by logisticsplus | Jul 9, 2015 | News
When you work with a capable logistics partner, door-to-door international shipping shouldn’t be complicated for shippers; but it’s a complex process behind the scenes. A shipment exported from the United States to a foreign country becomes a maze of modes and regulations before it arrives at your customer’s door. According to Emily Grein, international manager for Logistics Plus, “We try to make shipping internationally no different than shipping domestically. From our customer’s perspective, it should be simply a matter of picking up the shipment, transporting it to the destination, and then delivering it to their customer.”
So what should you look for when selecting a door-to-door logistics partner? If you look hard, you might find many options for international door-to-door delivery services. With exports on the decline due to the higher dollar valuation, the competition is intense. But buyer beware – not all logistics companies are the same. Some providers may outsource the bulk of the work to five or six different vendors, from trucking to warehousing to customs brokerage. Other logistics companies may outsource only a portion of the responsibility, providing more internal expertise and control. Having fewer parties involved reduces a shipper’s loss, damage, and security risk. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before selecting a door-to-door international freight forwarder:
- Are they large enough to be credible but not so large that they ignore my individual requirements?
- Do they have global trade compliance and customs clearance expertise in-house?
- Do they understand compliant packaging regulations (such as ISPM 15 and HT)?
- Do they have offices and people located around the world with local knowledge of the country to which I am shipping?
- Have they established strong relationships with air, ocean, and ground carriers to secure capacity and affordable rates for my shipment requirements?
- Do they have the ability to warehouse and distribute my product according to a set schedule if needed?
- Do they have an online technology solution that provides me with shipment visibility?
- Will I have a dedicated logistics specialist working with me every step of the way?
Okay, now that you’ve selected a capable door-to-door freight forwarding partner (hopefully it’s Logistics Plus), you need to prepare your shipment for the big move. Preparing an international door-to-door shipment can sometimes require planning up to a year in advance. The main factors affecting the shipment’s transportation mode and cost will be the size, weight, and dimensions of the cargo being moved and the final destination. Packaging will also be a factor, both in terms of cargo security and shipment dimensions and cost. Remember, you don’t want to “pay for air,” so make sure your shipment is optimally packaged for secure and safe transport.
You should start by compiling a detailed packing list and itemizing every piece of the shipment, including both description and dimensions. This will allow your logistics provider to provide you with an accurate rate estimate. Armed with a detailed understanding of your shipment and its final destination, your logistics provider will find the appropriate shipping line and shipping ports for optimal results. Once your shipment is en-route, you should have the confidence that your logistics provider will be able to provide you with frequent shipment status updates, if needed, and will notify you once your shipment has been delivered. They should also explain to you how to select the best Incoterms for your shipment to ensure your total transportation costs and any applicable tariffs or duties are minimized. They should also be able to provide you with a consolidated, itemized invoice for the entire transaction.
“There’s often a lot of steps and documents involved with international door-to-door shipping,” says Emily, “But our goals is to make importing and exporting easy for our customers simply.” If you’re ready to learn more about Logistics Plus door-to-door international shipping services, please email us at quotes@logisticsplus.com or click the button below to get a quick quote on your next international shipment.
**Please note: Due to liability issues, we do not ship personal effects or belongings.**
by Scott Frederick | Jul 7, 2015 | News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Logistics Plus Named a ‘2015 Great Supply Chain Partner’
Logistics Plus will appear in the 2015 July/August issue of SupplyChainBrain magazine
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, July 7, 2015 – Logistics Plus Inc., a worldwide provider of transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions, is proud to announce that it has been selected as a ‘2015 Great Supply Chain Partner’ by SupplyChainBrain in its 13th annual awards to 100 Great Supply Chain Partners. Logistics Plus will appear in the 2015 July/August issue of SupplyChainBrain magazine as a celebrated member of this year’s 100 Great.
“Each year, our list of 100 Great Supply Chain Partners features a select group of companies whose customers are recognizing them for providing outstanding solutions and services,” said Brad Berger, president and publisher for SupplyChainBrain. “This year we received nominations for literally hundreds of solutions providers in every aspect of supply chain management, as a result of our six-month on-line poll: in which supply chain professionals were asked to nominate vendors and service providers whose solutions have made a significant impact on their company’s efficiency, customer service and overall supply chain performance. Logistics Plus fared extremely well given the large amount of quality nominations we received.”
“Being formally recognized as a great supply chain partner is an exciting honor for us,” said Jim Berlin, founder and CEO of Logistics Plus. “As we like to tell people, the ‘plus’ in Logistics Plus means doing the big things properly, and the many little things needed to ensure our customers’ complete satisfaction and success. It’s very gratifying to know our efforts have not gone unnoticed.”
About SupplyChainBrain
SupplyChainBrain, the world’s most comprehensive supply chain management information resource, is accessed year round through a wide range of ever evolving multi-media formats by hundreds of thousands of senior level industry executives. In addition to addressing the fundamental principles of supply-chain management, SupplyChainBrain identifies emerging trends, technologies and best practices, forward thinking ideas and cutting-edge solutions ~ and continues to write and report about these as they evolve and mature. For more information, visit www.supplychainbrain.com
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 Scott Frederick | May 1, 2015 | News
Do you know the difference between a flatbed and a step deck? Dry van versus a Conestoga? Lowboy versus a Gooseneck? Even if you’re not sure what equipment you might need to move your important freight shipment, your friends at Logistics Plus can probably find exactly what you need. But in case you’re really curious, here’s a quick primer on the different types of truckload transportation equipment you might encounter.
Straight Truck
A straight truck, also known as a cube truck, cube van, box van, or box truck, is a truck that carries cargo on the same chassis as the power unit and cab. These types of trucks are often used to move furniture, home goods, and smaller items, or for “hot-shot” expedited freight deliveries.
Dry Van (Enclosed) Trailer
Dry Van trailers are generally enclosed and are commonly used to carry and protect freight from the harmful elements of the weather or the roads. Your shipment can be loaded on the rear of the trailer, normally using a loading dock. In cases where a loading dock is not available, some trailers come equipped with liftgates that can help get your freight from the ground to the trailer and back again.
Flatbed (Flat Bed) Trailers
Flatbeds are extremely popular and are widely used because they are very versatile. Generally, a flatbed is used to load freights on its tip, sides, and rear. With these capabilities, flatbeds have become a primary and leading assets of the trucking industry.
Step Deck (Stepdeck) Trailers
Stepdeck Trailers are otherwise known as drop decks and they are actually a variation of the flatbed trailer design that mainly consists of a bottom and top deck. These trailers are specifically designed to haul freight that cannot be transported on a standard type of flatbed, often due to height restrictions. Step decks can be open or they can also be enclosed in a dry van or Conestoga style of trailer.
Conestoga Trailers
Conestoga trailers come with a rolling tarp system that is used to cover and uncover the trailer and gives protection to the freight. The benefit of a Conestoga trailer is that the tarp can be rolled back to allow side loading or unloading of freight.
RGN (Removable Gooseneck) Trailers
RGN or Removable Gooseneck Trailers are excellent for carrying tall or long freight. An RGN trailer comes with a detachable front, allowing the trailer to be dropped on the ground in order to create a ramp. It is capable of carrying freight weighing up to 150,000 pounds. It can go from 3 axles up to 20 plus axles for heavier shipments. RGN Trailers are more specialized so they are also generally more expensive.
Stretch RGN Trailers
The Stretch RGN or Removable Gooseneck Trailer is designed to haul freight that is too long to be carried by a standard type of RGN. Depending on the weight of the freight, axles may range from 3 axles or higher. This means that the heavier the load is the more axles are to be used.
Lowboy Trailer
A Lowboy Trailer is an unpowered trailer which is commonly used to haul freight. These kinds of trailers are generally designed to carry and transport taller items. This means that the items to be carried by a Lowboy Trailer are taller than the legal height of items that are commonly carried by flatbeds. The types of trailers are also good for hosteling freight between loading docks or within a freight yard.
Refrigerated (Reefer) Trailers
A refrigerated trailer is a temperature-controlled unit. It is generally used for transporting chilled or frozen products. The temperature inside the trailer can be controlled no matter the outside weather conditions. Refrigerated trailers are very specialized and take additional fuel to keep the cooling mechanism running, and therefore more difficult to source and more expensive than standard equipment.
Specialized Trailers
Specialized trailers are specifically made for certain types of freight commodities or substances and include such equipment types as tank, perimeter, double gooseneck, and dolly trailers.
Whether your are looking for a specific transportation equipment type, or you’re just not sure, the truckload transportation experts at Logistics Plus can help you with a wide range of in-house (through our NTL division) and brokered equipment options in order to meet your needs (which is why Transport Topics ranked us one of the top freight brokerage firms in North America). Contact us for more information or request a quick quote on your next truckload freight shipment.
by Scott Frederick | Mar 9, 2015 | News
Here are some thoughts regarding the characteristics of a good 3PL (third-party logistics) partner, presented in a visual, infographic format.
by Scott Frederick | Feb 23, 2015 | News
It goes without saying that there are many regulations around importing and exporting – complex regulations. We have licensed and experienced consultants who can help simplify the complexity of those regulations and provide procedures to keep your company in compliance. In fact, when you work with Logistics Plus, it’s like having your very own Global Trade Compliance Department.
- Are you looking to expand your import and / or export operations, and aren’t sure of the regulations you need to follow?
- Have you received Notices of Action on your imports or penalties on your export filings?
- Are your customers asking you to complete free trade agreement paperwork, but you’re unsure of what to do?
- Do you have the knowledge and expertise necessary to keep your company in compliance with import and export regulations?
At Logistics Plus, Adam Mook, global trade compliance department manager, and Gretchen Blough, a licensed customs broker, are part of a global team of 25+ professionals who ensure that everything coming into or going out of the country does so legally and in compliance with all of the various international laws and customs regulations that govern the shipment of goods. “There’s basically two ways to look at it,” says Adam. “If a U.S. company is exporting its product from here to say, Indonesia, they may be able to handle the function of getting out of the United States, but they often don’t think about all the documentation requirements, packaging or labeling of the products for the import process in the country they’re shipping to. That’s where we come in and help, not just in getting it out of the U.S. side, but we also tell them how to prepare their product in order to get it into the country and to clear customs.”
No matter the origin or destination of your goods, we help you gain the knowledge to perform the due diligence necessary to ensure your shipments meet international regulations. Easily define your needs, contain costs, and minimize your risk when you work with our experiences, licensed customs brokers. Our customs specialists help you comply with existing government regulations and stay ahead of changing customs compliance laws to reduce your risk, eliminate errors, and lower your costs.
- Compliance Management
- Import / Export Compliance Manuals
- NAFTA and Free Trade Agreement Qualifications
- Classification (HTS, Schedule B, ECCN)
- Freight Bill Audits
- Import / Export Audits
- Customs Brokerage
- In-house Compliance Training
- On-Site Compliance Management Teams
- Letter of Credit Contract Review and Consulting
If you’re interested in having Logistics Plus be your Global Trade Compliance Department for any of the services listed above, please contact us or reach out directly to Adam or Gretchen to get started.
Adam Mook, Global Trade Compliance Manager
Call 814.464.1722 or email adam.mook@logisticsplus.com
Gretchen Blough, Licensed Customs Broker
Call 814.461.7630 or email gretchen.blough@logisticsplus.com
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