The word shipping applies to the transportation of materials in the form of cargo, maybe in a container across the country or within the boundaries of the country. The mode may be across water, air, or land. While considering international shipment, water transport is the most economical way to carry goods. Shipping is the most crucial component of the operation, especially e-commerce.
What is the various classification in the process of freight shipment?
Based upon a load of containers shipments are classified into the following types.
- Full truckload (FTL): When the volume of shipment reaches 24-26 pellets, it’s considered as full truckload which can be moved via road or rail. These shipments are directed from the pickup location to the destination.
- Less truckload (LTL): A lesser than truckload is the shipment that involves 1-6 pellets. In this LTL freight shipping or e-commerce inventory, it’s often transferred to various trucks while moving to the destination.
- Partial truckload (PTL): A partial truckload involves load between 6-12 pellets, and once the inventory is loaded into the container, the possibility of being transferred to a different truck is quite low.
- Intermodal: This type of shipment involves when the mode of transport is rail, truck as well as road. The benefit of intermodal is that the cost of shipping is reduced, especially that part involving road transport.
- Expedited: This is the most expensive form of transport and involves road and air. The best part is that the shipment reaches its destination at the quickest possible time and best for urgent delivery.
Various benefits of freight shipping?
There are various benefits of maritime freight shipping compared to other modes.
- Economical: Sea freight is generally applicable to those goods which don’t have any urgency or cannot be perishable. In fact, this is applicable to both domestic and international containers. Generally, the time involved here is more than those transported by other modes like air and land.
- Efficient: The container can be efficiently packed with other assignments, which might be from different clients. This is dependent on the size of the container. Pricing is done accordingly. Vessels are designed so that they can carry larger volumes of goods or raw materials.
- Oversized and bulky cargo capacity: Maritime freight has the capacity to carry bulkier sized freight in containers. The materials that are carried are mainly construction materials, vehicles, equipment, raw materials, and many more. Such larger cargo is not a problem for shipping vessels.
- Safety: Ship can be utilized to carry hazardous materials and chemicals in such a way that absolute safety reigns. Although goods are insured, the loss due to shipwrecks and pirates attack is now minimized to a large extent.
- Environmental friendliness: In fact, ships do not emit unnecessary gases thereby making the environment friendlier and suitable for a better state. The emission of greenhouse gases is the minimum here. LPG or liquefies natural gases are utilized here.
Facts to know about freight shipping
The process of freight forwarding might be daunting, mainly if you are a beginner in the process, but there are certain facts that you need to know before starting any venture or assignment.
- A freight forwarder is accountable for transporting goods between one destinations to another. They are basically responsible for liaison with various carriers thereby negotiating on price and deciding on the most economical and fastest route.
- This is a hassle-free way to implement export-import trade. The professionals have knowledge on how to achieve the elements of the supply chain, packaging, and warehousing state including custom procedures.
- The freight forwarders provide a range of services like custom clearance, insurance, international import-export documentation, and packing, storage, and Inventory management.
- A freight forwarding company is advantageous to your business since they have the expert knowledge that would ensure your goods reach the destination in the right time.
- Freight forwarders are not responsible for delays in shipping like bad weather, breakdown or might be port delays. Shipping delays could be a whole level of frustration but you cannot blame your freight forwarder.
- You have to take care of your paperwork or the release of custom or bank documents would be at stake. This is important as the freight forwarder will help you with the release of your goods.
- Freight forwarders adhere to strict regulations and would not carry any goods or substances which are harmful. The list of substances is – inflammable or dangerous goods, drugs, alcohols, batteries, perishable items, and sharp objects.
- If you hold a good relationship with your freight forwarder company they will take care of your goods and make sure that the service includes warehouse storage, cargo insurance, dangerous goods handling, and cargo tracking. All of these come without an extra cost from the side of the freight forwarder.
The freight forwarding company will present you with a range of documents that include the following:
- Bill of the landing contract.
- Commercial invoice for the goods to be handled.
- Certificate of inspection for the goods.
- Original statement certificate for the materials handled.
- License for export for the goods.
- Packing list for export purpose.
- Declaration document for shipper’s export.
What are the factors to estimate that determine the shipping rate?
While you estimate the amount of shipping rate, certain factors come into consideration. These factors are:
- Mode of transportation: The mode of shipping will determine the rate of shipment. Say like air shipment will be the most expensive as that will be required to ship only urgent and perishable items.
- Origin and destination: The distance between the origin and destination will determine the rate of transportation. In fact, the relationship between the distance and cost is inversely proportional.
- Size and weight: The bigger the package, the more expensive it will become. Make the length and breadth figures be estimated to accurate inches or rounded up a bit higher.
- Special type handling: Goods that require special care like refrigeration will cost to be higher and incur additional charges.
How do you prepare a freight shipment?
The major steps involved in shipping freight are as follows:
- Make pallets that are appropriately sized.
- Design shipments that are non-palletized.
- Attach labels to each pallet.
- Follow the freight carrier instructions meticulously.
Once you are acquainted with the rules of freight forwarding, you will be in a better position to handle any shipment and have remote knowledge on how to handle the consignments. Get the best quotes from topshipping, your most trusted shipping partner.
