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Transportation & Logistics

What is Elastic Logistics?

Last Updated on February 21, 2022 By Ayesha Saeed Leave a Comment

Elastic logistics has become a popular paradigm for warehousing and transportation services as technological improvements and automation solutions become more prevalent throughout the supply chain industry.

Essentially, elastic logistics refers to the ability of businesses to be flexible and agile in the face of the altering demands of the supply chain industry. With this approach in place, an elastic supply chain provides the most flexible response to varying market demands, guaranteeing that operational infrastructure meets market variations cost-effectively at any moment.

So, what exactly is elastic logistics, and what are its benefits?

Table of Contents

  • What is elastic logistics?
  • Benefits of Elastic Logistics
  • What Businesses need to implement Elastic Logistics?
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Big Data
    • Blockchain
    • People

What is elastic logistics?

Elastic logistics refers to a business approach that is flexible and swift enough to scale up or down in response to changing market demands. This enables supply chain processes to expand or contract in real-time, based on anticipated (and even unanticipated) market events.

space-wood-deliver-logistics

Typically, elastic logistics use mechanization processes in both picking and packing, including forcing warehousing and logistics to further make more supply-led decisions. This never-ending supply-driven expansion and contraction of warehouse activities allow for increased reliable financial control. In addition, the model of elastic logistics enables companies to operate supply chains more competently in the wake of market fluctuations.

All in all, the ultimate goal of any business lies in trying to minimize their expenses, control waste and have better control of their inventory requirements. Elastic logistics fall into this category of lean business. But, it also helps bridge gaps unlike many businesses that suffer in warehousing and middle- and last-mile operations.

Benefits of Elastic Logistics

  • Optimizes transport routes for faster shipment delivery and increased transport efficiency
  • Minimises the practice of over-developing and over-stocking
  • Decreases the chances of risk
  • Boosts order fulfillment
  • Reduces price instability
  • Increases efficacy at various checkpoints of supply chain
  • Improves customer service

What Businesses need to implement Elastic Logistics?

Here are the key features businesses need to successfully implement the model of elastic logistics:

Artificial Intelligence

AI enables in predicting and estimating costs, risks, and demands. With the help of real-time data analysis, machine learning is one of the finest ways to anticipate the unexpected and determine demand with accurate detail. 

Big Data

Inaccurate or imperfect data can cause big data analysis to be essentially fruitless. This effectively defeats the purpose of elastic logistics as well as its scalability. Therefore, having ample quality, verified and accurate data is vital for business models to work successfully.

Blockchain

Blockchain technology is the best way to store all data. It can store every piece of data in sequence, allowing machine-learning robots to analyze, assist and predict in decision making. Besides, blockchain is emerging as the future of the supply chain, thanks to its ability to improve transparency as well as communication between all chain partners in the supply chain process.

People

An ever-growing fear among people is the probability of losing their jobs as the supply chain moves towards automation. However, the fact is that people continue to remain the most valuable resource companies have when it comes to supply chain improvement.

So, if businesses want an agile supply chain, they will require expert professionals who possess the know-how to make quick and effective decisions while also nurturing a strong working culture. When people work in sync with technology, elastic logistics can exceptionally thrive. 

This type of business model helps create greater sustainability by permitting warehousing and logistics teams to promptly deliver against tight deadlines, while also minimizing cost. Today, as many organizations are slowly heading towards improving their operations, the need to reduce costs and increase functional efficacy is greatly increasing to remain competitive. This is why elastic logistics is becoming a need for modern production.

ayesha saeed
Ayesha Saeed

A happy mom, professional article writer, SEO practitioner, blogger, guest blogger & freelancer. She’s been in digital marketing since 2018. She loves reading books and spending time with her family.

Filed Under: Transportation & Logistics

Things You Need to Know About Air Freight Shipping

Last Updated on February 22, 2022 By Ayesha Saeed Leave a Comment

Air freight shipping is the ideal solution to transport high-value shipments on a commercial air carrier. These goods are usually imported through a logistics company and make a practical option for shipping products of all shapes and sizes. Now, to import a large number of products for organizations or individuals, these freight shipping companies, such as DHL Express arrange and gathers the shipments of those items both globally and locally. DHL freight then takes up the role of the freight shipping carrier for importing those products.

To have a complete understanding of air freight shipping, it is broken down into three different types.

Table of Contents

  • Three different types of air freight shipping
    • Commercial or passenger planes
    • Cargo planes
    • Air charters
  • Benefits of air freight shipping
    • It’s safer and secure
    • It’s the quickest mode of shipping
  • It’s cost-effective
    • It’s accurate
  • Things to keep in mind while using air freight

Three different types of air freight shipping

Commercial or passenger planes

Several passenger planes can also carry light cargo and earn a significant amount of money by delivering air freight. The belly of the plane can hold both palletized and containerized freight. Shipping via these passenger planes results in cost-effectiveness as these commercial flights travel to numerous destinations in a day. However, the number of restrictions for such goods is higher on these flights because the freight is being shipped on a passenger plane. Many airlines check the size and weight of such shipments and even the destination in many cases.

airport-prior-to-plane-air-traffic

Cargo planes

Since cargo planes are designed to carry heavier freight, they can carry a lot more goods than commercial planes can. On average, cargo planes can handle about 26,000 cubic feet of cargo. These planes are not meant for carrying passengers and have fewer restrictions as compared to commercial flights.

DHL’s freight forwarding services provide plenty of options to match your budget, delivery necessities, as well as the weight and size of your freight.

Air charters

Air charters are generally used during emergencies or dire situations. In this type of shipping method, you rent a charter plane to only take your freight to the destination you want it to go to. While this type of freight shipping is the quickest and shortest way to send your goods, it can also incur a significant amount of money. This is because your air freight forwarders don’t have layovers or external interferences in most cases.

Benefits of air freight shipping

It’s safer and secure

Air freight is the most secure and safest option for transporting sensitive goods. So, unless your flight is facing inclement weather, air cargo travel is smoother and safer than sea or truck transport. This results in fewer damages.

It’s the quickest mode of shipping

Unless the weather conditions are unfavorable, air freight is the quickest mode of shipment. In air freight shipping, you have the option to get your shipment at the location you want it to be, including same-day service. It also helps deliver time-sensitive shipments without any delays.

It’s cost-effective

Initially, air freight shipping may appear to be expensive, but there are many factors that make it cost-effective.

  • Air freight does not need heavy packaging or the need to be stored in a container.
  • The packing costs are lower and container rental isn’t required.
  • There is reduced overhead with air freight shipping.
  • Since your freight gets expedited, it eliminates the need to warehouse or store it.

It’s accurate

Freight shipping is accurate. That’s because flights depart and directly arrive at the destinations at their set times. There’s no midway stopping to browse a tourist spot. Therefore, it’s easy to check the status of your freight. And since you’re dealing in hours instead of days, the opportunity of errors are lesser.

Things to keep in mind while using air freight

  1. Social factors: The social as well as regional factors play a key role in determining the cost of air freight. Conditions such as work strikes, war, agitation, pandemics, and even terrorism activities can reduce the demand and make it costlier for air freight forwarders to work in that area.
  2. Working costs: This depends on a number of factors and one important cause being the cost of fuel. If the fuel costs are low and are likely to stay low for some time, then it can majorly affect the working expenses. This cost gets reflected in the delivery rates.
  3. Financial factors: Economic factors can directly impact your exports and imports. For instance, in bull economies, the interest rate for air freight shipping can exceed limits which can prompt more significant expenses. 

DHL for one makes sure that your shipment arrives safely and on time regardless of the kind of freight it is.

ayesha saeed
Ayesha Saeed

A happy mom, professional article writer, SEO practitioner, blogger, guest blogger & freelancer. She’s been in digital marketing since 2018. She loves reading books and spending time with her family.

Filed Under: Transportation & Logistics

Understanding the Hidden Costs of International Shipping

Last Updated on July 14, 2022 By Ayesha Saeed Leave a Comment

Whether you are shipping personal effects or a collector vehicle overseas, your shipment will get past a certain check post that will require you to fulfill certain rules and regulations of international shipping. As much as complying with those rules will help expedite your package, learning the costs involved will also save you from spending an extravagant amount of money.

It is because sometimes certain hidden costs can catch you by surprise. Therefore, it is important to plan and do thorough research before shipping.

Here are a few crucial elements to keep in mind if you want to obtain a better idea of where these fees might be applied.

Shipping Related Costs

  • When you are shipping with express couriers, you may need to pay the overhead for the fuel surcharge. This varies monthly or weekly depending on the country and is measured as a percentage of the shipping fees. Thus, keep an eye on their fluctuations because they can have a big impact on your bills.
  • Selecting value-added services for your shipments, such as insurance in the event of loss or damage or delivery outside of normal business hours can cost a bit more than your ordinary shipping needs.
  • Sometimes, certain surcharges are applied depending on the pickup location. This is commonly referred to as a remote region surcharge indicating that these areas are outside of your chosen couriers’ typical collection path.
  • Delivery retries, address correction costs, and occasionally even return fees are all areas where you may be charged extra. So, be very careful when you are filing your paperwork to avoid these unnecessary costs.
  • When it comes to costs, it is best to go with a logistics and shipping company that is not necessarily the cheapest. When it comes to supply and logistics companies, pricing is directly proportional to the level of quality you should expect. While you do not have to break the bank and go with the most expensive choice, going for the cheapest one does not make sense either!

Package Related Costs

  • Not all shipments are of the same nature and may require extra care or handling when shipping overseas. Such is the case when you are shipping fragile or dangerous goods. You will almost always be charged an extra fee, which is commonly calculated as a percentage of the shipping expenses or the value of the items.
  • Some couriers charge an additional fee depending on the material and shape of your containers. Therefore, be prepared to spend a little extra in case your courier charges you for the material of the container you are shipping.
  • Surcharges may apply if your package exceeds a courier’s specified dimensions or weight. You may be penalised for having an oversized item or a large parcel if the length of your parcel exceeds a certain limit.

Tariff Related Costs

Under-declaring the items of your shipments on the commercial invoice is a mistake you should avoid at all costs. If customs clearing agencies feel that the claimed value is less than the market value, they may request a fresh invoice, resulting in a slew of additional fees. The shipment may remain in customs if they do not get the amended commercial invoice in a timely way, resulting in warehouse storage fees. In addition, the courier may charge you a fee if your items are undervalued.

Now that you’re aware of the hidden costs and extra charges that can occur when shipping overseas, you’ll be able to budget for them appropriately. With DHL Express courier service, you don’t have to worry about the hassle and hidden costs when it comes to international shipping. Additionally, DHL also offers preferential rates to customers that meet the requirements of their business.

ayesha saeed
Ayesha Saeed

A happy mom, professional article writer, SEO practitioner, blogger, guest blogger & freelancer. She’s been in digital marketing since 2018. She loves reading books and spending time with her family.

Filed Under: Transportation & Logistics

Navigating Winter Roads Like A Pro

Last Updated on February 2, 2022 By Tristan D. Porter Leave a Comment

Winter has now taken full grip of the country, with many locations reporting snowstorm after snowstorm. Driving in unpredictable weather conditions takes a higher level of skill than summer driving. Drivers must re-learn how to drive in nearly every situation: blizzard, light snow, icy, and sleet/wet conditions. 

Driving in treacherous conditions takes a toll not just on the driver, but also on the car. The below-freezing temperatures can drain the battery and deflate tires. Snow, sleet, and salt can work toward turning small rust spots into large rust spots. Windshield wipers can tear when they glide over ice on the windshield, and brakes are used more frequently, leading to increased wear.

The first step in navigating winter roads like a pro is to be certain you have the best car insurance coverage by gathering car insurance quotes online. With the peace of mind of securing discount auto insurance from a reputable provider and knowledge that you are covered for any winter possibility, you can drive with more confidence while saving money. Ensure your policy accurately reflects the needs of you and your family.

Fully insured? Great, now let’s prepare by following these steps and tips.

Winter Roads Like A Pro

Table of Contents

  • Planning Ahead
  • Allow Extra Time
  • Reduce Your Speed
  • Use a Lower Gear
  • Never use Cruise Control
  • Respect the Snowplow
  • Watch the Forecast
  • Defrost First
  • Know the Braking Basics
  • Stay Calm

Planning Ahead

Before getting started on any winter travel, stock your car with essentials that you might need if you are stranded or get into an accident. 

  • Extra blanket(s)
  • Hats, gloves, scarves
  • Cell phone charger
  • Nonperishable snacks
  • Sand or kitty litter for traction
  • Snow shovel and ice scraper
  • Flashlight
  • Jumper cables
  • First aid kit

Allow Extra Time

Rest assured; it will be necessary for you to take extra time to get to your destination. Whether it is obvious that the weather and road conditions are bad or not, winter is fickle and can throw a mini blizzard your way on a whim. You can get caught in traffic, behind slower vehicles, behind a snowplow or be forced to drive especially slow because of ice. Take 45 minutes for a normal 30-minute drive.

Reduce Your Speed

Not taking road conditions like ice and snow into account can be a fatal mistake. Black ice may be present on bridges and overpasses, and you could very quickly lose control of your car. Losing control is less likely to culminate in an accident if you’re going slow enough to manage and process the startling shift.

Use a Lower Gear

If you start sliding on ice or snow, your vehicle will be less likely to accelerate if you already have it in a lower gear.

Never use Cruise Control

Save the cruise control for the summertime. The only good time to use cruise control is if you’re able to drive at a consistent speed. Situations such as snowy and icy roads, twisting roadways, or even heavy traffic are all times to keep it turned off.

Respect the Snowplow

It can be frustrating to get stuck behind a snowplow with no way around it but try and look at it positively. The road you are driving on is freshly plowed! If you must get around it, make sure there is ample space to do so, and don’t pull in front of the plow too close or quickly, as their blades extend farther than you might realize.

Watch the Forecast

Most activities can be forfeited or rescheduled for another day if the weather is supposed to be lousy. The best thing to do if bad weather is imminent is to stay home, warm and cozy, and enjoy the snow from your easy chair, instead!

Defrost First

The two most common reasons why people get into car accidents are reduced visibility and speed. Cold weather can cover windows in a thick fog, so take the time to warm your car and defrost the windows. This way, you know your visibility is not at all limited.

Know the Braking Basics

If the front wheels lock up, let the steering wheel turn freely, take your foot off the accelerator, and shift into neutral. Slowly begin to steer the vehicle the right way as the vehicle slows down. If the rear wheels lock up, take your foot off of the gas pedal and turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the front wheels to go. Anti-lock brakes will need steady pressure, while standard brakes require a gentle pump action.

Stay Calm

Cool heads prevail when something goes awry on the road. Don’t make any sudden maneuvers. Let up off the accelerator and take a moment to process the situation so you can make the best next step.

d porter
Tristan D. Porter

I am Tristan who loves to ride and spend time with my jenny (horse) and my love Mark. After completing my graduation, I have been working as an accountant in a private firm in Cologne.

Filed Under: Transportation & Logistics

Looking For Easy Extra Income? 7 Ways to Earn Money With A Pick-Up Truck

Last Updated on February 19, 2022 By Jason Obrien Leave a Comment

When it comes to working vehicles, there are none more reliable than a pickup truck. With powerful engines, flatbeds, and the ability to tow heavy trailers and machinery, pickup trucks are the go-to vehicle to get any job done. Pickup trucks are one of the versatile vehicles on the road today, and with a little hard work, they can help you make tons of money.

The following are all the most profitable business ideas that you can start immediately, as soon as you acquire a truck: for side hustles, you may want to consider renting one instead of purchasing one, especially if your budget is tight at first. Whether you are looking to make some extra with a side hustle or start a new career, here are the best ways you can start making money with your pickup truck today.

Table of Contents

  • Junk Hauling Service
  • Construction Work
  • Moving Service
  • Delivery Service
  • Landscaping Company
  • Towing Services
  • Snow Plowing
  • Resell Items
  • Start Making Money Today

Junk Hauling Service

You’d be surprised how much money people are willing to pay to get their old furniture and belongings out of their house. Take away everything from mattresses, desks, filing cabinets, and more. All you need to do is load up the truck, drop it off at your local dump, and you can make a nice chunk of change while offering a helpful service.

Construction Work

One of the obvious ways to make money with a pickup truck is by working in construction. Pickup trucks are the perfect vehicles to carry heavy tools, equipment, and materials. Consider starting your own construction company or looking up odd jobs on online service websites like craigslist.

Moving Service

Professional moving companies can be expensive, and many people aren’t willing to pay such high prices, especially if they are just moving down the street or across the city. Using your pickup truck, you can provide affordable moving service to your friends or family that are looking to relocate. With a pickup truck, you can fit almost everything in the back of the bed so you can make fewer trips between houses.

Delivery Service

More and more people are shopping online, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, delivery drivers are in high demand. Luckily, a pickup truck can serve as the perfect delivery vehicle. Consider delivering furniture, appliances, packages, and food. You can even sign up to work with major companies like Amazon and use your own truck. Since trucks have a ton of storage space, you can hold more deliveries than the average vehicle and essentially make more money.

Landscaping Company

Another great way to make some consistent cash flow with a pickup truck is to start a landscaping business. Like construction, you’ll have enough room and torque to carry heavy tools, lawnmowers, and materials. An easy way to break into the landscaping industry is to offer easy services like mulching beds, cleaning up leaves, and planting flowers.

Towing Services

Sometimes people rent trailers or boats for the day but don’t have the right vehicle to tow them with. Using your pickup truck, you can offer your services as an easy way to make some extra cash.

Snow Plowing

Trucks are known for both their versatility and durability. Why not use that to your advantage? If you live in an area that gets heavy snowfall in the winter, consider buying a plow and starting a snow removal service. People are willing to pay top dollar not to have to shovel their driveways. The best part is you will only have to work once it snows, and you can make a full week’s paycheck in one day.

Resell Items

A creative way to earn some money on the side is reselling used items. Use your pickup truck and drive around to different yard sales and look for the best deals. Using a pickup truck allows you to buy more items and larger things people can’t carry in a regular car. You can then easily fix them up and sell them for a profit on eBay, craigslist, or the Facebook marketplace.

Start Making Money Today

There is nothing like earning a little cash on the side to push your way towards financial freedom. There are plenty of lucrative ways to use your pickup truck today.

Jason Obrien

Jason is the Marketing Manager at a local advertising company in Australia. He moved to Australia 10 years back for his passion for advertising. Jason recently joined BFA as a volunteer writer and contributes by sharing his valuable experience and knowledge.

Filed Under: Investment & Money, Transportation & Logistics

What You Can Expect from a Fulfilment Service: A Look at the Step-by-Step Process of Fulfilment

Last Updated on September 20, 2021 By Jason Obrien Leave a Comment

Ecommerce fulfilment services have become the best friend of many an e-commerce company. It has proven its merit in fulfilling orders across the country (and even the globe), shipping them, and making sure they arrive at their destination as promptly as possible. Once your customers finalise their purchases, your e-commerce fulfilment partner can take charge of the fulfilment process, and it is indeed a necessary element in your supply chain.

Aside from storing your product inventory, the fulfilment company will process the order, pick and pack the product, and transport or ship it to your customer. Your e-commerce fulfilment partner will ensure a much more streamlined process, and if you may already know, this takes a lot of work and effort. But if you are not completely sure of what you can expect from a fulfilment service, here’s a look at the step-by-step process of fulfilling an order.

Table of Contents

  • Step 1: Receiving the order
  • Step 2: requirements for storage
  • Step 3: order processing
  • Step 4: shipment
  • Step 5: returning items

Step 1: Receiving the order

The first step relates to inventory, and for the fulfilment company to take care of orders, you need to have enough inventory for your products for the fulfilment company to have what they need. Your fulfilment provider should already have the stock on-hand in their facility or warehouse, so once they receive an order, they can begin fulfilling it

Step 2: requirements for storage

Your fulfilment company should have proper warehousing for your goods, and they need to make sure that your inventory is stored in an organised and easily accessible manner. It would be best to have a dedicated location or area for each product, and your fulfilment partner is responsible for keeping your products visible and secure.

Step 3: order processing

Once the fulfilment provider receives an order, it’s time to pick and pack it. They will be responsible for picking it from the warehouse and packing it for delivery or shipment. They should have a packing slip containing information about the location and quantity of the product, along with packing customisations and requirements.

Step 4: shipment

When the fulfilment service has attached the shipping label, the package is ready for shipping to your customer or merchant. You can have the packages delivered to a specific home address, a post office, a courier branch, or a fulfilment centre. The shipment should come with tracking details, allowing your fulfilment partner to keep track of it and update you and the recipient on the parcel’s real-time whereabouts.

Step 5: returning items

Your e-commerce fulfilment partner doesn’t just take responsibility for delivery – they can also take charge of and handle returns. It’s not often, but sometimes customers may want to return an item. If this happens, make sure your fulfilment partner can deal with returns. For returns, customers will send back the item, and when the item is sent back, your e-commerce fulfilment partner can evaluate it and determine why it was returned. They will inform you of their findings, and you can then decide whether to dispose of the product or restock it in your product inventory.

Whilst these steps are crucial, remember that speed is of the essence – once you receive an order, your fulfilment partner should act on it right away. When you have a solid fulfilment process, it secures your business’ standing with your customers as well.

Jason Obrien

Jason is the Marketing Manager at a local advertising company in Australia. He moved to Australia 10 years back for his passion for advertising. Jason recently joined BFA as a volunteer writer and contributes by sharing his valuable experience and knowledge.

Filed Under: Transportation & Logistics

6 Things To Consider When Planning A Shipping Business

Last Updated on August 12, 2021 By Tristan D. Porter Leave a Comment

Starting your own shipping company is a good idea as there’ll still be a demand for your services years from now. The peak of the shipping industry is here to stay, but before you dive in, you should think about whether you’re well-equipped to enter the market as a business. You’ll have to compete with larger companies, so how can you be the best? What should you include in your plans?

These are a few of the important things you should remember when you start your shipping company:

Table of Contents

  • Cargo Handling
  • Legalities
  • Insurance
  • Proposed Delivery Speed
  • Projected Price of Service
  • Your Niche
  • Conclusion

Cargo Handling

Exporting

Have you thought about how you’re going to train your staff regarding the best practices of cargo handling? You need to think about this before you launch your company. People are going to be trusting you with both sensitive and fragile goods, so you need to be ready.

As a shipping business, you should acquire all equipment that’ll make cargo handling easy. A pallet, for instance, should be one of the first things you should buy as your business equipment. You can check out suppliers such as Challenger Pallet & Supply and others to choose the type of pallets your business needs.

Legalities

The legal aspects are crucial when you’re starting a shipping business, and it’s a must to ensure all requirements are met. You need to be fully authorized to run the company and have no legal obstacles. This is an important point to remember because you could find yourself in serious trouble if you don’t.

You must have all the necessary files to make sure your goods and business are safe. In this regard, a bill of lading is one of the most important documents you should be familiar with. It’s an official document that proves you have goods under your care and custody belonging to somebody else.

Insurance

You should also consider the insurance you’ll need for your shipping business. You must ensure that you’re fully covered against all losses. Be sure to cover both your customers and your cargo.

Proposed Delivery Speed

manage exporting

The speed of delivery is another important consideration. Shipping companies should be able to deliver packages quickly to any place in a limited amount of time. If you’re thinking about starting a shipping business, it’s important to consider the speed at which your company will deliver packages, as well as the shipping challenges you might face. This will allow you to plan and keep up with local businesses.

Projected Price of Service

Another thing to think about when you start a shipping business is the cost of your services. Your company must be able to stand out from others. There are many shipping companies on the market, so competition can be fierce. You must find a way to offer better services to your customers for less money while still being profitable.

Your Niche

Many entrepreneurs think they must create a service that serves everyone for them to be profitable. In reality, that turns out to be a gross mistake. You’ll be able to better serve a group if you define who you’re trying to serve. You’ll be serving a market segment that’s well-defined in your mind, so it’s easy to know what they want the most.

Before you begin your shipping service, you should define yourself as a business. There are many shipping options you can choose from. Here’s a list to help you plan:

  • Freight forwarding is the service of moving goods from one place to another. This could include moving trucks with products, materials, or cargo ships. The freight forwarders act as an intermediary between the shipper and the trucking company. They receive the shipment and then handle all the logistics.
  • Logistic service involves the transportation of goods by trucks. This service is great for providing fast delivery to local customers. It may be worth hiring your own drivers depending on the goods as some require special skills not taught in the driver training classes. GPS tracking can be an investment to make sure your trucks deliver the goods on time.
  • Dropship distribution is the delivery of products to customers without having to own them or buy them yourself. In this business model, the seller is simply the conduit between manufacturer and client. You can specialize in order fulfillment service for these clients.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the many factors you need to know when starting a shipping business. In the few months before you launch your business, research is going to be key, so do as much of it as possible. In this way, you won’t be surprised by anything if you know how it all works. Consider the ideas mentioned here as you plan and prepare.

d porter
Tristan D. Porter

I am Tristan who loves to ride and spend time with my jenny (horse) and my love Mark. After completing my graduation, I have been working as an accountant in a private firm in Cologne.

Filed Under: Business, Transportation & Logistics

Exporting to EU After Brexit: What We Know So Far

Last Updated on August 5, 2021 By Jason Obrien Leave a Comment

The UK as an ex-member of the EU is presently allowed to avail favored market rights to 40 countries from 70. Keep in mind that those 40 countries trade with the EU already.

If there would be no new contracts to make up for the preceding losses in the business industry, the UK will have to follow the tariffs rules imposed by the World Trade Organization. Negotiations are ongoing to avoid Britain from suffering massive losses in merchandise trades.

If you are planning Exporting to EU, after Brexit, then you must know and follow the below points:

after brexit

Table of Contents

  • Be Sure to Get EORI
  • Create Export Statement
  • Check the Payments
  • Know the Rules
  • Check VAT Procedure
  • Be Sure to Transfer Goods Properly

Be Sure to Get EORI

As an entrepreneur, you need to ensure that your company has an EORI number. To keep on importing your products to the UK, a 12-digit number called EORI beginning with GB is a must-have. If your company does not own any EORI number, there may be delays and higher costs when you import goods and commodities. However, if your business is service-centered, then EORI will not be a requirement.

If you are trading in the EU for your company’s products, there would be a requirement of an EU EORI. If you don’t have any number with this name, then you should apply for it at the customs office of any EU member country. For the time being, it is possible to have alternate ways of exporting goods.

For example, the top 3 Italian exports are metals, machinery, and textiles. Learn more about this, reading this article about Italy’s exports. Until the Brexit period ends, it is very convenient to export products, but after that, the rules would be even more difficult in terms of weight, or quantity.

Create Export Statement

To create an export statement, you can employ a special agent or expert. Even if you are capable enough, you can do it yourself too.

  • Freight agents can help you deliver goods all over the world, and even help you clear customs at the borders.
  • If you opt for presenting an export statement to customs by yourself, then be mindful of three key factors when exporting goods from the UK. Those 3 keys are:
  1. How to create?
  2. When to create?
  3. Which documents should you have for custom clearance?

Check the Payments

If you export products and commodities from the UK to any member country of the EU, the EU importer should pay duty taxes for the products and commodities to be received. The amount of taxes and fees payable depends on the type of products exported.

Know the Rules

You have to see the guidelines about exporting different goods. For example, you will need a license for exporting goods like tobacco, etc.

Check VAT Procedure

The VAT procedure is going to change after Brexit. Therefore, you need to see and plan how you can claim it from the EU members.

Be Sure to Transfer Goods Properly

Containers

In the post-Brexit period, you can use a representative/contractor to ship your goods out of the UK at any time, but if you ship by yourself, you must get an operator license to transport the goods without any hurdle at the border.

Your queries about exporting goods to the EU after Brexit are always welcomed. Drop your message for us or ask in the comments below!

Jason Obrien

Jason is the Marketing Manager at a local advertising company in Australia. He moved to Australia 10 years back for his passion for advertising. Jason recently joined BFA as a volunteer writer and contributes by sharing his valuable experience and knowledge.

Filed Under: Business, Transportation & Logistics

Top 7 Business Shipping Challenges And How To Address Them

Last Updated on July 24, 2021 By Jason Obrien Leave a Comment

For many businesses, it’s never easy to get their products shipped to their customers. In fact, there are various things that can go wrong when it comes to business shipping. For instance, aside from dealing with hefty fees, business owners may deal with damaged products and lost packages.

Fortunately, there’s a solution for every business shipping challenge. One of these solutions includes finding the best customs broker to help you expedite your shipment’s customs clearance.

Other than that, to help you avoid customer complaints regarding your shipments and solve your biggest shipping concerns quickly, below are the common shipping challenges and ways to address them effectively:

Table of Contents

  • Shipping Delays
    • External Delays
    • Internal Delays
  • Damaged Items During Shipping Or Handling
  • Order Returned
  • Route Disruptions
  • Customers Refuse The Delivery
  • Expensive Shipping Costs
  • Unexpected International Fees
  • Conclusion

Shipping Delays

Shipping

One of the toughest and most common shipping challenges for businesses is delays. There are several reasons why delays happen. Often, delays are classified into two forms, which are internal delays and external delays.

External Delays

When it comes to external delays, they’re typically due to some factors, such as delivery vehicle breakdown, poor weather conditions, and heavy traffic. In this kind of delay, there’s nothing you can do to resolve such issues.

That’s why some companies have created solutions, like delivering products via drone. However, such solutions aren’t practical. So, the only best way to address it is to inform your customers as soon as possible about the possibility of shipment delays.

Internal Delays

Internal delays, on the contrary, are something you can control if you’re aware of them. For example, you can prepare your items as usual without any customization. With this, you can easily hand them over to your preferred shipping couriers.

If you’re planning to send packages to other countries, be sure to prepare the important documents required by the customs to improve your business’s delivery process. This is because authorities may put your shipments on hold if you don’t have the right documents.

Damaged Items During Shipping Or Handling

Transport conatianers

As a business owner, you should be aware of the harsh conditions in most shipping streams. The forces that shipments may face as they’re loaded in the ships, trucks, and planes are greater than what they’re experiencing when sitting at your home or business location.

To resolve this problem, have a proper crating and packaging scheme in place. If your items are packed or placed in shipping crates well, the risk of damage is reduced.

Order Returned

Even if the possibility of this shipping challenge is rare, business owners may feel uneasy once their orders are returned. The situation can be much tougher to decipher if you have an inexperienced or unorganized order management system. In addition, you can miss some of your orders if your warehouse is big or if you’re dealing with countless orders every day.

Also, if you use third-party shipping carriers for your business shipments, you’ll need to contact them to find your packages. If you’re out of luck, the search might take several days, weeks, or even months.

To avoid this frustrating situation, you should always keep in touch with your chosen delivery agent. Luckily, there are some shipping plugins you can use to track your shipments in real-time. This kind of feature has different order status checkpoints, which will keep both shipping carriers and business owners aware in case an order was lost or misplaced.

Route Disruptions

Some things outside your control may affect shipping routes. Political unrest, pandemic, and natural disasters are some of them. While such events are unpredictable and can’t be prevented, think of other ways to deal with them.

For instance, you can work with the best shipping logistics service providers that monitor every event that may affect their shipping routes. If problems arise, they’ll take advantage of their industry contacts to change the path of their shipments to avoid any possible trouble in the long run.

Customers Refuse The Delivery

Even if it’s uncommon, there are instances wherein some customers don’t pay their orders and would often request to return them. This may happen for some typical justifications, such as when customers made the wrong placement or the items they received were damaged or incorrect.

Regardless of the case, it’s never simple to manage returns. The reason behind it is that you need to get the orders back, unpack your items, and place them back in your inventory. Handling returns may also cost you time and money.

To avoid losing resources and lessen the hassle, you can make a minimum order limit for cash on delivery (COD) products and charge fees to customers if they refuse to accept the orders. This is necessary as it can help prevent damage to your revenues and avoid future delivery refusals.

Expensive Shipping Costs

For both business owners and customers, shipping is never cheap. Generally, the cost of shipping packages may depend on some factors, like how much the packages weigh, where they’re going, and how fast they need to be delivered. Unfortunately, several businesses don’t know how to handle expensive shipping costs.

To avoid paying a high shipping cost, one of the options you can consider is to let your customers pay for it. When you charge your customers for shipping, you’ll allow them to order your items without the need to worry about your profit margins.

However, it isn’t always a good idea because some customers don’t like expensive shipping costs. So, you might want to charge your customers a flat rate and affordable shipping fee to reduce the shipping costs and avoid driving your customers away. Just make sure to consult your shipping company regarding the costs, so you and your customers won’t be surprised by the charges.

Unexpected International Fees

Unlike domestic shipping, international shipping is more expensive since the packages have to be transported in far places. In addition to that, international shipments are subject to local taxes and duties. For this reason, some businesses get rid of international shipping as much as possible. However, if you want to serve customers globally, you need to deal with international shipping.

Therefore, instead of eliminating international shipping from your business, be clear with the policies involved with it, so your customers will be aware of the possible extra fees they need to pay for international shipping.

Conclusion

To provide excellent customer service, it’s essential to be aware of the common business shipping challenges and the best ways to resolve them. With this in mind, you’ll be able to impress your customers by handling shipping issues with grace. Plus, you can ship your products or items with confidence. Just make sure to continue planning and improving your shipping strategies to provide the best possible shipping experience to your customers.

Jason Obrien

Jason is the Marketing Manager at a local advertising company in Australia. He moved to Australia 10 years back for his passion for advertising. Jason recently joined BFA as a volunteer writer and contributes by sharing his valuable experience and knowledge.

Filed Under: Transportation & Logistics

What You Need to Know About DVR Trucking

Last Updated on August 12, 2021 By Denis Woods 1 Comment

Technological advantages keep on getting better. It is safe to say that many of these innovations are responsible for getting us to our present world. Thanks to tech, modern trucks fit the description of moving computer networks featuring endless opportunities to collect and transmit data. If you want to get digital video recorders (DVR) for your fleet, you need to know more about the component and what it offers.

Video recorders offer enhanced protection and refuge for commercial vehicles. The information in this article explains how DVR trucking is beneficial for fleet owners and their businesses.

Table of Contents

  • Protection from Fraudulent Insurance Cases
  • Prevent Vehicle Theft
  • Identify Poor Driving Practices
  • Cost-Effective
  • Collect Real-Time Data
  • Conclusion

Protection from Fraudulent Insurance Cases

If you have never had experience with fraudulent insurance claims, you are aware that it is a way for insurance firms to minimize their risks and expenses. Fitting digital video recorders in your trucks make it easy to fight off malicious claims and protect the reputation of your fleet agency. Footage from the surveillance system comes in handy as evidence in refuting the allegations from the insurance firm. It also helps build trust between the driver and agency since they are protected from the claims.

Prevent Vehicle Theft

DVR can relay a live feed, which prevents thefts and other inconveniences. For instance, the data compiled by the digital video recorders can help firms retrieve stolen vehicles. Both external and internal video recorders assist with blind spot functions such as reversing. Without a surveillance system, knowing the activities of your vehicles is impossible unless you trust your drivers.

Identify Poor Driving Practices

It isn’t easy to know if your drivers are giving full accounts of how the daily ventures. With a surveillance system in the vehicles, fleet owners can comfortably monitor how each staff member handles themselves on the job. Any form of dvr trucking helps fleet owners identify poor-performing or misbehaving drivers and their crew members.

Cost-Effective

With the information you get from DVR trucking, it is more natural to strategize and improve the company’s performance. Saving money is one of the most powerful means of boosting business functions. By eliminating all liabilities from the company, one can quickly get to optimal performance. Since surveillance systems offer security against numerous inconveniences, they are cost-effective fleet business features.

Collect Real-Time Data

Information gathering is a significant factor for many successful businesses. The ability to collect first-hand information comes in handy when fleet owners are looking to make business modifications. For instance, data from a particular vehicle can tell you more about how specific drivers perform. It makes it easy to pick out your best staff members and eliminate those making the company incur extra costs.

Conclusion

Investing in DVR trucking is an excellent way to keep tabs on one’s fleet of vehicles. You cannot fully trust employees unless you have experience working with them. The surveillance system helps fleet agencies improve the security of the workers and vehicles. However, to get the benefits mentioned above, you have to get a reliable fleet surveillance system.

Tech innovations in the business sector are helping entrepreneurs make progress faster than before. For fleet owners, DVR trucking solutions should help the company’s performance, worker’s productivity, and safety.

Denis Woods

Danis Woods in Businessman, investment banker and stock exchange traders. On the same time he loves writing financial blogs to shed lights on different aspects that new and existing businessman are not aware of.

Filed Under: Transportation & Logistics

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