International Forwarding Association Blog » International freight forwarding
International freight forwarding
International shipping can be a complex process due to factors such as time zones, language barriers, and regulatory and customs compliance. This is especially true for businesses that are new to importing and exporting. One of the main decisions they should make is whether to work with a global or local logistics provider. While global operators have more resources and manpower as well as extensive networks, using a local freight forwarder also offers a number of benefits. From local expertise and personalized support to greater flexibility and faster response times, here are some benefits to pairing with a local logistics… Read more
Whether shipping for a small retailer, mid-sized business, or a multinational corporation, there are some specifics to learn about when exporting goods to Middle East markets. To help you get started, here are some regulations and paperwork required when shipping goods to your target markets. Import Regulations Most countries in the region require that shippers present a Certificate of Origin, along with packing lists, commercial invoices, bills of lading or waybills, and insurance coverage. When shipping to the United Arab Emirates and Oman, freight forwarders need to present a Certificate of Origin for items valued over $100. For Qatar,… Read more
Since the early days of the conflict, Ukraine’s ports have remained blocked due to Russian ships and mines. There are 80 ships currently stranded, some carrying cargo, others – empty, with crews having fled from Ukraine. The country’s biggest port, the port of Yuzhne has been idle for the last three months, with thousands of workers staying home. How Could Shipping Be Restored? Boosting Rail and Road Capacity Earlier in May, the European Commission announced plans to boost rail and road capacity and unblock Ukrainian borders so that grain can be shipped. Yet, bottlenecks still remain, and mainly the… Read more
Amidst the pandemic, experts predicted that some commodities were headed for a quick recovery, examples being fast-recovering goods such as minerals, gravel, stones, and agricultural products. Others are neutral or slow-recovering due to a mix of market forces. Fast-Recovering Commodities Goods that are faster to return include pharmaceutical products, animal feed, food and grocery items, and agricultural and basic commodities. The main factors of market growth are the fact that they are considered national priority, are in-demand, and are more easily available due to the acceleration of e-commerce. Neutral and Slow-Recovering Commodities Some products are considered neutral when it comes… Read more
With global warming, supply chain networks face considerable risks due to climate disasters, severe weather, and the threat of future pandemics. When wildfires rage, ice covers the roadways, and high winds howl, many businesses are forced to shut down operations. Supply chains have to do the exact opposite and find alternative ways to ship commodities. Consumers expect small shipments to arrive on time even in harsh weather. What is more, shipping cardo is even more important during severe weather and climate disasters when essential goods are blocked in affected areas. As threats are constantly evolving, the shipping industry must find… Read more
Plenty can go wrong when shipping perishables and trying to protect them against spoilage, staleness, humidity, and extreme temperatures. There are different packagings and packs to use when transporting perishable items, including cold packs, insulated food shippers, solid plastics, and foam brick. Types of Packaging Cold packs are a safe and simple solution to ship perishables so that they stay cold during transit. They keep constant temperatures inside containers and boxes of pharmaceutical, beverage, and food products. When packing, it is a good idea to test the number and size of packs required. A larger quantity and large-sized packs help… Read more
The coronavirus pandemic hit vital industries across the globe and disrupted supply chains due to restrictions and stay-at-home orders. The pharmaceutical supply chain has also been affected by lockdowns and restrictions imposed in India and China where major pharmaceutical producers operate. Drop in Supply due to Over-Reliance Supply from pharmaceutical manufacturers in China has dropped significantly over the last couple of months. This is a source of concern in light of estimates by the WHO that China produces about 1/5 of active pharmaceutical ingredients used by producers. The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency announced that this figure could… Read more
Shipping medical devices and equipment requires careful packing, crating, and unloading by following safety procedures as to avoid damage. European logistics companies often ship medical equipment for research and medical facilities, manufacturers, private practitioners, clinics, and hospitals. Types of Medical Equipment Hospitals and other healthcare facilities use different types of medical devices and equipment such as gastroscopes, ultrasound, X-ray units, oxygen concentrators, and patient monitors. Surgical units require instruments such as Bonney and tissue forceps, skin glue, rake and malleable retractors, and linear cutters and staplers. Hospitals need specialized equipment such as energy systems, clips and staplers, cystoscopic equipment, and… Read more
Freight forwarders often ship valuable items that require special handling. From pick-up to transportation and delivery, valuables are made extra secure through digital video recording systems, armored transportation, extra insurance coverage, and security professionals. Factors to Take into Account Different factors should be weighed in when shipping high-value goods, including current events, customs, legislation, geography, and transportation infrastructure. Other factors that play a role are distance to the point of delivery, business practices, and the types of valuables to be shipped. Securing Cargo There are different ways and materials to secure valuable cargo as to protect items and ensure safe… Read more
Logistics providers face different challenges and operational and strategic risks due to factors such as instability, terrorism, conflicts, and economic downturns. Freight forwarders face logistics and transportation risks associated with increasing globalization, and it is important to develop and implement strategies to safeguard transports. Main Logistics Risks The main logistics risks that companies face include mergers and acquisitions, lack of safety and security procedures, theft and hijacking, and non-performance and carrier delays. Logistics providers also face risks associated with bankruptcy of transport providers, liability for delays and loss, and new safety and security legislation. In general, operational risk refers to… Read more
Logistics services providers offer and use different modes of transportation to move goods, including rail, road, air, and sea transport. All modes have pros and cons in terms of safety, speed, reliability, cost, and risk of damages. Rail Transport Rail freight has benefits over other transportation options, one being that it is a cost-effective solution for long distance transits. It is also a green logistics solution in light of the fact that rail transport emits 77 percent less than road freight. It is also a more dependable transportation option in bad weather such as heavy rain or snowfall. On the… Read more
With globalization and the ever increasing interdependence of European economies, cargo theft has become a real threat. Criminal groups often target high-value goods such as pharmaceutical products and mobile devices, and the number of incidents has increased during the last couple of years. Given that billions are lost to cargo theft each year, prevention is the key to ensuring safe transit. There are some proactive steps that IFA members can take to protect cargo from getting stolen. Who Is at Risk Forwarders that serve the textile industry should be extra vigilant because clothing and apparel are more difficult to trace… Read more
Dry van shipping remains the most popular and widely used freight forwarding method used for the international freight services provided by the members of IFA. The reason is that this type of transport where enclosed trailers are used for complete loads, pallet shipping, European groupage services and all kinds of other freight forwarding needs is so popular, is the fact that it is highly available and offers multiple benefits both for the companies from the European logistics network but for their customers as well. What exactly is a Dry Van? A dry van trailer is used for transporting large quantities… Read more
A new system for the blind zones of the trucks, which are not visible in the rear view mirrors was presented during the IAA Nutzfahrzeuge 2018 event. The German producer ZF Friedrichshafen AG introduced its innovative monitoring system in Hannover. It will help the truck drivers to prevent possible collisions with other vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians during turns. This system can help make the trucks used by the forwarders throughout Europe safer for the other members of the traffic, especially in urban settings. The system includes sensors which are placed on the right side of the vehicle which will… Read more
One of the main tasks international freight forwarding has is the crescent necessity of high quality in logistics services. The customers’ expectations and requirements increase all the time and European logistics association is supposed to respond to these requirements. The high quality is achieved thanks to the full customer’s awareness, the availability of detailed information about the shipment status in case of transportation of complete loads, small shipments and distribution logistics. Another factor for high quality achievement is the strict adherence to the deadlines for the delivery and offer of both: traditional and express fright. Here we will also review… Read more
Following the long-distance freight forwarding, the final stage of each shipment is from the central or regional office to the end destination. This is the stage in which the use of drones has been widely discussed recently. The international freight forwarders consider every new technology as potentially useful when it can be used for shortening the delivery time and lowering the prices for the services. The drones can also be used in the warehouses of the freight forwarders which also can help improve the speed and limit the need for personnel which again helps reduce the final price for the… Read more
Incoterms are used for the preparation of international freight forwarding of goods and cargo by the freight forwarders Europe for commercial purposes. These rules are defined by the International Chamber of Commerce. It is essential to know all these terms as well as the basic conditions in order to formulate the contractual agreement, the terms and conditions of selling and buying properly. These terms allow for precise definition of the responsibilities of both parties involved in a commercial deal, as well as the ownership of the goods in different geographical regions. All parties involved in the commercial deal, the… Read more
Supply chains cover the entire movement of the goods to the customers and include the transport and storage of the raw materials, as well as the forwarding and storage of the ready products. The International freight forwarders work together for creating interconnected networks for product supply and delivery which are in demand by the end customers of each supply chain. Definition for supply chain management The definition of this type of management includes the planning, the implementation and control of all activities in the supply chain. The goal is to create a competitive infrastructure for the international freight services… Read more
The timely and proper forwarding of goods and cargos is essential for any business. It is crucial for timely delivery of goods and cargo in good condition. During the forwarding services provided by the European network for logistics all aspects of the service including the packaging, loading and the transport itself is treated with special attention and car. This leads to the high quality services for all customers of IFA and care for their goods and cargo, no matter whether they are big retailers or private individuals with personal shipments. What the companies from the international forwarders network can… Read more
The unification of the separate forwarding companies in one united European network of freight forwarders allows for constant communication and cooperation among them. This allows for much faster reactions when the forwarding of goods to various European destinations is required. If the companies providing forwarding service do not work together this can lead to a number of problems and differences among them. This can lower the quality of forwarding services provided. The companies from the European network for transportation are in constant contact among each other when they need to transport cargo at longer distances with loading and reloading as… Read more
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