warehousing

What Documents Are Needed for International Air Freight Shipping and Pick-Up?

Did you know that experts predict that airfreight will reach 63 million metric tons this year?

The popularity of air freight shipping is rising as businesses look to take advantage of its speed and efficiency.

However, air freight has its own list of documentation and terminology. This can be confusing for first-time airfreight customers. 

Why not take a minute to familiarize yourself with the documentation and vocabulary needed to air freight items internationally. You can learn everything you need from the article below.

1. Commercial Invoice

A good shipping company will provide daily services to even international destinations. However, this service is only possible if the documentation is correct and accounted for. 

The first document that a company will need is a Commercial Invoice. This will be a specific document that includes a breakdown of every item that they will ship. Alongside a definition of each item is the value of the item and the total value of the consignment. 

This document will also explain who the shipper and seller are and where they are based. The seller will use this documentation to prove ownership of the shipment. 

2. Consular Invoice

Many countries require a consular invoice as a measure to control and check the goods that are being imported. It allows a country to learn about and control goods before they arrive to an air or seaport. 

A company can obtain this document by purchasing it from the consulate of the country they will be shipping to. Often this document is prepared in the language of the country of the consulate. 

3. Certificate of Origin

Each country will have its own, or be part of, a trade relationship with the other country. This means that before the shipment leaves the ground, a document must be prepared that indicates which country it comes from. It may also show which trade agreements it is subject to. 

This document may be prepared by a non-governmental company. This document may still be requested by customs even though some of the information it contains is found on other documents. 

4. Electronic Export Information Document (EEI)

The US government is currently requiring that shipping companies file a copy of an Electronic Export Information document.

This is required by the US Census office and is used by the government to compile official statistics. This means that it is important for all shipping companies to file this document. It is required for all shipments over the value of $2,500 regardless of export license type or end-user. 

5. Bill of Lading

The bill of lading is the basic contract between the owner of the goods and the company hired to ship them. It contains information regarding the parties and the quantity and types of goods in the shipment. 

Upon arrival in the destination airfreight receiving location, the receiving party will usually need to provide the bill of lading in order to accept the goods. 

6. Export Packing List

There are obviously many details regarding the materials that are in the shipment that may not be required by the government. However, it would be in the best interests of all parties to provide these to handlers.

This could include information regarding the storage requirements for the goods, or the perishability of the goods.

This information is usually provided in the export packing list:

  • Cost of Shipping in US dollars
  • Address of the shipper
  • Company ID
  • Contact details for the consignee
  • Specification of the shipment and its needs
  • Quantity and Weight
  • Location and Origin

The shipper will often make important decisions on the basis of this information including how to manage its weight. 

Custom and border officials may well check the contents of this list against the shipment contents itself.

7. Inspection Certification

In some cases, you may need to arrange for a third party company to independently inspect the goods. They will provide an Inspection Certificate. This will confirm that the goods are really the goods stated on their paperwork.

To obtain this paperwork you will need to learn the destination country’s specific requirements. A testing company will then provide this certificate after inspection. 

8. Destination Control Statement

Since international trade is strictly conducted according to existing trade agreements, a goods certification will need to show compliance. An example of this is the Destination Control Statement. 

This statement indicates to all handlers that the item may only be exported to permitted to certain destinations.  

9. Other Documentation

The requirements of countries around the world may differ from one another. While for most major shipping destinations the above information is sufficient, there may be additional requirements for other locations. 

Examples of some documents that you might need include the following,

  • Dock receipt of handling
  • Warehouse receipt of handling
  • Insurance certificate for the entire journey
  • Export license
  • Certificate of Handling
  • Declaration of dangerous materials

A shipping company will inform you of what is required in advance. In fact, many will handle these steps for you providing you can provide the necessary information. 

Air Freight Shipping and Much More

If you are interested in increasing the efficiency of your supply chain, then we are here to help!

We specialize in affordable and fast shipping of commercial and personal goods. This means you will receive a personal service whether your shipment is tonnes of industrial equipment or a simple envelope. 

We leverage our years of experience in the shipping industry, including air freight shipping, to provide freight services. We are based in the Florida area. Why not get in touch or follow our blog to see how our services can benefit your business.

in Air Freight / Courier Service 0 comments

7 Things to Look for in a Quality Warehousing Service

Looking for a quality warehousing service? Wondering how to choose the best one for your needs?

Using quality warehousing services can be a lifesaver for your business. However, choosing the wrong one can cause a lot of headaches.

It’s important that you take the time to evaluate a potential warehouse service thoroughly before working with them.

Below we’ll look at the 7 top things you need to look for in a quality warehousing service.

1. Exceptional Fulfillment Services

Chances are that your business needs fulfillment services for packing and shipping your products. If so, it’s important to find out what the warehousing service offers and if they’ll be able to meet the demands of your business as well as your customers.

Find out about their turnaround time as well as their standards when it comes to packing a product securely. Do they have automated and manual assembling capabilities? Will your products arrive safely to customers?

Find out everything you can about the warehouse’s fulfillment services and try to uncover if they are the real deal.

Not all warehouses have the capabilities to meet the fulfillment needs of your business. It’s important to ask about a company’s process and make sure that they won’t leave you hanging when you need them most.

2. Strong Security

Any reliable warehouse will also take security very seriously. They will have great security measures in place and will go the extra mile to ensure that your stock is well protected from harm at all times.

A great warehousing service will have a 24-hour security system in place that will ensure the protection of your items from thieves. Many great warehouses will also have plenty of security cameras in place, onsite staff, and other provisions to ensure that nothing goes wrong.

If security matters to you, it’s important that you get a thorough explanation of how your items will be protected when choosing a warehousing service. It can take a weight off of your shoulders knowing that the warehouse has an increased level of security and that your items will be well-protected.

3. Tracking and Monitoring

A great warehousing service will also offer options for you to remotely access tracking data. They’ll have a system in place so that you can easily access information on your products and shipments.

A barcode tracking system can help make this simple and can assure that you always have access to the status of your belongings.

Along with remote user access, a barcode tracking system is absolutely crucial if you want to be sure that your goods are well taken care of. You’ll gain a greater peace of mind by easily being able to check up on the details of your items and shipments as needed.

4. Cross Docking

An excellent warehouse will also offer affordable and efficient cross-docking services. Cross-docking can help to greatly reduce the delivery time of packages and shipments. It can be a great help for giving your customers the absolute best service.

Cross-docking streamlines the shipping process. It allows products to be picked up from a manufacturer or supplier and then sent directly to a final destination.

This service is great for shipping items that are time and/or temperature sensitive. For many businesses, it is an absolute must-have feature from a professional warehouse service.

5. Industry Specific Standards

For many businesses, it’s also important to find a warehouse that understands the ins and outs of their specific industry and specific products that they will need to be stored and shipped.

Not all warehouses have what it takes to handle the needs of food and beverage industries, for example.

It’s important that you consider the needs of your industry and ask what experience the warehousing service has with your type of product. If you have any specific needs, be sure to discuss these beforehand.

If you’re storing food and choosing a shared warehousing service, you may also need to learn more about what will be stored near your items. Toxic materials and food products don’t mix well, so make sure you know what you can expect going in.

6. Ease of Use

When looking for a great warehouse, it’s crucial that you find a great team of professionals that you can trust. Look for a warehouse service who will work hard to make your experience as easy and simple as possible.

A great warehousing company will invest in their staff and train them well. They’ll have adopted some great processes and systems for managing products.

The warehouse should be extremely efficient and also very communicative with you. They should work hard to meet all of your needs and also provide a way for you to easily track and monitor your stock.

Look for a professional company that makes your job easier, and you’ll never be dissatisfied with your decision.

7. Flexibility

In addition to the above points, it’s also important that you look for warehousing services that are flexible when it comes to meeting your needs.

In business, all kinds of unexpected things can happen and your requirements may change suddenly. Find out if the warehouse company has any options for overflow storage. Ask if they have any special services and provisions to help your business at times of seasonal changes or increases in business.

A great warehouse will understand the needs of a business and the unexpected changes that can occur throughout the year. As a result, they’ll have processes in place that will help ease your burden when you most need it.

Choosing the Best Warehousing Service

If you’re looking for quality warehousing services for your business, it doesn’t have to be as hard as you think. By taking the time to consider the points above you’ll have the best chance at making the right choice and ensuring your needs are fully met by the warehousing company.

A warehousing service can revolutionize the way you do business and can make your business more efficient. But take your time when choosing a service to use, and ensure that you’re making the right choice.

Looking for a great warehouse service for your business? Contact us today to learn more about what Need It Now can do for you.

in Courier Service 0 comments