International Moves

Moving Overseas is a tad more daunting than moving across country. Keep in mind all your inventory will need to be manifested upon loading, whether you DIY or hire a professional packing company.  Before you begin, read our Guide to Packing for your International Move:

If you've moved overseas before then you've probably asked yourself, "How should I pack my household items?" It may seem trivial, but it's a major component of any relocation if you're packing yourself, especially if all your belongings will be at sea for several weeks.

A list of household goods packing tips could be a long checklist of criteria one might have to go over when considering moving personal goods overseas. Remember things like candles & houseplants are not allowed. Due to customs tariffs at each port, this list will need to be detailed and manifested upon loading. 

It goes without saying that improper packing is one of the major concerns when it comes to breakages and damage, so pack your goods with care. Based on our experience as international shipping logistics specialists, we've created a comprehensive list of tips for packing household goods to help with any move, no matter where your destination.

How to Pack Household Goods Safely for Your Move Overseas - Keeping an inventory in Mind for your Manifest

Following are some of the basic materials one should consider to use for household packing:

• Always use strong boxes to pack fragile items
• Make sure the bottom of the box has additional tape to prevent opening when lifted
• Wrap all fragile items individually in bubble wrap or packing paper
• Corrugated boxes that can be closed shut are highly recommended to secure your belongings
• Plan on using lots of strong packaging tape, labels and markers to clearly identify the content being places in various boxes - this helps with your Manifest and at unloading
• Try and use blank newspapers, plastics or bubble wraps to fill the empty spaces in the cartons

Following are some pointers to pack some of the commonly found household items:

Electronics - Remember to label outside of boxes well for your Manifest

• Remember to unplug all electronics
• Refrigerators should be unplugged 24 hrs prior to loading as they need to drain of excess water and ice
• Remove the inner table in a microwave oven so it does not move inside and break the glass door
• Check the device manuals for all appliances for any special instructions and place all manuals in a folder for Customs
• Double pack electronics with glass screens safely to ensure they do not break

Kitchenware - Remember to label outside of boxes well for your Manifest

• Fragile crystals, bone china and ceramic kitchenware needs to be packed in bubble wrap
• Glass containers and sharp cutlery should be wrapped with extra packaging
• Place paper between all plates/bowls/cups and dinnerware to prevent chipping and breaking
• Wrap cutlery and utensils together in tight bundles and bubble wrap before putting in boxes
• Wine glasses/ vases / crystal pieces etc, should all be double wrapped in paper and bubble wrap

Small Furniture Products

• Ensure the edges are fully covered to prevent chipping
• Remember to protect the surfaces with a bed sheet to prevent scratches
• This furniture will probably be double stacked in the truck and container so all surfaces must be well protected

Other Items

• Vehicle(s) will need to be carefully loaded, drained & disconnected and properly strapped with heavy duty straps
• Books can be packed in corrugated boxes - don't over pack large boxes as books are heavy. Pack in multiple small boxes
• International sized bags could be used to pack clothes and shoes
• Wardrobe boxes with hangers are available 
• Photo frames can be packed by placing packaging paper between multiple frames
• Lampshades are especially fragile and should be packed well to withstand the pressures of container moves
• Fine art, pianos, and musical instruments all have unique requirements for packing

Remember, moving internationally is a three step process.

1. Make sure you have all your household goods packed thoroughly, either by yourself or a professional moving crew
2. Make sure you carefully manifest each and every box in detail while it is being loaded for smooth sailing through Customs at the Port(s)
3. Carefully unpack the goods upon arrival at your new destination.

So what are you waiting for? Request a free overseas moving estimate by calling us today or by completing our Quote Request Form.

Specialty or Over-Dimensional Freight

Do you have a sailboat to move to Hawaii? We are not all so lucky to be in this bind, but some people are and there are many rules to consider when shipping freight of this magnitude.  Perhaps you have a large dozer or heavy piece of farm equipment to move and not quite sure how to get it from the auction to your ranch. Or maybe you are leading a special project requiring several loads for a company move or construction of a new facility.  No matter what your dilemma is, we consider it an opportunity to take care of you by helping you answer the many questions surrounding the logistics of your move. 

• How will it be loaded and unloaded? 
• Will it need special permits? 
• Will it need escorts?
• Is drayage included in the cost? What is drayage?
• Can it go by rail, or does it need to move OTR - Over the Road? 
• Can it go RORO, or is this a crane lift? 
• Are there customs or border crossing agents needed? 

The good news is we are here to help. Go123 Logistics team members have led many special projects and our capabilities ensure your freight will be handled with care and 

For boats on a trailer, this is considered what we call RORO - or Roll On, Roll Off freight.  If it is a water delivery and not on a trailer, then it will be crane lifted and the client will need to provide a lifting diagram so we can accommodate a quote since the crane will be lifting the boat out of the water and onto the cradle, also provided by the client, along with blocks for support and security. 

For over-dimensional shipments - we are in a whole other world of over-width, over-weight, over-height and over-length permits and each permit cost varies from state to state. Police escorts also charge depending on how many lanes the road has, or if there is a bridge between point A & point B. Also there are tolls to consider along with traffic and border crossings. The client will also need to provide all the necessary paperwork for the customs agents at border crossings.  

Obviously when shipments this large move, time is another consideration. These things take more time to load and offload and the client needs to be aware of the ticktock of the clock.  Some crane rentals are by the hour or by the day, so the team needs to be on point from start to finish, which is just another nuance of our level of assistance here at Go123 Logistics. 

If you happen to be loading & unloading between 2 cities that offer rail service, this can be the most economical way to ship your items - but never the fastest, so make sure you have no time constraints when considering rail as an option.  This service can drop a trailer at your destination and add a fuel surcharge for the drayage - which is the time and miles to and from the ramp at the rail, whether it is going from a business, residence or port. 

Do you have questions about your special project? Need a logistics leader to spearhead an extraordinary shipment? We are here to help. Fill out our quote form now and we will contact you to discuss your needs. 

3PL Trends in 2018

2018 is already turning out to be the year of 3PL. Researching the logistics trends in 2018, I came across an article that stated that Third Party Logistics Providers (3PL’s) are set to dramatically shape the supply chain frontier in 2018 and in the future (Robinson, 2018). A recent survey tells us that 87% of shippers are using 3PL’s and plan to utilize 3PL services to drive down costs and increase market share and competitive advantage (Robinson, 2018).

Communication and collaboration are one trend that seems to be occurring in manufacturing and logistics all over the world and will take center stage in 3PL trends in 2018 (Robinson, 2018).  Communication and collaboration between 3PL’s and the shippers increases visibility into freight, services available, services rendered, billed, value added services such as audits and demand forecasting, as well as the increasing complexities of dimensional freight and pricing models (Robinson, 2018).

Being that several shippers have already begun to utilize the services of a 3PL, 2018 will be a year in which shippers will begin to use 3PL’s by upping investment in the services and technology power of 3PL’s.

Another trend in 3PL’s for 2018 is looking for ways to reduce last mile costs. Amazon and Wal-Mart have already launched last mile delivery services (Robinson, 2018). 3PL’s need to make their last mile services stand out from the crowd. The way to reduce costs is to use the ever-capable TMS which either includes or will include such features as advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation (Robinson, 2018). According to my research, TMS will soon work with advanced modes of transportation such as drones and autonomous delivery trucks (Robinson, 2018).

A third trend for 3PL’s is leaving behind their former reputation. 3PL’s are increasing their value and transparency and are now essential partners for shippers who have the need to manage a complex world of global trade and commerce. Shippers want more guidance to navigate challenges like the capacity crunch, how to better analyze data and create actionable insights, and a stronger awareness on how you can utilize technology and services to reduce total landed costs (Robinson, 2018). Shippers need to evaluate their current 3PL or in the process of hiring a 3PL to make sure the company offers valued-added services that go beyond technological capability (Robinson, 2018).

Automation will become more important in 2018. Automated technologies such as automated identification and data collection, Bluetooth enabled technologies, radiofrequency identification, robotics, drones, and autonomous vehicles have the potential to reduce the manual, labor intensive tasks, which are responsible for the uptick in freight shipping rates (Robinson, 2018).

These top trends that affect the 3PL industry in 2018 have amazing potential; however, they also serve as a warning in the coming year. Supply chain executives who choose not to see the value in working with an outside entity will be ill equipped to respond to market fluctuations, including potential decreasing quality of customer service levels (Robinson, 2018).

Robinson, A. (2018). 3PL trends: 10 areas shippers consider as they increase their use of third party logistics. Cerasis. (March 5, 2018). Retrieved from http://cerasis.com/2018/03/05/3pl-trends/.

Self - Driving Trucks?

News You Can Use!

Embark’s autonomous trucking solution is showing off futuristic capabilities with a "simple technology and an incredibly strong business case..." The latest test truck made a coast-to-coast trip from L.A. California to Jacksonville, Florida, driving 2,400 miles from one end of the U.S. to the other.

The latest trip follows Embark‘s prior test route, which ran from L.A. to El Paso, and successfuly covers more than four times the distance than the first route. This recent 5 day trip included a safety driver on board behind the wheel to be ready to take over control - this extra security measure forced scheduled rest brakes to accomodate the human element. Upon approval, Embark expects the trip to take only two days in total. So get ready America - the future is upon us!

Embark’s goal isn’t to replace human drivers entirely - It just wants to make it possible for long-haul trips to be managed by fewer drivers, eliminating the need for team driving, for instance, and helping to address a lack of available qualified human drivers for this kind of shipping...which is currently in a pinch thanks to the recently initiated ELD Mandate. 

So what's next? 

As one can imagine, this is a slow process and human drivers are still expected to help with the parts of the route that don’t involve freeway and driving releasing some of the stress on supply and demand once their technology is in service, leaving the inner city roadwork to human drivers - like city deliveries and pick ups, but still there are many benefits to the shipping industry like:

• efficiency
• availability
• safety
• productivity

Embark has stepped up their game with this demonstration without using high-resolution, detailed maps of its route to inform its autonomous system, for instance; instead, it relies entirely on sensor data and its onboard machine learning - so think of a Smart Truck. Another efficiency measure in terms of preparation before establishing new routes, and Embark says its new 2,400 mile trip down the I-10 shows it can handle navigating major highways.

This is not the final solution, Embark’s truck has only just arrived back on the West Coast, and the team is still pulling all the data regarding disengagements and human intervention, but according to subjective reports from the drivers on board, Rodrigues says “the vast majority of the driving was autonomous,” with “hours at a time with no disengagements, and when they did occur they were usually only a few seconds”.

With partners like Peterbuilt, Data Collective and SV ANgel and 15 million in series A funding, Embark based out of San Francisco is growing the fleet in test vehicles, from two to five trucks in just four months. CEO Alex Rodrigues has a measurable goal that by the end of 2018, Embark hopes to have 40 trucks purchased for its fleet. 

Avoiding Extra Charges for Specialty Freight

When it comes to shipping, few products have seen more changes than beer, wine, tobacco and alcohol. Regulations are often changing, along with shipping rates...so how do winemakers and beer brewers keep up with the ever-changing market? These constant changes make the process of getting products into the hands of customers that much more complex.

Traditionally, wineries, breweries and distributors would start their research into shipping by getting quotes for Full Truckload (FTL) and Less Than truckload (LTL) shipments from carriers which can take several hours or days on hold, not to mention, and not guaranteeing great rates as a direct customer. Luckily, however, today’s savvy shippers can call on Logistics Specialists to ask the right questions and negotiate the best rates while requesting the right services and minimize future surprises in costs and delays:

1. What is the product classification? Each product has a different classification. Wine has a different classification than tires or furniture, and that classification needs to be known in advance of getting a quote. For example, wine is typically considered a class 100 product - which in the density rating is neither high, nor low, but can dramatically affect the price. 
2. What is the weight & size of your shipment? This is a no-brainer, but liquid is heavy, so you might have more weight than space on a truck. Dry vans max weight is 45,000 lbs but usually they like to keep the weight around 43,000 lbs. Often, you are paying for the full van even though you only have 18 pallets due to the weight restrictions.
3. What kind of operation is on the receiving end? Is the shipment being sent to a residence? A business? Will the delivery need to be taken inside a building or an office - this is called Inside Delivery and is an extra charge as only some carriers or drivers are willing to perform this service? While large bulk beer & wine move are typically dock-to-dock transfers, it is important to note when they are not, as these kinds of moves often result in additional charges.
4. What kind of shipping “environment” is needed for your product - is this a Reefer load or does it need Protection from Freezing? Most trucks are not temperature controlled. For the most part, these “dry van” trucks are fine for shipping products that are not temperature sensitive, but wine and beer are definitely temp sensitive since beer is ruined if frozen and wine will spoil if too hot. Wine, can be shipped during the cooler months, or for short distances; however, shipping wine or temperature sensitive products long distances, especially during the summer months, is a gamble. Temperature controlled shipping might be the way to go - at a price. 
5. Is driver assistance needed at either point?  LTL carriers charge for inside services.  FTL drivers charge extra for any driver assistance like strapping, tarping or using a pallet jack.  These extra services can be negotiated upfront, but if this service is added on without prior knowledge, there will be an extra charge.
6. How fast does the shipment have to happen? Carriers like FedEx Freight, YRC, Daylight, and others offer different pricing based on the service requested. The various services often differ in terms of speed. For example: 

• priority service has a faster delivery time, but will be more costly than an economy service with a slower delivery time. 
• FedEx freight offers a Money Back Guarantee with their Priority Service offering. 
• Is there a dock at the pick up and delivery locations? If not, this will add a LIFTGATE service, which means a special truck is needed and could also delay the shipment. 
• Need a delivery appointment? The need for an appointment can add a minimum of 1 day to the delivery. 
• Is the delivery or pick up a Limited Access Location? 

How to secure a reliable quote and ultimately pay exactly what was quoted ~

When it does come time to request quotes for Full Truckload or Partial Truckload, it is worth asking if drivers will be working alone or as part of a team of drivers. A team of drivers can usually produce faster delivery since they are able to drive 1,000 miles per day instead of the regulated 500 miles per day per ELD Mandate, as the truck can continue to operate with minimal rest stops - although this is usually a more expensive method, it can be worth every cent if you are in a hurry.

Before getting quotes for FTL or LTL shipping, it pays to ask and answer these kinds of questions. Doing so ensures a more accurate quote and limits the “surprises” that can arise due to variances within the original quote. 

At Go123 Logistics, we have done many quotes for LTL, FTL, and other kinds of shipments, because we are transaction engineers for specialty products. If you would like to learn more, please contact us.

The Ever Evolving World of Freight Brokerage

They say the only thing constant is change and technology in the lead! There are several emerging technologies that may frighten brokers; however, if we change our perspective, we can use these new technologies to our advantage! 

Drones are a concept that is being investigated for moving packages and have been tested in some instances; however, currently they are predominately used commercially for real estate and photography (Hollingsead, 2017). Companies are working towards using them to deliver to remote locations that cannot be reached by vehicle (Hollingsead, 2017). 

Although drones will not be capable to deliver around the world, they can be used to deliver local and the final mile (Hollingsead, 2017). I understand many 3PLs do not work with the final mile; however, maybe they should if drones begin to make an appearance!

Transportation management systems are another transforming technology and they are a broker's best friend due to them being hassle free, efficient, and producing important process documentation (Hollingsead, 2017). The more advanced TMS allow carriers to self invoice, self update brokers about arrivals, departures as well as status updates along the way in real time! Go123 Logistics offers clients a personalized portal and QUICK QUOTING system that enables customers to save, manage and even book their own shipments. This tool is not only a time saver, but a technological advancement for small companies looking to get a handle on today's shipping market. 

"Establish electronic relationships that lock you into your customers and carriers. The more you automate, the easier it will be to ensure a better future!" (Hollingsead, 2017). Shipping does not need to be so scary, and using tools like TMS can propel any company, small or large into the confidence level above and beyond waiting on a broker to send them a quote.  Our TMS allows the customer freedom to have access to immediate rates, instant booking and bill of ladings.  

Ready to try out TMS for your company? Contact me now to learn more. 

Hollingsead, B. (2017). Opinion: Emerging evolution of freight brokerage. Transport Topics (November 3, 2017). Retrieved from http://www.ttnews.com/articles/opinion-emerging-evolution-freight-brokerage.

What is Considered LIMITED ACCESS?

In the world of LTL freight shipping, a term Limited Access is applied when the carrier views either a pick up location or a delivery location to be just that - Limited Access. When carrier makes a pickup or delivery at a location with limited access, there is usually, but not limited to an extra charge of $100.

Best practice is to always disclose the location to your Logistics Team beforehand to avoid extra variance fees.

Limited Access Locations include but are not limited to the following:

• Construction sites
• Storage Facilities
• Mines, Quarries, Natural Gas or Oil
• Fields (the site of any pit, excavation shaft, shaft or deposit at which coal, ore or minerals is, has been or will be extracted. Such site or “mine” shall include the property upon which the mine is located).
• Steel Mills
• Nuclear Generating Stations
• Military Installations
• Farms or Ranches
• Schools
• Churches or places of worship
• Prisons
• Airports
• Windfarms
• Camps
• Flea Markets
• Nursing Homes
• Restaurants
• Marinas
• Libraries
• Vineyards or Wineries
• Orchards
• Country Clubs or Social Clubs
• Ski Resorts, Chalets or Lodges
• Native American Reservations
• Utility Sites
• Fairs or carnivals
• Individual mini-storage units
• Commercial establishments not open to walk-in public

Other reasons Limited Access could be applied:

During normal business hours  

• Commercial establishments not having personnel readily available to assist with pickup or delivery
• Commercial establishments not having access to a loading/unloading dock or platform
• Sites where security inspections and processes are required before pickup or delivery can be performed.
• Locations where pick up or delivery requires smaller than 48 foot trailers, including but not limited to straight trucks
• Initial pickup and delivery attempts will be made on trailers 48 feet or larger unless special equipment requirements are noted on the original bill of lading or in the pickup request. Failure to note that a smaller trailer or special equipment is required for delivery may result in assessment of re-delivery charges or "Dry Run" fees

How to Avoid Variances? Be honest and clear about your pick up and delivery site so your transaction engineer can provide you with the best rate possible. Go123 Logistics can prepare you for seamless, headache free freight shipping. Contact us now for a Quick Quote. 

Electronic Logging Devices: Safety or Harassment?

Truckers across the country are up in arms over the Federally Mandated Electronic Logging Devices. If I am honest, the first time this mandate was brought to my attention I thought “what a great idea! This is a move to keep our highways safe!” However, in doing a bit more research and learning why the truck drivers are opposed to this mandate, I may need to rethink my position!

According to Depillis (2015) of the Washington Post, drivers are more concerned with harassment from the shipping companies. Upon first hearing of the drivers disdain of ELD’s, I thought it was more of a Big Brother concern as no one wants the government looking into their business; however, I learned it is more a concern of being harassed by shipping companies nagging them about stops made and tracking their every move (DePillis, 2015).

Luckily, the mandate is said to come with firm protections against coercion and harassment; however, we all know that said protections are rarely enforced and if they are, it is very time consuming! 

Time is money!! 

Though highway safety advocates and American Trucking Associations are for this mandate, many Independent truckers may choose to call it quits! (DePillis, 2015)

I know after learning this side of the story, my ideals on this topic have shifted a bit. 

What about you? How do you feel about ELD’s and the possible harassment endured by truckers?

DePillis, L. (2015). New federal rules will subject drivers to more monitoring than ever. Washington Post. (December 24, 2015). 

New Year in Shipping

Happy New Year!

We hit an ALL TIME HIGH in the last week of 2017 in all facets - TL, LTL and Reefer...flatbeds leveled out, but vans & reefers were up. Most technical indicators lag a bit but the best indicator market is price.

Thanks to the ELD Mandate and frigid weather across the Northern region, we witnessed a frenzy of people urgent to get their LTL and TL shipping moved. We felt it on the phone and over our email orders watching longer transit times across the boards and higher prices.

NEWS YOU CAN USE!

• Van Ratios Hit an All-Time High during the week of Dec 24 - 30 - This urgency to move freight before the end of the year, combined with the frigid weather and tight capacity due to both the holiday and the recently initiated ELD mandate meant that it cost more to move those loads last week. 
• Load-to-truck ratios surged, setting a new all-time record-high of 12.2 loads per truck for vans.
• Spot rates also reached historic highs: The national average van rate rose 2¢ per mile, the national reefer rate jumped up 6¢ per mile, and the average flatbed rate held steady, along with the price of fuel. 

A giant storm just descended on the North and - guess what? Truckers do not want to go where the roads are icey and LTL carriers park their trucks to avoid costly accidents. This wreaks havoc on logistics agents, because many times, we are locked in on quoted rates.

How do we cope?

Usually all it takes is some criticle thinking and some tactical transaction engineering - something we take pride in at Go123 Logistics.  We always answer our phones and stay on top of the problem to work the solution.  Under promising and over-delivering is the key to our consistent service. How can we help you?