by Scott Frederick | May 19, 2015 | News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Logistics Plus Customs Broker Solutions Receives Remote Location Filing (RLF) Status with U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Its licensed customs brokers can now clear shipments at all ports in the United States.
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, May 19, 2015 – Logistics Plus Inc., a worldwide provider of transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions, announced today that its Customs Broker Solutions division has obtained Remote Location Filing (RLF) status from the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) agency.
RLF is designed to optimize supply chain performance by allowing customs filings from a centralized location for all ports within the United States. Logistics Plus Customs Broker Solutions can transmit electronic entry data to all ports within the United States using its new RLF status. Logistics Plus customers nationwide will have immediate delivery of their cargo no matter where they are located. Customers will also benefit from consistent, uniform entry processing, expedited clearance times and overall reduction in costs.
“We made RLF status a priority as a way to expedite customs processing on behalf of our customers,” said Gretchen Blough, licensed customs broker for Logistics Plus Customs Broker Solutions. “We’re extremely happy that CBP approved our RLF status, and we’re excited to be able to add yet another capability that simplifies importing for our customers.”
Please visit www.logisticsplus.com/customsbroker online for more information.
About Logistics Plus (LP)
Logistics Plus Inc. provides freight transportation, warehousing, global logistics, and supply chain management solutions through a worldwide network of talented and caring professionals. Founded in Erie, PA by local entrepreneur Jim Berlin nearly 20 years ago, Logistics Plus has been repeatedly recognized as one of the fastest-growing transportation and logistics companies in the country. With a strong passion for excellence, its 350+ employees put the “Plus” in logistics by doing the big things properly, and the countless little things, that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
The Logistics Plus® network includes offices located in Erie, PA; Fresno, CA; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Evansville, IN; Detroit, MI; Kansas City, MO; Lexington, NC; Buffalo, NY; Cleveland, OH; Charleston, SC; Greenville, SC; Nashville, TN; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Laredo, TX; Houston, TX; Australia; Bahrain; Belgium; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Egypt; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Kazakhstan; Libya; Mexico; Poland; Saudi Arabia; Turkey; United Kingdom; and additional agents around the world. For more information, visit www.logisticsplus.com or follow @LogisticsPlus on Twitter.
Media Contact:
Scott G. Frederick
Vice President, Marketing
Logistics Plus Inc.
(814) 240-6881
scott.frederick@logisticsplus.com
by logisticsplus | May 19, 2015 | News
We’re often approached by Amazon sellers and online retailers about details on how to import goods, deal with customs, and pay importation taxes. The process may seem complicated but that’s where Logistics Plus can help. We know you have an online retail store to run, and products to sell – so let us handle the logistical details for you.
Global sourcing from a foreign country is often needed to obtain affordable, quality products. But as with all good things, there are several logistical issues that have to be worked out in order to be successful.
What To Expect When Importing
- Long Lead Times – Most overseas suppliers won’t even begin making your products until you actually place an order and make a small payment to cover the cost of materials. Depending on the nature of your items, expect to wait anywhere from one to four months to get your products manufactured. Very rarely will a supplier actually carry significant inventory of your product, so you must plan ahead.
- A Hefty Minimum Order – If you are ordering products to be manufactured overseas, expect to place a fairly large minimum order. Every manufacturer will have their own minimums but don’t be shy about asking before you order. As a rule of thumb, if you are just starting out, you can probably take whatever you consider a large order and multiply that number by 10.
- Payment Terms – Most if not all manufacturers expect to be paid by wire transfer. Usually, you have to put down a percentage of payment upfront to cover the initial costs and then pay the balance once the items are ready to be shipped. There are escrow services available to handle payment issues, but in general, transactions go much faster when there’s mutual trust between you and your supplier. Of course, you’ll have to establish this trust over time.
- Quality control – Quality may be an issue in the beginning. In general, it will take several iterations in order for you to get your products exactly the way you want them.
- Language Barriers – Many suppliers in Asia will not speak English very well; but as long as you keep most of your communications through email, things will go much smoother. Most suppliers are able to read English much better than they can understand the spoken language. Of course, if you work with Logistics Plus, we will likely have logistics experts located in that country who can speak the local language to address any issues on your behalf.
Preparing For Your Shipment
Once you’ve ordered your products and they are finally ready to be shipped to you, what’s next? There are two primary ways to get your goods into your home country: air or ocean transportation. Before you initiate your shipments, make sure you ask for the following documents from your supplier. These will be required in order to clear customs.
- A Commercial or Customs Invoice – Description and declared value of the items
- A Packing List – Description of items you are importing, PO number, delivery address, etc.
- Bill of Lading – This is a detailed list of shipment goods given to the carrier in order to transport your goods (your broker can provide this for you)
Shipping By Air
Shipping your items by air is by far the easiest option but also the most expensive. Expect to pay between 5-6 times more to ship by air versus ocean transportation. Because Logistics Plus has accounts and discounts with more air carriers, shipping international air shipments with us is a breeze because we’ll take care of pretty much everything.
The supplier provides the Logistics Plus air carrier with all of the materials mentioned above and then they will transport all of your goods directly to the address that you specify. Just have this information handy once your goods have shipped and you are all set. Logistics Plus will also provide you a detailed invoice so that you see any and all duties associated with your imported goods.
Shipping By Ocean
Shipping by ocean can take a lot longer than air, but is totally worth it if you are importing a large volume of goods. As mentioned before, you can easily save between 5-6 times the amount you would have paid shipping by air.
The key to accepting shipments by ocean is working with a good customs agent, like Logistics Plus. This is especially important if this is your first time importing by ocean carrier. This is what the customs agent will take care of for you.
- Customs Documentation – They will take care of any and all documentation required in the entire process
- Customs Entry – They will take care of getting your goods from the port directly to your office
- Customs Duty – They will take care of calculating and billing you for any duties associated with your goods.
- Customs “Single Entry” or “Continuous” Bond – You are required to buy a bond that acts as insurance with Customs in the event you should default on the customs duties. Your customs agent will take care of this for you as well.
Although there are some fees associated with these services, Logistics Plus will get your goods through customs swiftly and without hassle. As an example, a recent shipment handled for an online retailers would have cost $1,600 dollars by air, but by ocean it only cost $550. Overall, the customer saved over 65% on transportation. The trade-off was that it took over 3 weeks to receive the shipment by ocean as opposed 4 days by air.
Do you have additional retail & distribution questions or are you also selling your goods on Amazon? Let the transportation and logistics experts at Logistics Plus help – we make importing easy. Call us at 1.866.564.7587 or contact us for more information.
by logisticsplus | May 12, 2015 | News
If you’re an Amazon retailer or seller, here are 6 steps to getting your product to your FBA warehouse (Fulfillment By Amazon), according to Michael D. Marani, author of The Amazon Sales Formula (available in e-book format on Amazon.com).
- Ask your supplier what the weight of each master carton is, and what the dimensions are.
- Ask your supplier for the exact address.
- Ask your supplier to provide you with a quote for your units including shipping. If they ask you if you have a preference, then respond saying that you would like the most affordable option.
- Contact Logistics Plus at www.logisticsplus.com/Amazon and use the weight and dimension information that your supplier provided along with the supplier address to help provide you with an accurate quote. Don’t worry if you miss something important – Logistics Plus will work with you to get the information needed.
- Choose the most affordable option.
- Communicate this choice with your supplier.
In his e-book, Mr. Marani goes on to suggest that some people will disagree with only seeking two options for shipping. However, he is a firm believer that some times too many options can lead to analysis paralysis. If you look hard enough, you can always find somebody cheaper, but if you truly value your time, you’ll quickly realize that you’re going to get quick and fair quote from Logistics Plus, and you’ll be keeping your supplier honest in the process.
Some Amazon sellers like to have their product shipped to their homes or businesses before sending them off to the FBA warehouse. That way they can inspect their product and make sure they received exactly what they ordered. Alternatively, Logistics Plus can provide this same service. If you ask, we will ship your product to one of our many warehouses around the country and then we’ll inspect your product and send you photographs for your review before sending it off to your FBA warehouse. If your order is faulty or not to specifications, you can let your supplier know so that they will be sure not to slack off when fulfilling your next order because they know you’ll be looking!
The Amazon Sales Formula provides additional step-by-step instructions on how best to sell on Amazon. Just remember, when you work with Logistics Plus – we take care of the customs, transportation and logistics so that you can stay focused on selling your products! If you have any questions, feel free to email us at amazonretail@logisticsplus.com or click the button below to get started.
by Scott Frederick | May 5, 2015 | News
Continuing a long-standing tradition, this past weekend a group of Logistics Plus employees (i.e., the “LP vs MS team” pictured below) helped raise $754 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society “Walk MS” event in Erie, PA. The Walk MS event itself creates a hope-filled and fun atmosphere for everyone affected by multiple sclerosis while generating a greater awareness of MS in the public at large. Families were drawn closer together, co-workers were united for a greater good, and people gained a better understanding of what MS is and how close we are coming to achieving a world free of this disease. The funds raised give hope to the more than 2.3 million people living with MS worldwide.
Pictured below (left to right) are Christie Paradiso, Jacquie Woodring, Lee Anne Kennedy, Kathy Fiedler, Francisco Tijerina and (in the stroller) Raylan Kennedy.
by logisticsplus | May 4, 2015 | News
With the arrival of spring, Logistics Plus raised the flags on top of its Union Station Global Headquarters last week. This continues an annual tradition in which nearly 50 different flags are posted along Union Station’s parapet, each showcasing an employee of the company or country where it does business; and showing everyone that Erie is intimately connected to the global economy. Of course, the highest and largest of them all is the flag of the United States of America. This flag is taken down and replaced with a new flag each year. We’d like to send out a big THANK YOU to the Erie Fire Department for their assistance in the U.S. flag swap last week Thursday (see inset photo, bottom right).
Located along the railroad tracks at 14th Street between Peach and Sassafras Streets in Erie, Pennsylvania, the original Union Station was constructed in 1866 at an expense of $100,000. A “new” Union Station replaced the old depot around 1927. That same building still stands today, thanks in large part to Logistics Plus which purchased and renovated the building in 2003-04. Today, this beautiful building is now home to Logistics Plus, Amtrak, a brewpub, a banquet facility, a hair salon, a hookah cafe, and others (see photos of the building below from 1925, 1990, and present). Union Station was the actual center of transportation for the Erie area for decades. Even though train travel today is not what it once was, having a global logistics company headquartered at Union Station keeps Erie connected to its past by being a part of the global economy in a whole new way.
You can read the Union Station Wikipedia page for more details on the building’s history. Additionally, the Manufacturer & Business Association published an excellent Logistics Plus profile in its May 2006 Business Magazine and then again in its January 2015 Business Magazine.
by Scott Frederick | May 4, 2015 | News
Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, recognizing the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year.
As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.
Logistics Plus was founded by a small business entrepreneur in 1996 and has been growing ever since. Today we are one of the fastest-growing privately-owned transportation and logistics companies in the country. Our founder, Jim Berlin, was recognized as a regional entrepreneur of the year in 2004 and is a lifetime member of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® Hall of Fame. Not only did we start off as an entrepreneurial small business ourselves, we also proudly serve hundreds of small businesses by helping them manage their freight shipping and transportation.
Please join us in acknowledging entrepreneurs and small business owners across the country this week and for being truly a backbone to our economy. This year’s SBA theme is “Dream Big, Start Small.” Logistics Plus is truly an example of a company that started small and dreamed big. You can too.
