Many readers send us questions about particular aspects of cargo transport. To answer the questions, we have launched a project where we consult logistics experts about the topics that interest our readers. Send us your questions regarding transport, storage, forwarding, customs and documentation, implementation of customs regulations by customs authorities and customs agents, representation of clients in customs procedures, administrative, misdemeanor, and judicial procedures related to customs matters, insurance of goods in transit, carrier insurance…
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Transport and Logistics
Modern times have brought tremendous advances in technology and in the automotive industry, but they have also increased the complexity of the supply chain. Due to the unique nature of this business, the transport of automotive parts can present a number of challenges. In the following, we will examine what to consider when it comes to transport in the automotive industry:
Sensitivity to damage: Automotive parts are often sensitive to shock, vibration, and external impact, requiring proper
protection and packaging to prevent damage during transport. This may include special packaging, padding, covers, protective coatings, and shock-absorbing materials.
Handling: To prevent damage, fragile items such as glass, auto bodyparts, or electrical components must be handled carefully. Personnel should be trained in how to handle automotive parts and the associated special equipment.
Dimensions and special requirements: Automotive parts range in size from small electrical components to huge car body panels. Selecting the appropriate mode of transport will depend on the height, width, and weight of the cargo. Large and heavy shipments require the use of a logistics partner capable of providing specialized
trucks and integrated systems, while items such as batteries or chemical materials may require unique transit conditions or permits due to potential risks or restrictions.
Availability and speed: The automotive sector has created complex supply chains involving numerous suppliers and distributors. It can be difficult to get everyone in the chain to work together and follow the rules, and it becomes even more difficult when availability and speed of delivery are equally important. You may be familiar with the JIT (just in time) and JIS (just in sequence) inventory management techniques developed by automotive manufacturers to minimize “idle time” on the assembly line. From all this, we can conclude that the transport of automotive parts cannot be considered in isolation, but rather as part of a logistics chain in which transport routes and speeds must be coordinated with production dynamics. In addition to scheduled shipments, there are sometimes very sudden and urgent deliveries, which is why working with a flexible logistics partner can provide a significant competitive advantage.
cargo-partner has created a special EMERGENCY service to meet the needs of its customers. A team of cargo-partner experts is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to offer you the best solution for truly urgent shipments and ensure priority in scheduling air transport and customs clearance. cargo-partner’s online platform SPOT provides easy access to important documents and the ability to track your shipment at any time.
Customs and legal requirements:International shipping of automotive parts can be subject to a variety of customs duties, fees, and laws. Large manufacturers’ factories are typically located within free trade zones, allowing vehicle parts to be transported between countries without paying customs charges until they are incorporated into the final product. However, legal requirements can also slow down the delivery process and require additional paperwork and administration.
Based on many years of experience in working with leading manufacturers producers and suppliers around the world, cargo-partner can provide comprehensive advice and support in automotive logistics: from transport and warehousing up to customs and documentation.
Best regards,
cargo-partner | transport + iLogistics
Because the international supply chain involves so many diverse procedures and participants, professional freight forwarders can be a great help in facilitating cargo movement around the world. Companies that specialize in freight forwarding have extensive knowledge of the complex procedures involved in international trade, including export documentation, international shipping costs, customs clearance procedures, import duties and taxes, port handling fees, domestic distribution, and cargo insurance.
Despite the fact that you are dealing with top professionals, you will still need to be actively involved in the process. To begin with, you will need to provide certain details when requesting a quote for transport services:
- Deadline for delivery
- Pickup address
- Final delivery address
- Incoterms (Learn more about Incoterms here)
- Transport mode (if you have a preference)
- Frequency of transports
- Your possibilities as an importer or exporter
- Customs office (preferred place for customs clearance)
- Type of goods
- Shipment dimensions (length, width, height)
- Weight of shipment
- Type of packaging
- Special requirements of your goods (temperature-sensitive, oversized, fragile, valuable, dangerous, flammable etc.)
- Information about your company (tax number and contact person)
- Required insurance and value of goods
The list continues, but these points are essential when requesting a transport quote. Having critical information on hand can drastically speed up the process and reduce the time it takes to get an offer. If your shipment is time-sensitive, make sure to mention this as well.
If a logistics company representative requests further information or documents, know that it is absolutely necessary.
If you are unfamiliar with the items on the list, don’t worry!cargo-partner’s experts will be delighted to advise you and ensure transparency throughout the entire process.
For more information, visit the cargo-partner website or contact us for a detailed consultation!
Buying and selling goods internationally can be challenging, which is why the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) developed the Incoterms.
The Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) are simply rules that specify which party in the supply chain is responsible for certain duties, expenses, and hazards related to the shipment of products.
The Incoterms have been in use for more than 60 years and are acknowledged by all international courts and organizations.
Their primary goal is to decrease or eliminate uncertainty caused by varying interpretations of the rules in different countries. Because of this, theIncoterms are frequently used in contracts all over the world to clearly state what is expected of allinvolved parties.
Understanding the Incoterms is essential, since they will be invoked in the event of a misunderstanding or legal conflict. Any logistics expert will recognize this note on the box or document.
Within these regulations, some phrases have particular definitions. Among the more significant ones are:
- Delivery – The moment in the transaction in which the risk of loss or damage to the goods is transferred from the seller to the buyer
- Arrival – The moment up to which the transport of goods is paid
- Free- Obligation of the seller to deliver the goods to the designated place where the carrier picks them up
- Carrier – Any person/company who undertakes to carry out or provide goods transportation by contract
- Forwarder – A company that arrangesor assists in making arrangements for shipping of goods
- Prepared for export – Transmitting the sender’s export declaration and obtaining an export permit
Visit the cargo-partner website for additional details, or get in touch with us for an in-depth consultation!
The best transport mode for you will depend on a variety of factors. Costs, transit time, type of goods and shipment size, destination, security… All of these factors will play a role in choosing the best solution.
The “rules” that were in place prior to COVID-19 are no longer relevant in light of the challenges that the logistics industry has faced over the last two years. Closures of cities, ports, and border crossings, lack of drivers, heavy traffic, and the imbalance of supply and demand have significantly influenced the available transport options and their costs.
Taking all this into consideration, we provide a comparison of sea and road transport below, examining the benefits and drawbacks of each transport mode.
Sea Cargo
Advantages of sea freight:
- Suitable for a wide range of goods
- Most environment-friendly
- Worldwide coverage
- Several carriers to choose from
- Shipment security – the container protects your goods from risks like theft, loss of quality, fire or extremely high and low temperatures
Pricing for sea freight shipments differs according to whether you are transporting a full container load (FCL) or less than a container load (LCL). Full containers usually come at a standard price. If you are shipping less than one container, the price will be charged per cubic meter. This makes shipping by sea freight one of the most cost-effective options – not only for large and heavy goods, but also for smaller shipments.
You’ve probably heard the expression “time is money”. Depending on your shipment, this may or may not be accurate. If the orders are received in a timely manner, sea freight can be a viable option due to its low price. A ship’s journey can take up to a month or more, but technology is developing rapidly and ships are becoming faster, so you may even achieve transit times as short as 8 days.
However, if your shipment is time-sensitive, road transport may be the better option.
Road Transport
Despite being the most popular transport mode, road transport has its drawbacks. Trucks can only transport cargo of a specific height and weight. Another disadvantage is their sensitivity to weather, road conditions, and traffic jams.
But transporting your goods by truck also has many benefits:
- Cost-effectiveness for short routes
- Fast and reliable delivery
- Flexibility
- Door-to-door service
- Ideal for short distances and domestic distribution
In addition to all of the above, the destination of the delivery is equally significant. For a long-distance journey, you will most likely choose a ship or a combination of ship and truck. For short distances within Europe, you will probably choose road transport – but there might be another possibility.
Short sea solutions can be an alternative for European destinations. Large shipments can be transported by ship to destinations like Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Scandinavia. In some cases, a ship may even be the only option due to the numerous regulations and paperwork required for road transportation.
In conclusion, there is no one perfect option and we recommend consulting experts when making the decision between sea and road transport. Our team at cargo-partner will gladly guide you in the selection process and identify the best option for your company.
Visit the cargo-partner website for additional information, or contact us for an in-depth consultation!
cargo-partner | transport + iLogistics
The USA is among the most powerful and prosperous economies in the world. Serbian companies can successfully advertise a wide range of services and goods to consumers in this market, and the amount of items being imported and exported to and from the country is constantly rising.
If you want to export goods from Serbia to the USA, you will first need to educate yourself about the customs processes. The best option for you will depend on the urgency and size of your shipment as well as the transport costs you are willing to pay. Export to the USA is typically done via air or sea freight.
Sending products to North America by ship is one of the most cost-effective options if your shipment is not urgent, especially for large and heavy shipments. Shipping containers are also very flexible when it comes to different types of goods. They can carry the widest range of items, including industrial products, automobiles, perishable goods, various kinds of liquids, chemicals, and more.
The main benefits of container shipping to the USA are:
- Security – the container shields your goods from outside harm and security hazards, including theft, loss of quality, fire, extremely high and low temperatures etc.
- Quick delivery with relatively low transportation costs
- Flexibility and variety of goods that can be carried, depending on their size
Full container loads (FCL) are the most efficient option. However, if you have lower transport volumes, you can also choose consolidated transport via less than container load (LCL) services. Hiring a trustworthy partner for your transports is vital in both situations.
As a global logistics provider, cargo-partner serves all ports in the USA and provides decades of expertise in sea freight. We offer a range of transport options to the “land of opportunity”.
Transports to or from Serbia are typically routed through the port of Rijeka, but for Southern Europe, the port of Thessaloniki in Greece is also an option. The German ports of Hamburg and Bremerhaven, along with the Greek port of Piraeus, provide additional flexibility in terms of transit times. Our cargo-partner teams at each of these ports in Europe ensure fast and efficient handling of sea freight transports to the USA.
Thanks to our network of own offices and long-standing partners as well as our excellent relationships with shippers, we can create a customized solution for each client. A group of professionals will not only give you all the information you need about the customs clearance process, but will also help you decide which approach is best for your company.
Contact our experts for more information!
Best regards,
cargo-partner | transport + iLogistics
