Your Holiday Package Shipping Guide

Your Holiday Package Shipping Guide
Your Holiday Package Shipping Guide

What is parcel shipping?

Package shipping is the shipment of boxed items weighing 70-150 pounds or less, depending on the carrier. These are smaller packages that can be easily moved by a person without assistance.

When should parcel shipping be used?

For smaller loads, businesses will want to consider parcel rather than LTL shipping. Packages are a more flexible and generally economical option for people who ship several small packages at a time.

What is the package shipping fee based on?

Carriers calculate package rates by looking at three items:

  • Service Level
  • Area
  • Weight

In terms of service level, the carrier considers whether the shipper requires ground or air service. The origin and destination postal codes of the shipment come into play under this zone. The actual or dimensional weight of the package will also affect shipping rates.

Pros and Cons

There are many benefits to package shipping, including the flexibility to deliver your shipment anytime during business hours, fast overnight shipping, residential delivery, and increased tracking capabilities through multiple transfer points.

However, these transfer points do increase the risk of cargo damage, delays and loss. Unlike LTL shipments, where goods are palletized and securely organized on trucks, packages are placed loosely and are more likely to be damaged or lost. Properly packaging and labelling your items is critical.

Logistics Term

logistics term
logistics term

There are many industry terms in the logistics world! We've put together this short logistics glossary to help you familiarize yourself with some common terms and concepts you may encounter.

3PL: Sourcing and arranging many services on behalf of clients, from shipping to warehousing and everything in between. Learn more here.

Bullwhip Effect: Companies must constantly predict what customers want to buy. Without a crystal ball, they must make forecasts based on other factors such as industry trends, supply chain structure and inventory. The bullwhip effect is a term used to describe when this complex transport process is disrupted. Learn more here.

Digital Freight Brokers: Digital freight brokers connect shippers and freight companies through mobile apps or online marketplaces. Learn more here.

Double brokerage: Double brokerage occurs when a freight broker accepts cargo and then hands it to another freight broker without telling the client. Learn more here.

Expedited Shipping: Expedited shipping is a faster method than standard shipping. Typically, expedited shipments do not stop anywhere between the pickup location and the delivery location, resulting in shorter transit times. Learn more here.

Freight Broker: A person or company that oversees efficient shipping and handling logistics. Learn more here.

Cargo Insurance: Gives you extra protection in the event of loss or damage to your cargo. Learn more here.

HAZMAT Shipping: Shipping of hazardous materials. Transporting hazardous materials (HAZMAT) includes not only highly toxic chemicals and nuclear waste. Hazardous items include nail polish, perfume, batteries, and even hairspray. Learn more here.

Inbound Freight: Refers to raw materials and raw materials entering a business from suppliers or suppliers. Learn more here.

Incoterms: Colloquially, Incoterms are just a way of clarifying the roles and responsibilities of those involved in the shipping process. Learn more here.

Industry 4.0: Industry 4.0, also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is the continuous automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices using modern smart technologies. Smart factories, 3D printing and smart sensors are just a few examples. Learn more here.

LTL Shipping: Less than full truckload, or "LTL" in industry slang, is a cost-effective alternative for smaller shipments that cannot be fully filled with trucks. Learn more here.

NMFC codes: In the shipping world, the National Motor Freight Classification or NMFC codes are used to help define and regulate products. In LTL shipping. NMFC codes are an industry-wide method of defining shipping rates. Learn more here.

Outbound Freight: Refers to the shipment of finished goods from a business to a customer or distribution channel. Learn more here.

Package Shipping: Package shipping is the shipment of boxed items weighing 100-150 pounds or less, depending on the carrier. These are smaller packages that can be easily moved by a person without assistance. Learn more here.

Transportation Management System (TMS): Global research and consulting firm Gartner defines a Transportation Management System or TMS as a solution "for planning shipments, grading shipments and shopping across all modes, selecting the right route and carrier, and Manage shipping orders and payments." Learn more here.

Full truckload: Full truckload is when the shipper pre-orders a full truck or tractor trailer. The idea is to load the tractor trailer to full capacity. Truck loads are usually picked up at one location and dropped off at another, usually without any stops along the way. Learn more here.

Supplier Verification: Supplier verification is the process of confirming that a supplier is a legitimate entity. Learn more here.

Customodal designs, executes and optimizes transportation logistics programs for businesses of all sizes to support client strategies and enhance client competitive advantage. Carrier negotiation, shipment execution, track and trace, waybill audits, performance scorecards and supply chain visibility are all part of Customodal's added value.

Are you paying too much for shipping?

Are you paying too much for shipping?
Are you paying too much for shipping?

Are you paying too much for shipping? Shipping costs are a major consideration when determining the cost of doing business. Some companies can make a living with parcel shipping, but most manufacturing companies and the larger industry rely on less-than-truckload shipping at some point. LTL ("less than truckload") shipping can be expensive - especially if approached. Fortunately, there are options that prevent you from overpaying for shipping, and TJ chinafrieght can help you with that.

The first step is to collect data about your current shipping situation.

Before you can determine if you are overpaying for shipping, you must determine what you are actually paying for. It is important to understand what these costs are so that we can predict future changes in shipping costs.

Shipping rates are unlikely to drop anytime soon.

Remember, shipping has operating costs for them, and as those costs rise, they need to increase the rates they charge us to maintain their profitability. 3PL Corporation is in the business of providing customized shipping solutions to its clients and clients. This can mean anything from a dedicated account manager acting as a liaison to your company's shipping department to a dedicated service offering you co-design. Depending on the specific nature of your shipping needs, the type of 3PL service you require will vary.

LTL shipping is an essential shipping service for businesses of all sizes and in all walks of life.

As the economic landscape of the freight industry changes, the cost of traditional LTL shipping can be more challenging to your business bottom line. Fortunately, there are many tools your business has at its disposal to try and better meet your shipping needs. Want to learn more ways to save on shipping? Contact TJ chinafreight today!

Why you should care about more than just shipping

Why you should care about more than just shipping
Why you should care about more than just shipping

When it comes to shipping, it's not just shipping costs to consider. LTL ("Less Than Truckload") shipping can be expensive - especially if not handled carefully, but in addition to cost, there are the overall goals of your business. You want to get the best price possible while achieving your goals as a business in the most efficient way.

There are many advantages to using 3PL. Shipping rates can be confusing, and dealing with the complex world of shipping alone isn’t easy, that’s why having industry experts help. Find out how 3PL can help you meet your supply chain challenges.

When considering who to entrust your freight needs to, it's important to find a partner who can deliver products on time and put your company first. Read the TJ chinafreight way. These are the values ​​that our team upholds and practices every day. We don't want to just sell you something - we want to understand what makes your business a success and how we can help maximize its potential for growth now and in the future.

While shipping costs are an important part of your manufacturing business (or any business), they're not the only factor to consider. We encourage you to contact a partner like TJ chinafreght for the most efficient business solution. We work with companies around the world - finding solutions that make sense for you. You succeed, we succeed!

Why is my shipment taking so long?

Why is my shipment taking so long?
Why is my shipment taking so long?

If you've ever found yourself wondering "Why is my shipment taking so long?" it might be time to rethink how you move your products. Working with a logistics partner like TJ chinafrieght means better control of your costs, less time contacting multiple carriers, access to an LTL network with nationwide discounts, and unified billing for your convenience. In an industry that is constantly changing and evolving, you don't have to be an expert - that's our goal. Now, back to your original question...

What are the factors that affect shipping time?

Weather

Mother Nature is always in charge, and everything from floods to tornadoes to snowstorms can affect travel and cause product shipping delays.

Current events

Remember when a container ship got stuck in the Suez Canal or a truck stopped near the Canadian border? The logistics world is vast, and there are always things that affect planning. The good news is that when you work with a logistics partner, you don't have to worry about current events. We will solve this problem for you.

Labor issues

Labor shortages can have a major impact on the flow of goods. It will take longer to get from point A to point B if there are not enough truckers or dock workers to deliver the goods.

Now, what if your shipments take so long?

Well, as you may have guessed, if you haven't already, you need to find a logistics partner you trust! Don't just focus on the bottom line, but find a company that takes time to understand your business and find the best solution for your needs.

If you have a logistics partner, the first thing you need to ask yourself is, "Do I need this product now, or do I want it now?" From there, your logistics partner (like TJ chinafreight) can work hard to meet the time and cost related expectations. When it's a "want" situation, there's no reason to pay a "need" cost.

3 key tips for reducing costs when transporting heavy loads

 

Container Cargo ship in the ocean.
Container Cargo ship in the ocean.

Due to the large carrying capacity of ships, sea freight is the best way to transport heavy or oversized cargo. Different containers of various sizes can accommodate oversized sea freight. The smallest container height is 20 feet and the largest available is 45 feet.

If you are shipping heavy and oversized shipments by sea, we recommend that you ship with Full Container Box (FCL) to maximize your costs.

Tips for reducing costs when transporting heavy loads

Shipping heavy and oversized cargo can get very expensive. But there are ways to keep costs down.

1. Adjust the packaging

Packing can expand the cargo even further, and sometimes this is not recommended if you want to save on shipping costs. However, you can adjust the packaging by reducing packaging, packing more product into one container, or deflating the plastic packaging. These can reduce the space your cargo takes up and reduce costs accordingly.

2. Consider bulk shipping

If you're a frequent shipper, you can make the most of your shipping costs by maximizing less frequent orders. For example, consider shipping orders in bulk rather than weekly. This scheduling strategy will reduce your vessel and cost per shipment. However, for time-sensitive cargo, this may not be a viable option.

3. Correct container type

There are other costs associated with different sized containers. For example, moving a 40-foot container is more expensive than driving a 20-foot container. So it will help if you have a good idea of ​​the size of the selected container.

While exporting goods,you may wonder why you need to know Incoterms?

What are Incoterms rules?
What are Incoterms rules?

The International Commercial Terms Rules are official terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and are widely used in international commercial transactions or procurement processes. They are well thought out, standard, globally accepted and complied texts that determine the responsibilities of consumers and traders to deliver goods under contracts of sale in global trade. Incoterms are closely related to the United Nations. Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. Incoterms are known and implemented in all major trading countries.

Incoterms:

EXW (factory)

According to Incoterms rules, Ex Works (EXW) means that the seller has fulfilled its responsibilities when the goods are normally provided to the buyer at the seller's destination. The seller shall package the goods properly or as specified in the mutual agreement. The buyer is responsible for everything necessary to load the goods in transit and to get the goods to their final destination. Risk or responsibility for the goods passes from the seller to the buyer when the goods are available at that location. This means that the buyer is at risk if the goods are damaged in any way while the buyer is in transit, even if the seller assists with loading. Precautions should be taken.

FCA (Free Carrier)

Free Carrier or FCA is a trade term that states that the seller of goods is responsible for delivering those goods to the destination specified by the buyer. When used in trade, the term "free" means that the seller must deliver the goods to a designated location for transfer to the carrier. Considering that the carrier is nominated by the buyer, the shipping costs under the FCA terms are paid by the buyer. The seller arranges for the goods to be loaded onto the carrier nominated by the buyer.

The seller is responsible for delivering the goods at its location. In this case, it is the seller's responsibility to load the goods on the buyer's means of transport and for delivery to the port and export clearance, including security requirements. Risk transfers once the goods are loaded onto the buyer's means of transport.

CPT (shipping paid to)

Carriage Paid to or CPT means that the seller delivers the goods to the carrier or a person designated by the seller at the agreed place, and requires the seller to sign a contract of carriage and pay the agreed freight for delivery of the goods. The seller must go through the export procedures and the buyer must go through the import procedures. But the seller is not responsible for purchasing insurance.

CIP (shipping and insurance paid to)

Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP) is similar to CIP with one important difference. Risk passes to Buyer when Seller clears the goods for export and delivers them to the carrier or another person designated by Seller at the place of shipment. This Incoterms rule requires the seller to take out maximum insurance for the buyer - at least 110% of the value of the goods covered by the ICC (Institute Cargo Clauses) (A) or (Air) or similar clauses to cover the buyer's risk. Seller must provide Buyer with any insurance documentation required by Buyer in case it must file a claim under that insurance.

DAP (Delivered On Site)

Delivered at Place or DAP, this incoterm rule can be used for any shipping method. An extension of DAT, the seller delivers the goods at the destination specified by the buyer, although under ICC rules the unloading of the goods is the buyer's responsibility. The buyer also needs to sort out duties and taxes, as well as clear the goods through customs.

DAT (delivered at terminal)

Previously named Delivery at Dock or DAT, this Incoterm has been renamed to Delivery at Unloading Point (DPU) as the buyer or seller may require the goods to be delivered elsewhere. The term is often used for consolidated containers with multiple consignees, and this is the only term that requires the seller to unload. The seller clears the goods for export and assumes all risks and costs involved in the delivery and unloading of the goods at the named port or terminal at the destination. Buyer assumes all costs and risks from then on, including customs clearance of imported goods at the named destination.

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)

Delivery After Tax, or DDP, works very similarly to DAP, with one most important difference. Seller must import customs clearance goods in buyer country and pay any duties and VAT/GST. DDP is a risky clause for sellers as they may not be aware of import customs clearance procedures at the import destination. Its value is also uncertain for importers, who must rely on sellers to successfully navigate the complexities of destination countries.

Why do you need a freight forwarder that provides it?

Why do you need a freight forwarder that provides it?
Why do you need a freight forwarder that provides it?

When transporting your goods, whether by road, air or sea, there are various risks. Even with the assistance of a reliable freight forwarder, there are many external factors that can interfere with the progress of the logistics process.

The International Commercial Terms Rules are official terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and are widely used in international commercial transactions or procurement processes. They are well thought out, standard, globally accepted and complied texts that determine the responsibilities of consumers and traders to deliver goods under contracts of sale in global trade. Incoterms are closely related to the United Nations. Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. Incoterms are known and implemented in all major trading countries.

Guaranteed no financial loss

Everyone wants hassle-free shipping. No one wants to have problems shipping their goods overseas, but there are still some risks you can't avoid and can cause problems with your shipments. This is the most important reason why you need to rely on a freight forwarder who provides cargo insurance: they will ensure that you will not suffer any financial loss if anything happens in transit.

Prepare for the unexpected

When running a global logistics operation, you should be prepared for unexpected events throughout the operation. Whether it's inappropriate weather conditions or carrier issues that could cause your cargo to be lost, good cargo insurance will give you all the support you need in situations beyond your control.

Expertise in exporting/importing anytime, anywhere

In addition to the safety and financial reasons for hire cargo insurance, there is also the fact that some countries only allow import and export business to carriers who provide proof of cargo insurance. Therefore, insurance must be employed to be eligible to ship to these countries!

How to find the ideal cargo insurance for your logistics needs?

Each type of cargo insurance has specific coverage, and you should find the one that works best for your cargo. To determine the most suitable international freight insurance, it is recommended that you get the help of a freight forwarder who can guide you through all the insurance options available and best suited for your export/import needs, such as TJ chinafreght.

Safety isn’t expensive, it’s Priceless

 

First, we need to understand that different types of goods require different transportation measures. For example, products such as food, clothing, toys and home decor products can be easily packaged and shipped by air or sea without additional cargo handling work. Also, we should be extra careful when transporting dangerous and dangerous goods. Dangerous goods are goods and products that require special management to be packaged, palletized and loaded. In some cases, they require special machinery, equipment and containers to be transported safely. In short, dangerous products that may pose a threat to living things.

In this blog we will discuss hazmat - how to transport hazmat safely? Let's dive into it.

How are hazardous substances classified?

Since many daily necessities are considered hazardous, it can be difficult to determine if the product is dangerous. Products such as perfumes, detergents and paints. These are classified as hazardous materials.

Dangerous Goods Classification——

The United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods classifies dangerous goods according to the hazard they pose. Under this category, each substance is divided into a category. There are nine classes in total. Some are divided into a subcategory.

Why hire a freight forwarding partner who provides cargo insurance?
Why hire a freight forwarding partner who provides cargo insurance?

Some substances fall into two categories. In this case, the class with the highest hazard class belongs to the primary class, and the lowest class belongs to the secondary class.

Points to Remember

  • Knowledge about dangerous goods.
  • Follow the rules and regulations for dangerous goods.
  • Follow proper packaging procedures and protocols.
  • Do the required packaging according to the material.
  • Train shippers on the handling of hazardous materials.
  • Make sure the MSDS certificate and other documents.
  • Physically check labels, signs, markings for accuracy.
  • Check the packaging for leaks and other damage.
  • Notify the port of discharge authority.

Steps to reduce ocean pollution

Steps to reduce ocean pollution
Steps to reduce ocean pollution

Because shipping is such an important point in our global economy. Maritime transport drives global trade overseas, with more than 10 billion tons of containerized cargo being transported across the world's waters each year.

More than 90% of the world's trade takes place overseas. Nearly 50,000 merchant ships sail the world's oceans, transporting everything from food, fuel, building materials, raw chemicals and household goods.

Shipping is responsible for 2.5% of global greenhouse gases (GHGs), but without further action, shipping emissions are projected to grow by 50-250% by 2050. Shipping containers produce more greenhouse gas emissions than any small country. It's hard to imagine how much carbon dioxide the ship would emit. Because ships travel so far at sea. Not only carbon dioxide, but ships also release nitrous oxide (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx), highly toxic chemicals that have been shown to cause acid rain.

Not only gas emissions, container ships also create another kind of pollution, such as ballast water, biocides, waste, and sometimes outright oil spills, which are very difficult to clean. Pollutants have catastrophic effects on the oceans: Pollution kills more than 1 million seabirds and marine mammals each year because they cannot survive in toxic waters, while coastal states that rely on seagrass meadows, mudflats and wetlands die when aquatic vegetation dies Critical resources are being lost. In this article, we will learn about the main steps to reduce ocean pollution.

Steps to reduce ocean pollution:

Install the overflow pipe in the tank

During bunkering, if more than capacity is supplied to the vessel's fuel tanks, the fuel may flow out of the vessel through the tank vents. To prevent this from happening, install an overflow pipe in the vessel's fuel tank. The overflow tank allows the fuel overflowing from the fuel tank to flow into the overflow tank, and a flow detection sensor is set in the pipeline or a high-level alarm sensor is set in the fuel tank to detect the overflow immediately.

Use an air seal on the stern tube

The stern tube of the ship is air-sealed so that compressed air is continuously fed into the space where the propeller shaft penetrates from the inside to the outside of the ship. This creates a sealed area within the stern tube for separation of lubricating oil and seawater.

Use electric deck equipment

Ships using electric deck equipment such as mooring winches (*1) and gangways (*2) that were previously hydraulic power equipment. This reduces the risk of leakage of hydraulic oil for hydraulic drives.

1. Mooring winch: A device used to wind a rope or wire rope to moor a vessel.
2. Ramp: A ramp that extends to the dock when the car is loaded onto the car carrier and docked. It is stored during the voyage.

Indirect cooling system or central cooling system

It is a device that cools the engine and lubricating oil by indirect heat exchange between dedicated fresh water and sea water. Using this system prevents oil leaks or spills due to cooling system failures, as there is no direct heat exchange between the oil and seawater in this system.

Eco-friendly paint.

When marine life attaches to the hull, the hull resistance increases and the fuel consumption increases. This leads to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions. When these attached marine organisms are carried into other seas during the voyage, it will affect the marine ecosystem. New ships are encouraged to use low-friction coatings to reduce fuel consumption and prevent the attachment of marine life, and efforts are also being made to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and preserve biodiversity.

Environmentally friendly fuel

Standard for zero-emission berths in ports. Ships can use waterfront electricity while in port, virtually eliminating ship-sourced SOx, NOx, PM and CO2. Alternatively, ships can use alternative fuels such as hydrogen or ammonia.

Ballast water

Ballast water is critical to the safe operation of ships. Used to adjust the overall weight of the vessel and its internal distribution to keep the vessel safe, upright and stable afloat. It is used to compensate for different cargo loads that the vessel may be carrying at different times, including during loading and unloading. It also provides stability and maneuverability during transport.