Shipping Knowledge Hub

There is no doubt that with globalisation, business supply chains are increasing in complexity. Competition is rising and growth targets need to be met. So firms are moving into new markets, sourcing raw materials from new locations, or even moving production.

Logistics terminology can be confusing if you're new to shipping. However, it’s crucial to understand the difference between terms like third-party logistics (3PL), fourth-party logistics (4PL), and fifth-party logistics (5PL).

Supply chain management is a crucial element of any modern business. Organisations investing in their supply chains achieve superior growth than their industry's standard. By investing in your supply chains you can create cost savings, boost productivity, improve your brand's reputation and decarbonise. With that said, optimising your businesses supply chain can be a complex process. Businesses dealing with physical goods have both inbound and outbound logistics processes. It's essential to understand the difference between Inbound and Outbound logistics as well as how you can optimise each.

Shipping delays can seem unavoidable, especially if you're inexperienced in shipping and logistics. However, there are a few steps you can take to ensure on-time delivery and minimal complications. We've collected nine tips for how to get your goods safely across international borders.

The international shipping process involves many more tasks than freight transport and starts much earlier than when the ship leaves the dock. Business owners that trade internationally can gain visibility of where their goods are at any given time when they understand the key elements in the shipping process. The export process requires you to book suitable carriers, complete essential documents and synchronise all parties involved.

How you or your shipper load your goods can impact your whole shipping process. Effective loading protects your goods so that they arrive in the expected condition. Proper packing can also help customs authorities understand what's inside the cargo and reduce the chances of a search that can delay the shipment.

Shipping goods internationally can be a worthwhile investment for many businesses. However, getting it right isn’t easy for companies without experience. This is why many companies pair with freight forwarders to optimise their logistics.

International shipping is already complicated, but introducing hazardous and dangerous cargo into the equation requires even more work. But for good reason. Correctly shipping hazardous cargo is extremely important. Primarily because of the potential for harm to handlers on-route, but also because mistakes carry greater more severe penalties and fines than regular cargo.

Incoterms, or International Commercial Terms, play a hugely significant role in international logistics. The terms a deal is completed on can have a big impact on the margins of the shipper and consignee. But they are also some of the most confusing aspects of trade and take a while to get your head around.

Choosing a freight forwarder is one of the most important elements of your business. The perfect freight forwarder will take all the stress out of your logistics process from start to finish, they will act on your behalf to liaise with customs agents, carriers, truckers, warehousing etc to ensure a smooth import or export. If anything goes wrong with your shipment, the freight forwarder will step in to see if they can resolve it.

A freight forwarder acts on your behalf to liaise with customs agents and freight companies to ship your goods across the world. The freight forwarder will arrange the best deals and find the best route to get your cargo from A to B.

Looking beyond freight rates could have beneficial impacts for your business. All businesses, when looking for to move product from A to B, want to know what the shipping costs are. But it isn't always easy. There are several factors that go into the total cost of moving a product. Freight costs can account for a large proportion of total costs, but they are not the only factor in the equation. Supply chain and shipping decisions should be based on total landed cost, rather than just the freight rate, meaning companies must utilise analytical tools to fully understand their business and its outgoings.