2017 Global Logistics Guide by Inbound Logistics

2017 Global Logistics Guide by Inbound Logistics

2017-Global-Logistics-GuideThe folks at Inbound Logistics magazine published their 13th annual Global Logistics Guide in the March 2017 issue.  You can also read the full report online.  As part of the report, Inbound Logistics ranks major foreign countries according to the following criteria:

  1. Transportation infrastructure (T)
  2. IT competency (I);
  3. Business culture (B); and
  4. Intangibles (X).

For your benefit, we have summarized the Inbound Logistics rankings below (10 is the highest score and 3 is the lowest):

Region Country Overall T I B X
Europe Netherlands 10 4 3 3 0
Europe Germany 9 4 3 2 0
ME/Africa UAE 9 4 2 2 1
SE Asia/India Singapore 9 4 3 2 0
Europe Switzerland 8 3 3 2 0
Asia Hong Kong 8 3 3 2 0
Asia Japan 8 3 3 2 0
Americas Canada 7 2 3 3 -1
Americas Panama 7 3 1 2 1
Europe France 7 3 2 2 0
Europe Belgium 7 3 2 2 0
SE Asia/India Malaysia 7 3 2 2 0
SE Asia/India India 7 2 1 2 2
SE Asia/India Taiwan 7 3 3 2 -1
Asia South Korea 7 3 3 2 -1
Americas Chile 6 2 2 2 0
Europe Poland 6 2 1 2 1
Asia China 6 3 1 2 0
Americas Colombia 5 2 1 2 0
Americas Mexico 4 2 1 2 -1
Europe Russia 4 2 1 1 0
SE Asia/India Indonesia 4 2 1 1 0
SE Asia/India Thailand 4 2 1 1 0
Asia Vietnam 4 2 1 1 0
Americas Brazil 3 2 1 1 -1
Europe Turkey 3 2 1 1 -1
ME/Africa South Africa 3 2 1 1 -1

 

The good news is that if you are exporting to, or importing from, any of these countries, Logistics Plus has local offices or reliable agents in almost every one of these countries. So we can help you with affordable import/export transportation rates and customs clearance fees; we can help you with warehousing and distribution solutions if they’re needed; and we can help you address virtually any global trade compliance issue that might apply.  If you do business in any of these countries, we invite you to contact us to learn more.

Contact-Us-Button

 

 

 

Exporting Resources for U.S. Businesses

Exporting Resources for U.S. Businesses

Each year, U.S. companies export well over 2 trillion dollars of goods and services. If you want your business to get in on the action, it’s important to figure out the best way to expand to new markets. The U.S. Commercial Service has developed some exporting resources and a comprehensive video collection to help small and medium businesses become better equipped to enter the world of exporting. The first video in the series is shown below. This same video, and subsequent videos, can be found online at www.export.gov/How-to-Export.

With over 20 years of exporting expertise as a full-service international forwarding and logistics company, Logistics Plus provides exporters with a variety of global trade solutions, including:

Additionally, we have a variety of tips and resources available in the News & Notes section of our website. Simply click the image below to view a collection of all our export-related articles.

Export-Box-Banner

Of course, to really experience our “Passion for Excellence,” feel free to contact us directly using the button below, or by emailing quotes@logisticsplus.com. We’d love to help you with any or all of your exporting needs!

Contact-Us-Button

7 Cost-Saving Tips for Importing and Exporting

7 Cost-Saving Tips for Importing and Exporting

7-importing-and-exporting-tHere are a few quick, cost-saving tips for importing and exporting from the international airinternational ocean, and project cargo freight forwarding experts at Logistics Plus:

Importing Tips:

  1. Take the time to confirm your HTS codes before importing. U.S. Customs’ system of classification can be very complicated, and the HTS codes advised by suppliers are not always accurate or match the U.S. classification system 100%. A full cost for imported goods can only be known with the correct HTS codes.
  2. Keep potential exams in mind when thinking about the transit time, for ocean shipments particularly. An exam can take a week or more, and could be caused by any importer on an LCL consolidation, or a container could be simply selected at random. If goods are time-sensitive, air shipping part or all of the order could save money in the long run.
  3. Be sure your broker or import forwarder is made aware of all ocean imports well in advance of departure from overseas. An Importer Security Filing (ISF) must be filed timely! Liquidated damages for ISF start at $5,000 for failure to file an ISF, $5,000 for late ISF, $5,000 for inaccurate ISF, $5,000 for an incomplete ISF, and $5,000 for failure to withdraw an ISF. The maximum liquidated damages per ISF filing is $10,000.

Exporting Tips:

  1. Know your Incoterms®. Incoterms can be a frustrating and confusing to understand; however many exporters do not fully understand the terms to which they are agreeing and, therefore, end up paying more or running into unexpected fees. As an exporter, you need to understand the costs, responsibilities, rights, and obligations that accompany the use of a specific Incoterm. Every quotation or sales order must include a term of sale. If you fail to clearly identify the specific Incoterm to your customer, it can lead to an overestimation or underestimation of the costs associated with the goods you are selling (and a lost sale).
  2. Research the area to which you are selling. Selling to a new area requires you to keep an open mind. Knowing the market you will be putting your product into can alleviate a lot of the stress with exporting. What currency do they use? What is the local tax or VAT (value-added tax) system? What is the business culture, and/or local culture? When are their holidays or weekends observed?
  3. Do your paperwork. Know that each country has its own set of importing regulations that require different licenses and customs paperwork. Some countries will require certain stamping, legalizations, or original documents, while others simply accept copies. These vary from country to country, region to region, and with specific commodities.

Most Important Tip:

  1. Work with an experienced and reputable freight forwarder. An international freight forwarder acts as an agent on your behalf and assists in moving your shipment from its U.S. origin to its foreign destination. Capable freight forwarders are familiar with the import rules and regulations of foreign countries, U.S. import and export regulations, methods of shipping, and required documentation. They can assist you in preparing pricing quotations by providing freight costs, port charges, documentation fees, insurance costs, and handling fees. They can also recommend packaging methods and transportation modes that will best protect your products during transport and ensure they arrive when and where you need them.

Ready to take us up on tip #7? If yes, then click the button below to get started.

International-Freight-Quote

Global Project Logistics Teamwork In Action!

Global Project Logistics Teamwork In Action!

Here’s a quick ‘play-by-play’ example of how the Logistics Plus (LP) global project cargo team springs into action when presented with a logistics challenge from one of our customers.  Now that’s global project logistics teamwork!

Lifting-Lugs-Belgium-Turkey GIF

 

26.05 The LP Belgium office received a call from our customer to urgently send lifting lugs to Turkey (which then led to a request to ship 18 windmill tower sections from Turkey to the United Kingdom). Bahadir Erdil and Basar Kandil (from LP Turkey) happened to be in Antwerp, so it was set in motion fast.
27.05 Hilde Van De Woestyne arranged for the pick up in the Netherlands.
29.05 The lifting lugs fly from Amsterdam to Istanbul.
30.05 Basar is back in Turkey and initiates custom clearance.
01.06 Basar arranges delivery to wind tower manufacturer.
06.06 Frederik Geirnaert gets the RFQ for the shipment of 18 windmill tower sections (4100 cbm).
07.06 Bahadir spends the next few days negotiating with various carriers to find the first available ship at the best rates.
09.06 We get the order!
10.06 Mert Altinsaray arranges trucking of first pieces from supplier. He also attends load-out in-person and makes some repairs/fixes.
23.06 Mert arranges trucking for final pieces from supplier. Meanwhile Bahadir is at the Izmir port to supervise loading.
24.06 Mert and Bahadir finalize loading. Doruk Yagci finalizes the documents.
05.06 Ship arrives in Southampton, England. Frederik attends the discharging. Shipment is successfully delivered to its final destination! Had the shipment not arrived on time, the customer would have missed an important deadline – it needed to ship one set of completed towers from Southampton by July 6th at 9:00 am or they would have missed a police escort; and the next possibility for that police escort was 6 weeks later!

If you have a project logistics challenge of your own, let us know. The LP team stands ready to help you too!

Logistics-Challenge-Button

6 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Global Freight Forwarder

6 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Global Freight Forwarder

Freight-Forwarding-Brochure-ThumbnailA freight forwarder, forwarder, or forwarding agent is a person or company that organizes shipments for individuals or corporations to get goods from the manufacturer or producer to a market, customer or final point of distribution. When it comes to international freight forwarding, selecting the right global freight forwarder can help your business succeed by offering relief to many of your supply chain challenges – and possibly even providing you with a competitive advantage. Your freight forwarder should be an experienced and trusted partner for your logistics needs. Increasing levels of global sourcing and omnichannel retailing have created significant opportunities for importers and exporters around the world to optimize their supply chains. Whether you’re with a large, multinational corporation, or a small company shipping globally for the first time, selecting the right global freight forwarding partner can help you save time and money, increase shipment speed and visibility, and reduce your risk.

Here are six (6) questions to ask when choosing a global freight forwarder:

  1. Can they provide capacity options across multiple shipping modes? They should be able to ship goods by ocean, air, rail or ground, choosing the best option for your need. They should also be able to consult you on consolidation and routing optimization options.
  2. Do they offer customs brokerage and trade compliance advice? They should be able to leverage customs information and programs to your advantage. They must be knowledgeable in free trade agreements and know how to navigate each country’s compliance requirements, customs rules, governmental regulations, and duty rates.
  3. Do they have regional offices in key geographic regions? Your global freight forwarder should have deep knowledge of the local countries in which you are importing or exporting. They should be familiar with local languages, infrastructure, economy, currencies, tax laws, and tariffs. They should also be members of reputable freight forwarding networks, such as WCA, IFLN, or TWIG. If a freight forwarder is a member of a reputable network, the chances of them handling your shipment with care and diligence anywhere in the world is higher than if they were not a member. It also shows they have financial strength because there are only a handful of legitimate, quality freight forwarding networks that really vets their members.
  4. Is their TMS or cargo management systems truly global? There should be one system architecture that works across all regions of the world and covers all types of transportation. Shipment tracking and visibility should be accessible online or, if needed, it should be something you can integrate it into your back office systems.
  5. Can they help assess and reduce cargo risk? They must adequately assess and mitigate cargo risk to help your company protect its bottom line. They should have adequate cargo insurance and they should be able to issue added insurance policies for your shipments in case of theft, damage, or loss.
  6. Do they have the experience you need? There are many modes of transport, commodities, regulations, and industries. Your freight forwarder should be able to demonstrate experience handling important freight forwarding shipments for other reputable companies, or those in similar industries.

If you’re looking for a new global freight forwarding partner, you might consider asking these six questions as part of your screening process. We’d be honored if you’d consider Logistics Plus as a potential candidate to be your global partner. Please ask us these same six questions and we’re confident you’ll be satisfied with our answers. Click the first button below to contact us today for more information, or click the second button below to request an international freight quote. You can also click the image shown above to view or download a PDF copy of our Freight Forwarding Expertise brochure.

Contact-Us-Button    International-Freight-Quote