International Shipping & Freight Forwarding Blog

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WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A RELIABLE INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT FORWARDER:

The glossary connected International freight forwarding companies can be pages and pages long. Basically, an international freight forwarder or forwarding agent is also called a non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC).

ETC International Freight Systems is a freight forwarder and we organize shipments of many different types of freight for organizations or individuals with the goal of getting products or goods to a targeted market from a manufacturer or producer to it's final destination.

Before we move on, we would like to offer you some other articles and information that should help with your research and hopefully answer many of your questions. getting as much knowledge to you can only help and we have years of experience that will help you sort out your questions and make this process easier and much smoother:

• Moving freight overseas & what you should know about ocean shipping.
• Moving your residence overseas
• Business relocation and how to make such a serious move stress free
• A wealth of knowledge moving overseas through a series of our blog articles

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THERE IS NO MORE HIGHLY REGULATED INDUSTRY THAN INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING:

This particular blog is a bit on the lighter side for two reasons. First, we think it's important to take advantage of the opportunity to take a step back and look at the less serious side of your job and second, there are some entertaining stories and facts in this article that will help you with the first reason.

Before we move forward to the world of strange and puzzling international shipping regulations, here are some more serious articles and information to make your overseas shipping challenges easier to solve:

• First: Get An Accurate Rate Quote For Your Shipping Needs
• Second: Tips To Reduce Your Overseas Shipping Budget
• Third: Have You Consider Your Warehousing & Distribution Options
• Forth: What To Know About Shipping Contracts, Before You Sign

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KNOWLEDGE IS POWER:

Even though you may have experience importing or exporting goods overseas, there are always new developments and ways to educate yourself or your team on the best practices of international freight forwarding.

At ETC International Freight Systems, we work hard on providing solutions to our customers and that includes this blog. We feel it's important to spend the time and effort to offer ideas, knowledge and other information that will ultimately help stream line any overseas shipping challenge.

In this blog, we are providing a basic checklist for those organizations needing to ship cargo across the ocean. As you will read, there are many different methods and considerations and each one helps you get closer to the perfect overseas shipping model.

Before we get started, we would like to offer some related information that should make your research more complete:

• When You're Ready, Get A Rate Quote To Ship Cargo Overseas
• Get A Free "Moving Checklist" To Be Sure You Cover Everything
• International Freight Forwarding's Most Frequently Asked Questions

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A BETTER BUDGET EQUALS MORE PROFIT:

Overseas shipping plays a different role in each company. The priority isn't the same and the magnitude varies depending on what your company focuses on, what type of products you sell and how you market your goods.

This article was created to help many different types of companies and their specific needs. Some of these overseas shipping budget ideas will fit your operation and others won't. But, this post is a good read and will spur some ideas that will help you consider different ways to take more control of your international shipping budget.

Before we get into the main subject matter, here are a few links that might help with other international shipping challenges:

• Start With A Rate Quote For Your Next Shipment
• Have You Considered Warehousing & Distribution Alternatives
• Help With Ocean Freight Options

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REEFERS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING:

If you or your business has been shipping products overseas for a while, you probably already know that a "Reefer" is the term used for a refrigerated container. A container is simply a large metal box used to transport goods by air, ocean, road or rail. A Reefer is the same type of container but refrigerated for any goods that require a constant, cooler temperature.

Reefers are mostly used for the transportation of meats, vegetables, dairy and other products that need temperature control like medications or flowers.

Here is some related, international shipping information. Check out these articles created to help any business needing to understand more about freight forwarding and shipping products overseas:

• Get A Rate Quote For An Upcoming Shipment
• What To Know About Ocean Shipping & Container Sizes
• Most Frequently Asked Questions About International Shipping
• Understanding Air Freight, Cargo & Containers

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PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE:

Importing and exporting by ocean is a major element of many businesses around the world. Do you own, operate or have a stake in a business that exports products overseas by container, using freight forwarding or other international shipping services?

If the answer is yes, then you might be interested in today's blog post about how climate change, global warming and the greenhouse effect may impact your business. Maybe sooner than you think. As with many blogs, we feel information is one of the best commodities you can have to help you build a business. In this case prepare for a changing world.

Would you like some more information? Here are some more articles written to help organizations that export using ocean freight services, air freight services, distribution & warehousing services:

• How Can I Get An Ocean Freight Shipping Rate Quote?
• Ocean Freight Services vs. Air Freight Services
• Most Frequently Asked Questions About Overseas Shipping

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INTRODUCTION:

We all have our unique and individual skill sets. And, if we work hard or have been working hard in our life, we may have multiple skill sets. With that said, most of us still must admit that we need help and input from others fairly often. Maybe the first thing that come to mind is medicine. Unless you're a doctor, you're going to want help with most things medical. Business faces the same reality. Maybe you can be your accountant but it's probably not the smartest decision you'll ever make. Even if you wanted to try, do you think you would be able to represent your business in a legal proceeding? Probably not. Most well run businesses need specialists for accounting, legal, marketing, human resources, shipping and more. Even if you are capable, you still need to delegate and make sure all critical activities are managed and executed properly. Wearing to many hats can prove detrimental. After all, cleaning companies are just as important in your business process because ultimately, you want all aspects of your operation handled by individuals or teams that can do the best job possible at the best price.

International shipping is one of these critical components that is best managed by an experienced business partner. In fact, international shipping has so many variables and moving parts and can become complicated at times. As a business, you want to be sure you have an experienced, reliable partner you can lean on from start to finish to be sure your shipping operation is as smooth as can be. This article will help advance your research and better understand the staples to this operation you will need to understand yourself is you are relocating a business or relocating a residence and family. Our goal is to help you prepare better for hiring an international shipping company or at least understand more about the process. For many organizations, international shipping plays a key role in the success and profitability of their business. International shipping also plays an important role for families relocating overseas, shipping a car overseas or an individual accepting a new job overseas. There are so many questions that should be asked and so many different situations that call for focused answers. This blog post will help businesses, individuals and families through the process of moving overseas and international shipping in general.

Before we get started, here are some other articles that may also help with your international or domestic shipping requirements:

• Get A Fast Rate Quote On A Specific Shipping Need
• Planning To Make A Residential Move Overseas
• Warehousing & Distribution Options & Procedures

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INTRODUCTION:

It may happen only once in a lifetime. It may happen 2 or 3 times but whatever the number ends up to be, moving overseas presents a great number of challenges.

I would like to suggest that regardless of the challenges, moving overseas can and should be a very exciting and adventurous experience. Think about and focus on all of the opportunities that await you. Imagine the new city, town or even village where you will be living. Everything will be new. From your new neighbors to the shop where you get your morning coffee, you'll have the opportunity to reshape so many facets of your life.

Yes it may be a little scary but I can tell you from 30 years of experience helping families and businesses relocate overseas, the majority (by far) settle and end up extremely happy with their new surroundings. I have personally developed relationships with all types of people that had to or simply wanted to move overseas for business or personal reasons. Because they had spent the time needed to create and develop a plan, the move went smoothly and they could enjoy the experience that much more. It is my hope, that through this blog post, you will be able to decrease the stress you may be feeling by becoming more prepared for your overseas moving adventure.

Need some related information? Check out these other articles & resources:

• Get An Accurate Overseas Moving Rate Quote
• Residential Overseas Moving Checklist
• Ocean Shipping vs. Air Shipping

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INTRODUCTION:

Getting a freight quote is obviously one of the primary steps involved shipping overseas and making a profit, no matter what product or products are involved. This post was created for any company that is in the international shipping market and includes obtaining a freight quote as part of their ongoing operation. This article will help those that are getting started with overseas shipping in a business environment, those moving overseas and need a one time quote or any business or individual needing a quote for auto shipping.

Research will naturally be a part of your activities but hopefully this article will help you cover much of the information required under one roof. Yes, ETC International Freight Systems does provide these types of services but we have always believed in transparency as demonstrated in the hundreds of other blog posts we have listed in this section of the ETC website.

Here are some other articles that might help with your research:

• The Federal Maritime Commission Dos & Don't
• Shipping Your Goods Abroad From "SafeHouse"
• "Packing To Go" - US Gov't Recommendations

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HOW TO OUTSOURCE YOUR WAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTIONS SERVICES:

Contemplating your warehousing & distribution services is a good problem to have. Typically this means your original business idea is getting traction and you are in a state of growth. To become successful and as profitable as can be, you want your warehousing and distribution services to be as efficient as possible. Hopefully, this blog post will share some valuable options and supply solutions to best develop these customer services.

Whether your small idea has blossomed more than you were prepared for or or this was an expected part of your larger business plan, at some point you will need to create the best possible solution for warehousing and distribution. Because when done right, your marketing message can reach a greater market share than expected and your staff and facilities are not configured efficiently, you run the risk of jeopardizing customer service and need to develop better answers.

Here are some other international shipping strategies that might help your business development:

• Get A No Cost Rate Quote For International Shipping
• Considering Ocean Shipping Services
• International Automobile Shipping Information

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