We are a international freight forwarder specialist
What is an international freight forwarder?
Cross-border or international transport means that the logistics process takes place outside your borders (cross-border), that is to say, from one country to another. International transport pushes logistics one step further in terms of complexity, given the fact that it needs to cross several countries. Such a challenge is not within everyone's reach, hence the need to have the support of a logistics partner with a global presence.
Discover how we can help you.
Contact usLogisfashion is a international freight forwarder offering end to end services
Fashion and lifestyle, beauty and cosmetics, toys, consumer goods (FMCG), as well as automotive, electronics and industrial sector companies need to manage the shipment of goods abroad with maximum effectiveness, which would be unthinkable without international transport.
The more borders the goods have to cross, the more difficult it is to manage the supply chain in a 100% satisfactory way. For example, making a mistake in the management of customs procedures will lead to delays and cost overruns capable of hindering business competitiveness. This is where the capacity of our logistics partner comes into play.
We at Logisfashion stand out due to our strong skills in global logistics. In fact, we offer you our multimodal transport service so that your products arrive in any country in the fastest and safest way possible.
- Optimized traceability: the real-time monitoring of your international logistics operations is much simpler and more comprehensive with our Logisfashion Forwarding Tracker technology.
- Comprehensive service: we manage Cross Trade operations from start to finish. That means we take care of everything (packaging, customs procedures, goods insurance, multimodal transport, etc.).
- Global presence: the fact that we are a multinational company with a presence both in Spain and multiple countries in America and Asia and that we are members of global networks such as WCA guarantees our efficiency in the management of cross-border transport.
What are the distinct types of international freight transport?
International transport includes different modalities depending on the means we use. Choosing between one or the other, or combining several of them (multimodal transfer), will depend mainly on the arrival time, the product to be transported and the route to be traveled.
Sea freight transport
The main advantage of using sea freight is that it is cheaper compared to air freight. This improves the logistics margins. On the other hand, the timings and delivery times are much longer, and it is not exempt from unforeseen events such as blockades in the Red Sea or cancellation due to harsh weather conditions.
When transporting a large volume of goods between two geographically distant points, this modality is the one that comes most recommended. In addition, merchant ships offer great versatility, which allows them to adapt to any kind of goods, whether solid or liquid, such as petrol.
Within cross-border transport, this variant is quite economical, considering its large tonnage. However, it is more complex from a logistical point of view due to the involvement of numerous professionals (shipowner, stevedore, consignee, etc.).
International maritime transport has two subclasses:
- Bulk or mass cargo: such transport is carried out between two countries with little maritime traffic.
- Breakbulk cargo: this is carried out by liner ships, as maritime traffic between the two points is frequent.
Air freight transport
This type of international logistics is most often used by large companies when they need to transport their merchandise imminently, especially when there are special campaigns. The problem is that the cost is much higher than with maritime transport. However, it is the best alternative if delivery times are tight.
Planes stand out due to being extremely fast, safe and easy to control. Their use, however, is limited to goods of small volume and weight, as in the case of jewelry, due to the limited storage capacity of aircrafts. This type of international transport is very suitable for transporting valuable, delicate and/or urgent products to remote destinations.
Inland freight transport
This kind of transnational logistics is undertaken by land. You can use trucks or trains for this purpose. It is classified as groupage or full load, depending on whether the means of locomotion is shared or not.
Trains are recommended for transporting particularly dangerous or heavy goods to distant destinations. They are not as fast as other means of transport, but they do not require transfers.
Agile and affordable, the truck is ideal for door-to-door services. It adapts to all types of goods and facilitates transshipments. However, it is not the best means of transport for traveling long distances or transporting products that are too large.
Within land transport we can divide loads into:
- LTL (Less Than Truck Load): This is when the load is less than that of a full truck, therefore a partial load. This is the most popular option when it comes to cost savings, since the rest of the truck is shared with other loads, and when delivery dates are more flexible.
- FTL (Full Truck Load): In this case the load is large enough to fill an entire truck. Since it has a single recipient, arrival is extremely fast, but the costs are higher. It is also ideal to use FTL when handling delicate goods.
How does a freight forwarder work?
All modes of freight forwarders follow a similar process. Correctly managing each of its phases is vital for goods to reach their destination in optimal conditions, as well as complying with deadlines and regulatory requirements. The most convenient and efficient method is undoubtedly to entrust all your management to a single logistics operator.
Packaging of the goods
Before the transfer is made, it is essential to properly prepare the goods to ensure their safety. This includes not only their packaging and organization, but also the contracting of insurance. Since this stage does not require a transport activity per se, it is called the “static phase”.
Internal transfer
Once prepared, the first transfer of the goods takes place within its country of origin. The journey takes place between the exporter’s headquarters and the point where the product will be loaded onto the means of transport. In most cases, such a transfer is made by land.
Passage through the customs of origin
This stage requires executing the necessary administrative procedures for customs agents to authorize the shipment. To this end, the goods must have been properly prepared, and the documentation must comply with all legal requirements. When the export involves EU Member States, the Single Administrative Document (SAD) must be completed.
International transfer
Once customs authorisation has been obtained, the goods are stored in the transnational means of transport (truck, plane, ship, etc.) to be transferred to the destination country. If several means of transport need to be coordinated, it is necessary to have a Multimodal Transport Operator (MTO).
Arrival at the destination customs office
Upon arrival at their destination and after being unloaded, the goods are supervised by the customs agents of the receiving country. These officials, in addition to reviewing the documentation, can inspect the goods in person.
This stage is especially delicate because it varies from case to case. The requirements depend on both the regulations of the receiving country and the type of goods shipped. Any irregularity will paralyze the cargo at customs (and make shipping more expensive).
Transport through the destination country
Once the approval of the customs services of the receiving country has been obtained, the goods may be transported within its borders. Usually, this transfer is made by road.
Delivery of the goods
The last stage of international commercial transport consists of delivering the goods to the receiver at the agreed-upon location. This is obviously the case when we work with a logistics operator that provides an end-to-end service.
With cross-border shipping, your company is taking a risk. For such undertakings you need Logisfashion: the logistics partner whose capacity and experience are up to the task. Leave international freight transport in our hands and give your import-export operations the ultimate boost.