News -

Improved cargo flow by outsourcing logistics activities

Cost savings is no longer the only top priority for companies looking for outsourcing partners. More so, they want a partner who can provide the expertise and knowledge not found in-house. Logistics is a core competency, and also the biggest reason companies choose to outsource their logistics activities: It allows them to focus on their core business. This is precisely what one of our customers did. Here is the story.

In need of a qualified and experienced customs broker

Back in 2007, an international company, best known for its leading technology in the power, renewable energy, aviation and healthcare industries, reached out to us. The company was struggling with custom formalities for shipments from China to Latvia. They were in need of a qualified and experienced customs broker that could handle the complex procedures and formalities for their large goods volumes. Together with the company, we looked into the possibilities, and a collaboration was initiated that would turn into a long-lasting relationship.

Logistics as a core competency

In 2018, the company renominated us as their customs broker. This time, the scope was a bit wider. Our customer is a large international company with businesses all over the world and large goods volumes that need to be moved across borders. Instead of employing their own logistics experts, they wanted to outsource their customs brokerage to us. Logistics being our core competency, this was a perfect match.

Providing our expert knowledge in customs brokerage

Two of our logistics experts would dedicate their resources exclusively to our customer’s account and work in their name. Thanks to our previous collaboration, we already knew the ins and outs of the company and their import and export requirements. After closing the agreement, including strict disclosure requirements and confidentiality rules, our logistics experts were ready to get to work.

Greencarrier Freight Services took care of customs procedures and formalities, making sure the shipments met all standards and regulations for import and export as well as requirements for customs clearance. We handled all the necessary documentation, duties, taxes, and payments.

Managing the cargo flow from A to Z

In 2020, the company reached out to us once again. They had a similar project in one of the CIS countries and needed our help. However, this time, they wanted us to not only handle customs procedures and formalities but also manage their entire cargo flow from A to Z. This included all transport modes and multiple trade lanes. It also required logistics experts that could speak English and Russian fluently working in international teams.

Said and done. By keeping up with policies and regulations, we made sure our customer was up-to-date in their compliance with standards. We took care of everything from commercial invoices and packing lists to certificates and updating software. We handled customs clearance and formalities and made sure the cargo reached its destination in time. With up-to-date knowledge in customs compliance and trade facilitation, we also acted as an advisory partner and took responsibility for communicating with all parties involved.

By being aware of international relations literacy and understanding that each culture and country has its own speed, work ethics and work style, the project turned out to be highly successful. Today, our collaboration continues, and even though our customer is very content, we are constantly working to improve their logistics and looking into new possibilities.

When it comes to our customer relationships, we are in it for the long term. Having customers re-nominating us time and time again is always our goal and something we are very proud of.

Why you should outsource logistics activities

By turning to a qualified logistics expert, our customer could strictly focus on what they do best; their core business. This is a major benefit of outsourcing logistics activities to someone whose core competency is logistics. But there are also other benefits involved such as cost-savings, increased flexibility, improved performance, higher reliability, and reduced risks. Outsourcing logistics activities should ultimately be about benefiting from the core competency of an expert to create value and increase the profits of your own business.

Are you also in need of a logistics expert?

If you only have a few product types and trade lanes to move your goods over, you might be fine handling customs procedures and formalities in-house. However, the moment things become a little more complex, it is time to seek out the services of a dedicated logistics expert: someone that has logistics as their core competency.

Are you at that moment? We are here to help. Contact me today, and we will look into how your logistics can be improved – so that you can focus on your core business.

Related links

Topics

  • Cars and traffic

Categories

  • freight
  • logistics
  • transport
  • customs broker
  • shipping
  • transport solutions

Contacts

Related content

  • Short sea shipping – how beneficial is it?

    Short sea shipping is said to provide great economic and environmental benefits. And the fact is more companies are looking into the possibilities of short sea shipping, especially in Europe. But how much can you actually benefit from shipping your goods by short sea?

  • “A modern freight forwarder can help you increase market competition and grow your business”

    How does good logistics go hand-in-hand with supporting the global trade system while using fewer resources? Is the traditional role of freight forwarders changing? And who benefits from green logistics? Meet Kiko Zheng, Greencarrier Freight Services’ new Branch Manager in Ningbo, who lives by the quote “stay hungry, stay foolish” and shares her modern thoughts on freight forwarding.

  • How to pick the right shipping container

    ​Containerisation goes all the way back to the twentieth century when the first intermodal shipping container revolutionised global trade. Still, today, these large steel boxes carry the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the shoes we walk in. Only now, they come in different shapes and sizes for different purposes. So, how do you pick the right one? Let me sort it out for you.

  • 4 tips on how to ship lithium batteries safely

    Lithium batteries are small devices with large power. Used in laptops, smartphones, electric vehicles, and medical devices, they connect our world and help save lives. But they are also classified as dangerous goods and require careful handling and transportation. In this post, I give you 4 tips on how to ship lithium batteries safely.

  • 5 easy steps to ensure your goods arrive in time for Golden Week

    Are you shipping goods to or from China? Time to prepare for Golden Week! To avoid unnecessary costs and delays, we have prepared a step-by-step guide for you. Here are 5 easy steps to ensure your goods arrive in time for Golden Week.

  • 4 mistakes every first-time shipper should avoid

    Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new, Albert Einstein once said. We totally agree. In fact, we all have gone through trial and error. At some point, you just need to do things for the very first time. Shipping goods, for example. To all first-time shippers out there, this one is for you: 4 mistakes every first-time shipper should avoid.