How are You Shipping Freight to Guam?

Maybe you’re a start-up just getting off the ground. Perhaps you have worked in Guam shipping for years. Either way, you probably aren’t maximizing the effectiveness of your Guam Supply Chain as much as you can. We often talk with shippers who are locked-in to a single service solution even when it isn’t the best for their business. Here’s a list of ways to move your freight to Guam – by both air and ocean. You will see that there is more than one way to tackle shipping to Guam.

1. Deferred Service

Deferred service doesn’t mean inferior service. The phrase elicits the feeling that shipments will be ignored or mistreated – that is second-tier to expedited or standard shipping options. But if you aren’t in a rush to have your product delivered, you can take advantage of deferred service offerings to lower costs and increase your revenue on each shipment. Your freight will get to its destination a bit later, but your bottom line will see a nice boost. The increase in revenue will more than justify the reduction in speed.

 

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2. Air Freight

In a hurry to have your freight shipments delivered in Tamuning? No problem. Air freight will significantly reduce Guam ocean transit times by soaring through the air to the Mariana Islands. The planning time needed for air cargo is shortened – ensuring your product is on your shelves when your customers are shopping. Air freight can be a great asset to support project managers and help those in the retail industry. You can eliminate stalled workers by bringing supplies to them more swiftly. The price tag may be a bit more than general cargo or deferred service, but the peace of mind awarded to shippers will offset the minor hit to the wallet.

 

3. Consolidations

Consolidations are one of the most common ways shippers move their freight to Guam. Usually palletized, shipments go to a central hub on the Mainland United States. Once delivered, a team of experts will pack the shipments into 40′ containers (or 45′ containers depending on the sail), and perform drayage to a local port — such as the Port of Long Beach, CA. Shipments will then travel by cargo ship to Guam.

Moving shipments in-the-mix allows freight forwarders to fit different types of shipments together to maximize the space on a container. Think of it as a big puzzle. Finding the right combination of freight will drive overall costs down for all parties involved. Working with a freight forwarder will help reduce the amount of work needed for the shipper. Also, choosing a single source 3PL will eliminate the headaches traditionally associated with moving freight through intermodal transport. You’ll always know where your shipment is on its journey. Plus, shippers will have access to timely and accurate data. For a more detailed walkthrough of how an Asset-Based 3PL works check out our post here. 

 

4. Full Container Loads

If you have more than a few pallets of freight, it might make more sense to secure full-container-load rates from your facility. Instead of being brought to a freight forwarder’s terminal, you can use a 3PL to schedule pick-up, transport, and delivery of your container load. Many times, shippers have unused space on containers. So it is a best practice to discuss options with your freight provider before attempting to source FCL rates. When you have a regular, consistent move, your freight provider may even be able to secure lower prices for you through the steamship lines. In the shipping and transportation industry, more volume is everyone’s friend. Pass along shipping data to your provider so you can lock-in the best and most accurate price possible.

5. Small Package Service

For businesses with low volume and dimensions, utilizing small package services through freight forwarders can help bring costs down. Because of the small size, multiple parcels combine to make one shipment. After arriving in Guam, carriers will deliver to its destination. Instead of paying for each package to travel through courier services like UPS or FedEx, your shipment will fit in with the rest of the cargo in a container. It will then be delivered to its destination.

This is a great solution for small shipments such as product samples, replacement parts for small machinery, and promotional items. Anything that won’t take up much space on its own is a great candidate for small package service to Guam. Again, it is best to consult your provider before choosing a small package service to ensure it is the best fit for your needs.

 

6. Combination Service

We know – this seems like cheating. But it’s true. One of the smartest ways to move your freight to Guam could be a custom combination of the first five options. Businesses and supply chains are complex and dynamic. Getting stuck with one type of move for the nuanced reality of your needs is not the smartest option. A great 3PL will work collaboratively with their clients (shippers like you!) to craft a robust set of solutions catered to meet all requirements. After all, even with a solid business plan, no one knows how the next year (or 5) will look. So don’t limit your options by choosing a provider that only does one thing. Find a partner who can meet the unique challenges of your supply chain.

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