If you work in the import/export industry, you’ll be only too aware of the fact that sending freight contributes a significant expense to your business. Of course, you can’t avoid that cost. You have to move goods if you want to buy or sell them. But there are things that you can do to mitigate that expense.
These are our top tips for reducing your overheads when sending freight to Europe.
Five Tips for Reducing the Costs of Sending Freight to Europe
1. Consider different freight solutions
There is more to freight than meets the outsider’s eye. And often, the first price and service you discover won’t be the best to suit your needs. Rather than opting immediately for standard road, sea or air freight, consider the other potential options. Groupage can be a more cost-effective solution, allowing you to share a truck with other compatible suppliers. While multi-modal freight allows a freight forwarder to transport goods that aren’t time-sensitive via the most economical means – perhaps a combination of road, rail, and sea. It still gets your goods from A to B, safely and efficiently, with no extra paperwork from you, but without unnecessary expenditure.
2. Change the frequency of your shipments
If you’re purchasing or selling a particular set of goods on a regular basis, would it be feasible to increase your order size and decrease the frequency of your shipments? It’s cheaper to transport one full load from the UK to Spain than it is to transport two half loads. That way, you gain more profit from the same amount of goods because you’re cutting back on your overheads.
3. Work with a regular freight forwarder
Whether you have a lot of freight to send, or just the occasional pallet, it’s always tempting to shop around. A lot of businesses seek three, or even five, quotes for every shipment, opting for the lowest price on the day. But that immediate cost isn’t everything. You’re spending time and effort searching for the lowest fee. Time and effort that could be better spent on other areas of your business. Whereas if you work with a regular freight forwarder, such as Plexus Freight, you’ll build a relationship with a company that appreciates your loyalty. And not only saves you money through the provision of a regular freight contract, but also provides outstanding service, advanced security, and a range of logistics solutions.
4. Get insured
One of the greatest areas of potential loss when it comes to imports and exports is the failure to correctly insure your goods. If you work with a reputable freight forwarder, they will do everything in their power to protect your stock. And they will have their own liability insurance. But that insurance only goes so far. And there are some things that a haulier simply can’t be held responsible for, such as packaging failure. By not adequately insuring your goods, you are setting yourself up for loss.
5. Take care and prepare
Preparation is really important if you want to do the best for your business. When sending freight to Europe, that means packing your goods well. Understanding how you should and shouldn’t prepare your pallets for shipping. Crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s with your client contracts so you’re protected against liability claims in the event of delays and transportation issues – who can predict strikes, or wild weather? Ensuring that your customs and shipping documents are all correctly completed so that you don’t face any avoidable fees. And all of the other day-to-day administrative details that can easily make a business come unstuck.
There’s no denying that sending freight to Europe can be a costly experience. But if you’re savvy, pay attention to detail, and build good working relationships, there are plenty of ways to start to keep those costs down.
If you’re looking for a trustworthy freight forwarder to transport your goods between the UK and Europe, get in touch with Plexus Freight for a quote today.
