What is the Balikbayan Box Phenomenon? With today’s order-online approach to gift-giving, you can send a gift to someone without ever seeing the product itself. It can seem a bit impersonal. Not so with the tradition of the balikbayan box. In Tagalog, one of the main languages of the Philippines, “balikbayan” means returning to one’s country. For millions of Filipinos living and working around the world, shipping a balikbayan box to family back home is a way of returning there in spirit.   What is a balikbayan box? It’s a large, easy-to-assemble and sturdy cardboard box filled with all sorts of items destined for loved...

Often overlooked, the question of how a product is going to reach customers is very important. This type of oversight can quickly turn a carefully designed product into a logistics nightmare. Your team will be left scrambling to secure rates which won’t turn your revenue stream upside down. Fluctuations in fuel, shifts of demand in certain lanes, and changes to volume all play a part in altering shipping rates from day-to-day. There are many factors that play into cost, but ocean freight shippers have another variable to consider. That variable is the Ocean Freight General Rate Increase (GRI). Great supply chains are centered around one key piece...

Not everyone in the logistics industry works in the warehouse. Many of us aren’t constantly lifting boxes, hopping on and off forklifts, and stretching around to wrap, tie and secure product. Most logistics professionals are in the office. While we may have the benefit of year round climate control, our bodies miss out on important exercise at work, which can leave us feeling stressed and worn down. If you are like the Approved ‘Ohana, you’re constantly looking for ways to improve your health, and balance a healthy lifestyle with a rigorous work schedule. But we also don’t want to be that person in the office,...

The Heart and Soul of Approved.  With a combined 78 years at The DeWitt Companies, Marie Flores and George Fomenko aren’t just logistics experts – they’re examples of what it means to be ‘Ohana. Marie and George were two of the first five employees of Approved Freight Forwarders, and have dedicated their lives to Approved’s growth and success. Last December, they received Collaborative Diamond awards for their service to the company, and for embodying what it means to “Be ‘Ohana.” We’d like to highlight these two very important members of our Approved family. George Fomenko Dock Supervisor Originally from Latvia, George’s parents and grandparents were...

Last Updated: September 27, 2022 If you’re using freight services for personal or business needs, you’ll need to know how to measure your freight. Learning how to precisely measure your cargo and calculate things like its density and dim factor will help you ensure that your shipments stay within your budget and on deadline. Below, you’ll find our complete guide to freight measurement. We’ll show you how to accurately determine your freight’s dimensions and take correct measurements—including measuring your pallet. We’ll also demonstrate how to use those numbers to calculate the information your carrier or freight forwarder will need to get you an accurate quote...

We’re often asked by individuals and business clients to describe safe packaging and shipping best practices for various types of freight. From selecting the proper shipping boxes and shipping supplies to correct labeling, the key to shipping boxes safely starts with the fundamentals. Keep in mind that the shipper is responsible for packaging the shipment and labeling it well enough to protect the contents from damage during normal transportation. But the experts at Approved can answer your questions about packaging or provide you with a customized list of packaging guidelines for your shipment. Shipping best practices: general guidelines Following the basics of safe packaging can...