment transportation

At SPLS, when shipping specialised or heavy goods we always begin with one prime thought; start with the end in mind.

What is the goal? Know what it is you want to achieve.

First of all, be realistic with the time factor. Heavy shipping generally takes longer. There can be many more factors involved than with the shipping of more standard goods, and each takes time. Additionally, if an unusual type of vessel is required you will be limited by its availability.

Specialised logistics and planning is often needed, and each step of the journey should be covered;

A feasibility study.

Is it even possible to achieve the goal you have in mind?

Survey the route.

This is especially typical for road transportation and is often done as part of the feasibility study.

• What are the road gradients?
• Are there bridges or overpasses to contend with?
• Are there any road bends or other obstructions the load will have trouble passing?
• Will specially reinforced trucks be required?

Watch out for local standards.

Will these restrict the ability to transport certain goods? You may need to transport only at night,  avoid certain areas, or meet other conditions.

Permits and certifications.

Proper permits must be applied for and the conditions covered. These may include road escorts, extra insurance, or other factors.

Goods inspection and certification may be required.

For example, view some of the requirements for certification of imported agricultural heavy machinery to Australia.

Specialists and other personnel.

A whole range of contractors may be required, depending upon the project, and the goods themselves.

• Engineers.
• Water management professionals.
• Soil management and remediation.
• Crane operators.
• Specific goods handling professionals for certain cargoes.
• Road safety teams.
• Transportation escorts.

Cargo Insurance

Cargo insurance is a recommendation for any shipment, but even more so for heavy goods. Because of the often unique nature of the goods themselves and the additional factors and costs involved with their transportation, insurance is useful in protecting yourself against loss.

The cost of shipping heavy equipment overseas

Unfortunately, all the factors outlined above are usually going to increase the cost of shipping.

There are no standard pricelists for the shipping of heavy equipment as there are so many possible variables involved. Each shipment will be unique and will need to be examined in the context of the project.

How can SPLS help?

We are freight specialists with experience in shipping heavy goods and equipment.

SPLS can act as project managers for the entire process, from initial feasibility studies to the actual loading and unloading at origin and destination. We can organise and manage specialists and other personnel as required, and help get your equipment where it needs to be.

Contact us for a discussion of your project and how we can assist.

The post Shipping and Freight Handling for Bulky and Heavy Equipment appeared first on Air and Sea Freight Forwarding Logistics Specialists.

Whether operating an existing business or starting a new venture, if it involves the import or export of goods you are going to need international shipping. This is where a good commercial freight forwarder is extremely useful.

There are two ways you can go about arranging international freight shipping:

• Deal with a shipping company directly.
• Speak with a freight forwarding company (such as ourselves).

Whilst there are merits to both options, you might wonder why businesses don’t always approach the shipping companies directly? There are many good reasons.

Just like arranging a mortgage, you might approach a bank directly or go through a broker. The bank will only ever offer you its own products; the broker offers the freedom to choose the best products for your circumstances. So it is with freight forwarding.

Reasons to use a freight forwarder instead of a shipping line.

All shipping, of course, goes through the shipping lines eventually. There are many good reasons, however, to use a freight forwarding service as an intermediary.

Knowledge of many shipping routes and companies

A good freight forwarding company will know the sea shipping routes and shipping lines. They are able to select the most suitable or best shipping companies for the specific job at hand. If you go directly with a single shipping company, you are locked into what they offer only.

Understands the shipping industry

A freight forwarding agent understands the industry – they have to, as that is literally their job. When dealing directly with shipping lines, this may not necessarily be the case. You may be dealing with a junior or someone with limited knowledge. Your shipping forwarder will have spent years building their knowledge and experience of the shipping industry and can bring all this to your project.

Industry contacts

The top freight forwarders will have a diverse range of industry contacts throughout the world and within different shipping providers. This provides a number of benefits;

• The freight forwarder is not typically dealing with the consumer level or junior level staff of a shipping company.
• Queries can be dealt with more quickly by asking the people who are best qualified to answer.
• The freight forwarder can negotiate deals on your behalf with the most appropriate people.
• They know who to contact if things happen to go wrong. In these circumstances, time can be of the essence.

Global shipping rules and regulations

A forwarding agent understands variations in shipping rules and regulations across many different countries and regions. Additionally, experienced forwarding agents will usually have knowledge of on-the-ground processes and procedures, and be prepared to handle issues if they arise.

The ability to foresee potential difficulties, in many circumstances, is an effective method for avoiding extra cost and delay.

A specialist in your corner

Most importantly, a good sea freight forwarder is someone who is going to be on your side if unavoidable problems occur. Shipping delays can occur for many and varied reasons, including;

• Extreme weather events. These can be anything from hurricanes through to serious snowfalls which prevent normal working conditions.
• For example; there are some South American locations that are only accessible via river transport. During serious drought, there is not enough water flowing to allow shipping.
• Port closures due to industrial action or other reasons. Any port closures will require that alternative routes be found.
• Pandemics. Need more be said?
• Wars or other conflicts. Border closures or conflict danger can prevent cargo from being delivered in a timely manner, or at all.
• Piracy.
• Shipping accidents. A recent serious case was the blockage of the Suez Canal by the ship, Evergreen. This caused extreme delays for a wide range of international shipping.

Help you understand the requirements for international shipping

Importantly, a dedicated freight forwarding service can help you understand the risks and responsibilities of international cargo shipping. They can act as a freight consultant to assist you through the process with the least amount of stress and anxiety. They’ll help you get your cargo where it needs to be. Even better, they can develop long-term freight shipping plans, minimising uncertainty and helping you grow your business.

If you would like to speak with an experienced commercial freight forwarding service, give us a call on 02 9706 5996 or contact us through our online form.

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One of the most common questions we are asked is, “How much does international shipping cost?” Calculating international shipping charges can be an extremely complicated process as there are so many moving parts (often quite literally). This is one of the challenges freight forwarders can help solve.

Usually, when people think of international freight shipping they imagine a global network of co-ordinated organisations working together. Whilst in the broad sense this is, of course, true, the reality is much more confusing and fractured.

Each freight shipping company will have its own way of doing business; its own list of shipping charges and fees. There will be many fees that are standard, however, you may find elements on your shipping invoice you are not sure of. Some of these may simply be common shipping costs named differently to what you have seen before. Other times they will be something different entirely.

Additionally, each country in this global network of freight companies will have their own set of rules and regulations. There are some international conventions around freight shipping, however, many countries add their own sets of rules to these. Often these rules incur their own sets of charges – customs clearance fees, documentation fees, inspection fees and others.

Typical International Shipping Charges

If you are shipping goods internationally for import or export, or even relocating overseas, there are many costs involved. The cost of shipping will depend upon numerous factors;

• The type of goods to be shipped.
• The weight and volume of the goods.
• Shipping line schedules.
• The origin and destination countries (and ports).
• The timeframe required for a shipment to be transported.
• Random factors such as weather or geopolitical events.

The range of shipping fees and charges can seem overwhelming and confusing.

We’ll help break some of them down.

Packing expenses

It is important not to forget the basic expenses of preparing your shipment for export. Expenses such as packing materials can add a sizeable cost to transporting goods.

The other important aspect to remember is; time. Cost your time, and always remember to leave enough, both for shipment preparation and for the shipping itself. Not leaving enough time for various stages or freight shipping can become a costly mistake.

Similarly, if you are importing goods, don’t forget the time element of simply unpacking your shipment from the shipping container.

Especially in the world climate since Covid-19, gone are the days of “Just In Time” shipping.

Transportation costs (other than sea freight)

Other than the shipment of goods between ports, transportation needs to be arranged to move the goods to and from the ports themselves. This will be the transportation from the point of origin to the loading port and then again from the destination port to wherever the goods will be stored.

This will generally be road transport by trucks and can be a considerable expense in itself.

Port Fees

There can be a whole range of port-related fees that are charged. Sometimes they will be bundled together under a single label to reduce confusion.

Port fees can be charged at either end of the journey, i.e the port of origin and the destination port. Some of the typical fees charged include;

• Port Service Charges.
• Terminal Fees.
• Terminal Handling Charges.
• Port Service Fuel Surcharge.
• Documentation Fees.
• Bill of Lading (B/L) Fee.
• Terminal Weighing Fee.
• Vehicle Booking System Fee.
• Equipment Maintenance Charges.
• Hazardous Lodgement Fee.
• Port Storage Fees.

Whilst there are some expenses which are common across the board, each port may also have its own distinct set of services it will charge for. Even with common expenses, the specific naming of the fee or charge may differ.

Additionally, shipping fees and charges are controlled in some countries, such as in Australia, but not in others.

Welcome to the world of international shipping.

The Maze of International Freight Shipping

Shipping Line Fees

Freight costs are at the heart of shipping, however, as you can see they are only one of the number of charges and expenses payable.

Additionally, freight shipping fees have their own breakdown of costs plus additions and surcharges. Some of these will be standard whilst others will depend upon the origin, destination and route taken.

• Freight Charges.
• Bunker Adjustment Fee.
• Surcharges for Controlled Waterways such as canals.
• Low Sulphur Fuel (LSR) adjustments.
• Bill of Lading documentation fee. A separate fee to the B/L Port Fee.

Shipping or freight fees will also depend upon the routing of the shipment, so speak with you freight forwarder about this.

Customs Clearance and Inspections

Once a delivery arrives at the port of destination it will typically require clearance through customs before proceeding onwards.

There are a number of charges that are associated with customs.

• Customs Clearance Fee.
• Quarantine Charges.
• Inspection Fees.
• Customs Agent Fees.
• Customs Electronic Fee.
• ACS Compliance Fee.

Customs charges are related to the country of import and its laws. These charges are also often related to the contents of a shipment. For example, there will commonly be additional fees payable on shipments such as alcohol, tobacco, or animal origin products.

For some goods with a shorter shelf-life, it may be beneficial to pay priority inspection fees to expedite customs clearance.

Other Shipping Charges and Fees

There are other expenses or fees which are optional or are only charged under certain circumstances.

• Detention or Demurrage Fees (late fees for container returns to the shipping lines).
• Insurance
• Currency Adjustment Fees.
• Shipping Container Purchase.

The decision to buy a shipping container will depend upon the end destination as well as personal preference.

With regard to insurance, whilst we always recommend purchasing shipping insurance, the end choice is up the customer.

Why Use an International Freight Forwarder?

What is always vital when arranging international shipping is that all documentation and contracts are read and clearly understood. Ensure that you know what is included and more importantly, what is not included with a shipping quote. This way you can avoid costly and time-wasting surprises.

Freight forwarders, also known as a freight forwarding service or freight forwarding agent, can take the headache out of arranging international shipping. A freight forwarding service will understand the complexities of international shipping. They will make recommendations for getting your shipments delivered as smoothly as possible.

Whilst there are numerous freight forwarding companies around the world, here at SPLS we believe we’re one of the best. Our breadth of knowledge, experience, freight industry contacts and personalised service all help to navigate you through the rough waters of international freight shipping.

Contact us now for a shipping quote.

The post What are the Fees, Charges and Costs of International Shipping? appeared first on Air and Sea Freight Forwarding Logistics Specialists.

Calculating freight costs when importing or exporting can be a daunting task. Not only that, but they can also have a considerable impact on the final price of goods that are being transported.

Some of the questions raised when trying to calculate shipping and freight costs are;

• What goods am I transporting?
• Which method of shipping will be best?
• What sort of shipping containers do I need?
• How much of my goods will fit into a shipping container?
• How are the freight cost calculations made?

We’ll try to answer some of those questions here.

International Shipping Methods – Post, Couriers, Air and Sea.

As a general rule of thumb, it is worthwhile arranging your own shipping when you are transporting considerable amounts of goods overseas.

The following provides an overview of the methods of shipping and weights when determining freight costs;

• Less than 30kg – Standard Post is likely to be the best option.
• 30-100kg – Couriers are able to consolidate smaller shipments which makes them more cost-effective for this range of shipping weights.
• 100-250kg – Air freight.
• Over 250kg – Sea freight.

Typically, smaller shipments will attract a premium to the cost of freight (as a per kg rate). Regardless of the shipment size there is always a certain amount of paperwork and time input required. The underlying costs of any shipping are spread out over larger loads.

Freight Costs – Weight vs Volume

When shipping sea freight, the minimum chargeable volume is 1 cubic metre (cbm). The is the equivalent to a box which is 1 metre wide x 1 metre deep x 1 metre tall.

Secondly, whether freight costs are calculated on the weight or the volume will depend upon what is being shipped. For example, 1 cbm of feathers would weigh around about 10kg whereas 1 cbm of metal ingots could easily weight over 1000kg.

Each carrier will have a standard weight to volume baseline that they calculate from, i.e. 1 cbm is equivalent to 186kg. Anything weighing less than this will be calculated by the volume it takes up. Anything over this baseline will be calculated by weight.

A crate of metal ingots would be charged by weight even if they took up only a small volume. Similarly, a container load of pillows and bedding would be charged as a full container volume even though they don’t weigh very much.

When dealing with mixed loads, this can sometimes be used to your advantage by averaging out heavier goods with lighter ones.

Packing Your Shipping Containers

Knowing your goods and having an idea of both their volume and overall weight can help you manage your shipping choices better. You will be able to work out which capacity you need as well as how to pack shipping containers more efficiently.

For more information and choices regarding your shipping needs, come and speak with us at SPLS freight forwarding. We can help with all your import and export requirements.

The post Calculating Freight Costs For International Shipping appeared first on Air and Sea Freight Forwarding Logistics Specialists.

Free On Board, typically shortened to FOB, is a common shipping and sales term.

Free On Board refers to a type of agreement between the exporter (shipper or seller) and the importer (buyer or consignee). The exporter is responsible for the delivery of the goods to the shipping line or freight consolidator. At that stage responsibility and liability are transferred to the importer.

There can be many costs involved with international shipping. It is important to clearly understand what charges will be included with the price of goods purchased (or sold). You can then be aware of what charges are your responsibility (or may become your responsibility).

When FOB is not FOB.

In the case of FCL (full container load), strictly speaking, the exporter is responsible for all the pre-shipment cartage, port costs and export documentation.

In the case of LCL (less than container load) cargo, often the exporter will simply deliver to the nominated export consolidation depot. They believe that is the end of their responsibility. But what about any export documentation, export Customs clearance and port charges?

Exporter and consignee’ expectations of services and costs can differ quite dramatically. This often leaves the freight forwarder or freight consolidator in the middle of the two, “holding the bag”.

As part of any price and service negotiations, it is imperative that all parties know who is paying and being responsible for what.

It is very common for the sale terms to be Free On Board. The exporter then thinks the buyer is responsible for the payment of the ocean freight and transit insurance. This is not always the case.

Who is Responsible For Freight Charges With Free On Board.

Regardless of when or where the ocean freight is paid, the fee is earned by the shipping line as soon as the cargo is loaded onboard the vessel.

If for any reason, the consignee doesn’t pay, the ocean carrier has every right to claim charges from the exporter. This not only refers to the freight costs but destination port, handling, storage and disposal/return costs.

Why Might Shipping Charges Not Be Paid?

There can be numerous reasons why the buyer or consignee may refuse to pay shipping costs or other fees. Factors include;

• Supply delays making the cargo worthless.
• Changes in government rules and restrictions.
• Containers falling overboard and not arriving at the destination.
• Weather delays/events.
• Disagreements over supposed cargo quality.
• Financial standing of the purchaser.
• Any number of other unforeseen reasons.

The end result is, you might have to pay when you think you don’t. It is important to be aware of what every transaction includes and what cheap shipping may really be costing you.

A Case Study of Free On Board – The Risks and Outcomes

This case study is about a business that consequently became a customer of ours after the following situation. It highlights some of the risks associated with FOB terms

• They (the seller/exporter) shipped a container of mixed foodstuffs from here to another country on FOB terms.
• The purchaser refused to take delivery of the cargo citing that one of the products was not up to specification.
• There were some heated discussions between the seller and the supposed buyer. Whilst the real reason they would not take delivery of the container is only conjecture, the end result was the same. This seller had a container of product in another country that was not going to be paid for.
• The seller had already purchased the goods in Australia and had arranged the shipping as per the supposed purchaser’s requirements. They were then stuck with a container load of product in another country.
• Because the goods had already been transported, the shipping line then came back to the seller demanding freight payment in accordance with their terms and conditions.
• Whilst this was going on, the container at destination continued to accrue enormous storage charges. As a result of the supposed consignee’ actions, the goods were finally disposed of in the other country. All of this was at the seller’s expense.

What made the situation more difficult is the time-sensitive nature of the goods (being foodstuffs). It was not a viable option to even return them or ship them onwards to another buyer.

Unfortunately, this was an expensive lesson to learn for the exporter. Their earlier choice to use us as a freight forwarder could have saved them substantial money and stress.

Know Your Shipping Terms and Conditions

It is vital to understand the full conditions of FOB terms as these can vary considerably from one agreement to another. We can assist with this.

Even just knowing common acronyms and shipping terminology can help immensely. Knowing the shipping terms and conditions clearly will help you avoid uncertainties or misunderstandings.

Whilst the above situation and other similar are not common, the expense and impact on your business can be immense. Understanding the shipping terms and protecting against them is important (which is where we come in). Getting appropriate freight insurance cover would also be a good step.

International freight shipping can be complicated, but it doesn’t need to be hard. If you are a business that imports or exports goods and want peace-of-mind, come and speak with us. You’ll sleep easier.

The post Free On Board / FOB – what does this shipping term mean? appeared first on Air and Sea Freight Forwarding Logistics Specialists.

Shipping insurance is there to protect you when the unexpected happens. Most importantly, good freight insurance is there to limit your loss when something goes badly wrong.

Whilst this issue is frequently raised and you may already know something about it, we believe that insurance is one of the most important elements of freight shipping. Many companies still fail to take our cargo insurance when shipping containers of valuable products overseas.

It is worthwhile investigating the benefits and also to do your due diligence into the requirements should anything happen with your shipment. Most people think that if the cargo is damaged or lost, then a simple call to the insurance company will fix the problem. Unfortunately, in most cases things are not that simple.

The Real Costs of Avoiding Freight Insurance

If something bad happens and the cargo is not insured, then the shipper stands to lose the value of the sale – including any profit.

Alternatively, what happens if the cargo is considered damaged or faulty? A protracted argument could ensue leaving all parties with a bad taste in their mouth. If not handled well, this can lead to the business relationship faltering between the buyer and seller. Not only the loss of a single shipment but a hard-earned customer gone in a flash!

There is another situation not often considered by less experienced shippers. What if the vessel itself suffers damage or loss from something like a fire or rough weather? This can lead to the shipping company calling “general average”. This means that all the cargo owners will have to pay a percentage of the costs of this damage and/or loss! Basically, as the shipper, you can end up covering the cost of repairs to the ship. Your potential liability extends beyond the costs of your own goods and freight charges.

Furthermore, what if it’s something as seemingly simple as the cargo being abandoned at the destination? Or some sort of government embargo or some other unforeseen occurrence? As the shipper, you are liable for all costs up until the consignee takes responsibility for the shipment.

This can involve covering all holding costs, inspection fees, and even disposal costs if the cargo is not claimed. Will you be happy paying for shipping charges that otherwise would and should have been paid by your customer, whilst not getting paid at all for your export invoice?

Avoid the Risk of Not Having Marine Cargo Insurance

Our advice is; don’t skimp on your freight insurance and leave yourself or your business open to any surprises and financial liabilities. As with any form of insurance, it is protecting against the unexpected events that can cause great financial cost to your business.

Always read the terms and conditions of any shipping line, freight forwarder, transport company or Customs Broker. Know the responsibilities of any other stakeholders or suppliers in your supply chain that you deal with. Make sure that your insurance covers you for even the most unlikely of scenarios.

Freight insurance is only one of the issues typically overlooked when businesses search for (supposedly) cheap freight. There are many other associated risks of cheap freight worth considering before you choose a shipping company or freight forwarder. Know what you are paying for in advance and you won’t be unpleasantly surprised.

We are freight specialists with shipping insurance experience

SPLS offer support with specialised logistics and freight services including marine cargo insurance. We have extensive knowledge and experience with freight logistics to many countries around the world and especially Oceania and Asia.

If you are planning to import or export goods via ocean freight, come and speak with us first. A simple conversation could save you great expense.

The post Dangers of Not Having Marine Cargo Insurance appeared first on Air and Sea Freight Forwarding Logistics Specialists.

Very simply, freight forwarding is the process of shipping goods from one place to another. A freight forwarder is a company that can help arrange this transport of goods between your desired locations.

This can be from door to door, or any points in between (commonly called the supply chain).

Freight forwarding companies can provide both international and domestic freight services. In the case of SPLS, we provide international freight forwarding services only, unless it is domestic transport as part of an international shipment.

A Short History of Freight Forwarding

Freight forwarding had its origins in Europe, with the movement of cargo predominantly by road freight between countries. International freight forwarding companies have been around since cargo was first carried by ships and aircraft. This only really started to become an industry in Europe in the 1970s, and the rest of the world, including Australia, in the 1980s.

As the world has become closer and tighter in terms of communications and general growth, so has the freight forwarding industry developed. Today, there are a number of global freight forwarders who have offices and staff all over the place, or you can deal with small niche type companies (like us) who can provide you with more focused and personalised services.

We believe that the personal touch and relationship of a smaller company is always a great way to go, however, it is a matter of individual preference.

Dealing With Freight Forwarding Companies

Doing business with a freight forwarding company (also known as a freight forwarding agent) is simply like doing business with any other customer or supplier.

By understanding options, processes and potential pitfalls, the freight forwarder can save you an awful lot of time, headaches and cost. Of course, you can try to arrange this yourself, but you would have to navigate your way around customs, quarantine, trucking, terminal, air or shipping lines, documentary requirements and more. There are these and any number of other complexities that are part of what you pay a freight forwarder to arrange and deal with.

As international business has grown, so has the complexity of the services provided by the freight forwarding industry. And, now, many freight forwarders use the word “logistics” to cover the entire gamut of freight forwarding services. Particularly since every international transaction requires more than one mode of transport.

A typical transaction could be road/air or sea/road. There may be transportation requirements at either end, other than the primary Sea or Air shipping.

Further to that, there are Customs requirements at both ends, terminal or depots both ends, quarantine and documentary issues, and foreign currency transactions. All these are an addition to actually negotiating and arranging the freight itself.

Basically, you need to define your freight requirements, and then find a company who can give you the service that you want.

International Shipping – Items to Consider

It is most important that the freight forwarder you choose is familiar with services and processes at both ends of the supply chain. This way they can appropriately discuss rates and transport options. We have over 30 years experience in the industry and have built connections around the world in order to provide you with a wide range of options for your shipping.

It stands to reason, that the services you require will be commensurate with your customer or supplier requirements. Different costs will relate to different modes of transport.

In Australia, all international freight services will, of course, include some form of air or sea freight.

International courier services are ideal for smaller packages and almost always provide a complete door to door service.

Airfreight is mostly used for urgent cargo where cost becomes a secondary consideration to the overall transaction. Freight forwarders can offer a direct airline service on most days and airlines. Alternatively. they can often offer an airfreight consolidation service on certain routes and days that can be cheaper than a direct airline service.

Sea freight will invariably take longer. There are often direct port to port services, eg Sydney to Singapore. Some origins and destinations are only serviced on a trans-shipment basis. This is where there is no direct service and a shipment will need to be dropped at an intermediary port. This will add to the overall shipment times. In some cases, there is a choice between direct or transshipment services.

The range of shipping options all have different costing structures. You need to discuss these time and cost options with your freight forwarder.

Bigger ships. Faster Aeroplanes. As technology and infrastructure develops, so will the international freight forwarding service. And, as does this, so will the efficiencies and cost benefits to importers and exporters.

SPLS – The Sea Freight Specialists

At SPLS, we are freight specialists on everything to do with shipping cargo internationally by sea. Whether you are importing/exporting, relocating business assets or moving to another country, we can help.

Speak with us for a personalised service arranging your shipping requirements.

The post An Introduction to the Freight Forwarding Industry appeared first on Air and Sea Freight Forwarding Logistics Specialists.

You would think that this is common sense, but the number of times I get someone asking something like “can you please give me a rate from China to Australia” or something similar…  

The obvious questions are for

• what
• how
• when

But there are a few more things to consider.

So, a check list should also include:

• From and to where do you want to send your goods? Country to country means nothing. Most countries have any number of ports, and rates can vary dramatically to or from different ports in the same country.
• What are the purchase or sale terms? (And do I understand what these mean and who should be responsible for what?) Depending on the purchase or sale terms, you will probably need to ask or provide more information.
• What actually is it that I want sent?
• What are the package dimensions and weights?
• Are any of the goods hazardous or questionable? Do I need hazardous declarations or at least Material Data Safety Sheets?
• Do I need transit insurance? (Please note that in general this is not covered by the transport company, the carrier or freight forwarder)
• What is my time frame or urgency for getting the goods from one place to the other?

You see a freight rate is not necessary a standard amount.  Yes – we have standardised rates which apply to cargo – but these are the base building blocks from which to begin – the end rate is dependant upon numerous factors as outlined above.

Keep this in mind next time you go hunting for a freight rate – a price is not necessarily an ‘all in’ price.

And remember – customer service is priceless and that is a no cost extra!

Regards, Mark Salmon.

The post Do you want a freight rate? For an accurate sea or air freight rate – think about the following questions… appeared first on Air and Sea Freight Forwarding Logistics Specialists.