Customs & Forwarding Agents: How to Explore the Global Market
Even if you deliver your products only in your own country, you need to take into account many details. Choose the right type of transport, obtain additional approvals when transporting dangerous, large-sized, or oversized cargo, draw up accompanying documents, and provide them to the relevant authorities in a timely manner. Carrying out international transportation requires compliance with a number of rules and regulations. It is essential to take into account the requirements of the legislation of the countries through which the cargo will be transported. In this article, we have collected basic information on organizing international delivery.
Types of International Cargo Delivery
Before you start searching for information about Worldwide Customs & Forwarding Agents, you have to choose the means of transportation. Delivery can be arranged in various ways.
By Truck
This option is suitable when there is a land border between countries. In addition, trucks are widely used to organize combined and multimodal transportation as an additional method of transportation from a warehouse to a logistics center and back. This type allows you to deliver the goods directly to the recipient's warehouse without additional costs.
By Train
One of the oldest methods of cargo delivery. Railroad tracks cover a significant part of the globe, connecting many countries. Tariffs are usually unified and affordable, and a large number of types of wagons and containers allow for the delivery of any type of cargo, even large, oversized, and dangerous.
Sea Transport
One of the most affordable delivery options. Absolutely everything can be delivered by sea, including production equipment and special cargo. Special containers and reliable fastenings are used for this. The only drawback of this option is the long term. However, with proper planning, an optimal schedule of regular deliveries can be developed.
By Plane
The fastest way to deliver. Most cargo is placed in the luggage compartment of passenger flights, but it is possible to charter a separate vessel: charter or cargo. It allows you to deliver even complex and heavy cargo, but a certain list of goods classified as dangerous cannot be delivered by plane.
In addition, international delivery can be multimodal. In this case, several types of transport are used at once under a single accompanying document, and full responsibility for the quality of transportation falls on the organizer. If, with regular delivery, responsibility is regulated by an agreement between the customer and the carrier, and the logistics company acts as an intermediary, then multimodal delivery allows you to combine all stages under the guidance of logistics center specialists. It is more reliable since the risk of damage or cargo loss due to transport company employees' faults is significantly reduced.
Required Documentation
As a rule, all these regulatory documents establish what accompanying documentation must be provided for the delivery of goods by one method or another.
● For delivery by road to China, for example, it is necessary to provide CMR: an international commercial and transport consignment note, which contains all essential information about the goods, including the exact route and cost of delivery.
● For delivery by rail, it will be necessary to issue an international SMGS consignment note (Agreement on International Freight Traffic).
● For transportation of goods by air, an AMR—an international consignment note similar to delivery by road—will be necessary.
● A bill of lading is issued for delivery by sea: a document that the carrier issues to the consignor of the goods as confirmation of acceptance of the goods for transportation.
● When organizing multimodal delivery, it will be necessary to issue the relevant documents for all types of vehicles.
● Invoice: a document that is issued by the seller or consignor of goods for a specific batch. Its registration indicates the recipient's obligation to pay for the goods.
● Proforma invoice: unlike the previous one, it is not a payment document and contains only preliminary data on the delivered goods.
● Packing list: a document that contains information on how exactly the goods are packed and placed, in what quantity they are delivered, what are the dimensions of the packaging, the gross and net weight, and the total volume.
All these documents can be prepared independently, or you can seek help from specialized specialists.
Self-delivery or Logistics Company
Of course, if you are going to enter the international market, you have thought about the specifics of organizing delivery. Of course, you can deliver purchases yourself. However, this option is usually only beneficial for large companies. And they are already moving away from this, delegating transport to specialized firms.
It is reasonable, as logistics companies and specialized couriers have the necessary experience in such matters. At the same time, errors in filling out documents are reduced to a minimum. And this means that your goods will be delivered on time. Therefore, the help of professionals in this matter is preferable.
Conclusion
International shipping has a number of rules and nuances that are incomprehensible to a beginner. From choosing the type of transport to processing customs documents, the whole process can take a long time. However, entering the international market is worth it. In addition, you can avoid unpleasant moments by concluding an agreement with an experienced carrier.
