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Helpful Articles - Logistics

When you’re selecting a freight forwarder or shipper, you might notice that they use “agents” in certain destinations to make the final delivery of your freight. This can be especially prevalent in far-flung places like Hawaii and Guam.  Before deciding on a forwarder, you should know that using agents can have three potential areas of impact on your business. To help you make a well-informed decision, we’ll walk you through each one of them so you can see how delivery from an agent might affect your operations.  But, first, let’s walk through the role of an agent so you can understand how it works—and why a forwarder might use an agent in the first place.  When a freight forwarder or shipper doesn’t...

A freight forwarder can be a crucial partner for shipping supplies and delivering goods to customers. Additionally, an exceptional freight forwarder can be more than just an intermediary between you and the carriers who move your freight. In this article, we’ll explain: What is a freight forwarder, exactly? What does a freight forwarder do? What kind of advantages can they offer a business? If you’re not already working with a freight forwarder, this article will help you evaluate potential partners. And if you’re already working with a freight forwarder, this article can help you get more out of your relationship—and secure an even bigger advantage...

Some hazardous materials are easy to spot. For example, it’s clear why a can of gasoline, a barrel of hydrofluoric acid or a crate of fireworks would require special labeling and handling when shipped.   However, there are a number of hazardous items that aren’t as obvious. Because it’s critical to disclose these items to your carrier so they can be properly labeled, packaged and handled, we’ll run you through a list of six unexpected hazardous materials you should be aware of.   After all, mislabeled hazardous materials can create dangerous situations on the boats, trucks, and planes that carry them—and the fines that result can be steep. Additionally, procedures for domestic shipments differ from those for international ones, and some materials that are permitted...

Last Updated: June 24, 2024   Like many specialized industries, logistics has its own vocabulary. One set of popular logistics terms has been causing significant confusion lately: 3PL vs. 4PL vs. 5PL. Recently, there's even been talk of 6PLs and 7PLs. (!) With companies continuing to innovate in the logistics space, all of these terms are getting thrown around more than ever, and many people aren't sure exactly what they mean. To help you understand the difference between 3PL, 4PL, and 5PL providers—and find the right solution for your business—we'll walk you through all this terminology. We'll also discuss the pros and cons of 3PLs, 4PLs,...

Air freight offers you the advantage of being able to move shipments quickly—and with a minimum amount of handling. However, when your cargo includes items that are considered hazardous, there are a few regulations you’ll need to comply with in order to leverage this mode of transport.   Even if you’re familiar with shipping hazardous materials via ocean freight, you should know that air freight has its own unique set of rules. These regulations keep your shipment safe in transit. They also protect the plane and its aircrew as they move your cargo to its destination.  To help you keep compliant with the hazardous materials regulations—and ensure timely delivery of your shipments—we’ll answer the four most common...

As your company grows, your logistics needs will likely grow, too. You may outgrow a shipping vendor who only moves packages from origin to destination. Instead, you might find yourself searching for a solution to manage whole sections of your supply chain. At that juncture, you have a choice: Bring the expertise in house or outsource.   Outsourcing your transportation management offers several distinct advantages. It gives you near-instant access to expertise without having to train or hire a team member. Outsourcing can also help you simplify your operations, spot inefficiencies in your supply chain and solve logistical challenges to help your operations run even more smoothly.  To help you decide whether outsourcing your transportation management is right for...