Step-by-Step guide to commercial shipping

The term ‘logistics’ has become associated with lengthy, complicated processes. “I don’t want to have to deal with all the logistics,” is something someone might say with a distasteful emphasis on the word ‘logistics’. This is understandable, since there is, of course, a lot of heavy lifting, long distances and paperwork involved in the moving of freight from one place to another. However, dedicated freight solutions such as those offered by New Horizon make it extremely easy for senders and receivers, with the freighter handling the process from end to end. There is really a very simple and consistent, three-step process to follow, (with two intermediate steps if you are shipping internationally) and once you know all the steps, it will never cause any anxiety again (we’ll be handling most, if not all of the steps anyway). With that in mind, for clients old and new, we present a step-by-step guide to commercial shipping.

Step 1: From sender to shipper

Quite simply, in this first step, your consignment is moved from your premises to ours. Either we pick it up or you deliver it to us, depending on your requirements. We then keep the consignment in our secure warehouse facilities until it is forwarded on to the destination.

Step 2: From origin to destination

This step of the process may include an additional, intermediate step if the shipment in question is an international one. At its simplest, this is the point where you, as the sender, have safely signed your consignment over to us and we are now transporting it from our warehouse to the receiving warehouse. This will be done by road, air or sea. If it is an international shipment, then this process will include moving through the home port, which will entail customs documentation. By the time we get the consignment to the port, however, we will already have talked you through the customs process, and taken you through the requisite documents. Once the paperwork is cleared, with the help of our customs clearance and customs consulting services, the shipment goes on its way.

Step 3: From destination port/ warehouse to consignee

Once the shipment arrives on the other side, it either has to go through the customs clearance process (if it is international) or straight to the receiving warehouse. The paperwork, warehousing and transport steps in this process will be dealt with by the freighting company. All that remains is for your consignee to take delivery.

The only thing to bear in mind is the cost of each step. Either you are bearing the costs or the consignee is, or the two of you are doing so in combination – that will depend on what you have arranged between you.

Sound too simple? That’s really all there is to it as far as you’re concerned. Contact us to discuss your specific freight and logistics needs and we will handle the details.