A Guide to Sending Freight to and From the UK

According to the 2007 World Trade Organisation, the UK is the 7th largest exporter and 4th largest importer of merchandise in the world. This fact leads one into realising the large movement of freight that takes place to and from this country at the international level.

Freight movement in the UK market is carried out through all four modes of transportation- air, sea, rails and roads. While rails and roads have been preferred modes with over 60% of such freight movement being made by roads in terms of volume, rail freight is also seeing tremendous growth with the construction sector eyeing it for their freight movements.

Despite such growth in rail and road freight movements, freight by air has also made a mark with a growth of over 30% in the same. Air freight has contributed to almost one-third of freight movements from UK in terms of value. This is testament to the fact that in the UK, air freight is preferred for goods of high value rather than of high quantity while freight movement by roads is preferred for bulky goods.

With growing exports to the UK, freight movement into UK has tremendously grown. Not surprising, considering the fact that UK has made visible moves towards allowing more imports from foreign countries into its own. While member countries of the European Union (EU) have been abolished from most of UK's import licensing controls, other preferential countries have minimal rates of customs duties applicable on their products.

For freight movement out of UK, exporters are required to provide Customs with an exports declaration and also maintain proof of exports like contract correspondence, copy export invoices and evidence of payment among others for VAT purposes.

While the UK has been encouraging imports, freight movement in the UK, like all other countries still has some regulations. Antiques are taxed at reduced VAT rates and all gifts have duties imposed on them. While motorcycles and vehicles have different import rules to comply with, they are not free from duties.

Taking into consideration the present trends regarding UK's export and import, it is right to believe that sending freight to and from the UK has been simplified and cannot be called an obstacle to growth. Add to this the easy availability of certified freight forwarders who have a strong network and knowledge in the field of freight transfers and the movement of freight from one country to another will no more seem to be stressful.

Bob writes for the Devon Freight Company, UK and about Freight to China Asia.

International Freight Carriers - What Do They Do?

Companies are now expanding their business operations to attract customers from all over the world. This has lead to an increase in businesses shipping items to many places throughout the world. The result of an increase in international shipping has been an increased demand for International Freight Carriers.

International freight shipping involves shipping cargo by air and sea to other countries. International freight carriers are responsible for shipping items and cargo to their international destinations. For transporting freight internationally, special planes assigned to shipping cargo are used. If the cargo is too heavy or big for a cargo plane, then a cargo ship is used. Sometimes a plane may be prohibited from carrying a particular type of cargo, so a transport ship is used. Shipping by boat will take longer. It is cheaper, but if one is on a delivery deadline, it may not be a good choice.

International freight carriers are involved with importing and exporting goods and materials from a variety of countries. International shipments normally involve a number of carriers that includes freight forwarders and air freight agents. They handle any legal requirements for importing and exporting goods to other countries.

They implement a step-by-step shipment process, usually with freight forwarding companies, that involves providing logistical support, assembling items for International shipment, weighing freight and measuring the size to determine shipment costs, arranging for space to ship the cargo, arranging pertinent documentation for customs clearance, preparing international documentation such as the shipper's export declaration, commercial invoice, bill of lading, and other documents required by the importing and exporting country.

They are also responsible for loading and unloading freight and keeping their clients informed about the status of their shipment. The International freight carrier relies on freight forwarding companies to make sure that all those involved in the shipment process are informed and operating efficiently to ensure the freight arrives on time and in the same condition as when it left.

International Air Freight Agents are involved in the importing and exporting of cargo by airplane, particularly cargo plane. Airline companies pay them a fee to arrange and carry out the shipment of cargo internationally. Tasks that are involved include arranging inbound and out bound shipments, receiving the payment from the customer, preparing for the shipment that includes arranging for space weighing and measuring the cargo, assembling the appropriate documentation, loading the cargo, and unloading the cargo at its destination.

International freight carriers can transport a variety of types of cargo or specialize in a particular item such as farm machinery. Carriers are responsible for ensuring that items that are banned in a country are not shipped to that country. Many international air freight carriers will offer discounts on a certain volume of cargo being shipped.

International freight shipping is a complicated process that requires an efficient system of people involved in ensuring items arrive safely and undamaged. International air freight carriers take the aggravation out of shipping items to other countries. They are experts in their field and can answer any of their clients' questions. International air freight carriers make expanding a business internationally much easier and more affordable.

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What is Air Freight?

There are several differences between shipping items with an Air freight company and shipping with an LTL carrier. As you may guess, the main difference is the mode of transportation that is used to move product from the origin point to the final destination. LTL carriers use a network of trucks consolidating freight along the way through their break bulk points before the product is finally delivered. Air carriers use a group of local trucks to pick up and deliver the freight, but utilize a network of airlines (both commercial and cargo) to do the bulk of the freights movement. By comparing the basic transportation difference, you can probably also determine the next main difference in shipping with an LTL carrier vs. shipping through an Air carrier; that would be transit time.

Air carriers can also offer something the LTL carriers cannot, which is next day or 2nd day services from any origin point in the US to any US destination point. Due to the way LTL carriers network their equipment, it would be very difficult for an LTL carrier to provide next day or 2ND day services for shipments moving over 500 miles. Also, air carriers can provide guaranteed delivery dates for next day and 2nd day shipments. This is a very good service that fits a customer's need to get product to the final destination quickly and on time. This type of service does introduce us to the third main difference in shipping LTL vs. air and that is price.

Air carriers will provide very quick transit times and can easily guarantee delivery dates, but in comparison to the cost of shipping a product LTL, shipping via air freight can be very expensive. This type of service is not something a customer will use on a regular basis but can be very helpful in a time of need.

One other difference between LTL freight and air freight is how a customer's price is calculated. LTL carriers take into account the origin and destination zip codes, the products total weight and freight class. Air carriers calculate rates based on the origin zip code, destination zip code, and the products total weight and dimensions. Freight class is not used to calculate air freight. Air freight rate shipments based on a per pound rate based on the greater of either the shipments actual weight or the dimensional weight.

To calculate a products dimensional weight, you will multiply the shipments length, width and height (in inches) and then divide the total by 194. You then would compare that number against the shipments actual weight. The greater amount of the two is what you would use to calculate the total cost.

Dimensional weight example: A customer has a shipment that weighs 1000 lbs and is 48" long X 58" wide X 72" high. To find out which is greater, the dimensional weight or the actual weight, you would use the below equation:

(L) 48 * (W) 58 * (H) 72 = 200,488

200,488/194 = 1033 dim weight

In this example, the product's dimensional weight is greater than the products actual weight. One thing that LTL carriers and Air carriers have in common is the fact that they are renting out container space on the vehicle they are moving the product with. If a product has a dimensional weight that is greater than the actual weight, the carrier must be able to make up for potential lost revenue.

Air freight

What Does an Air Freight Agent Do?

When it comes to enlisting a shipping service to transport cargo, there are many people involved the task of making sure that the cargo reaches its destination on-time and intact. Air Freight Agents are one particular group of people who play a major role in transporting freight. Freight agents are responsible for the import and export of cargo by means of an airplane. They act on behalf of the airlines that pay them a fee for their service. Some air freight agents specialize within certain countries and others specialize in shipping items all over the world.

Duties of Air Freight Agent can include:

* Directing inbound and outbound air freight shipments to their prearranged destinations
* Assembling cargo according to their destination that includes arranging space for the shipment.
* Receiving bookings from customers for shipments and arranging for pickup of the freight and delivery to the cargo airplane
* Weighing the cargo and calculating the shipment costs. They put freight bills in order and accept shipping payments from the customers.
* Assembling appropriate documents and prepares and processes the documents and includes the information with the shipments
* Notifying shippers of departure delays
* Unloading inbound freight and contacting customers when the cargo arrives, as well as arranging for delivery.
* Arranging cargo movement to an international destination. Prepares international documentation that includes: commercial invoice, shipper's export declaration, bill of lading, and other documents required by the carrier or country they are shipping to.

Some freight agents specialize in certain cargo such as clothing. All agent services have their own specific rules and regulations for transporting cargo. One of these regulations is not permitting the import and export of illegal and prohibited goods. They will also have certain weight limitations. If a customer's cargo surpasses the maximum allowed weight, there are usually added shipping costs

Most services will arrange for pick up cargo from the customer's location and deliver the cargo right to the recipient's door step. Sometimes there is an additional price associated with door-to-door delivery. The agent can also arrange for discounts for a large volume of cargo.

For shipments that are time-sensitive or destined to an isolated location, air freight shipping is the most effective and quickest way of shipping. Air freight agents are there to meet customer needs as well as ensuring airline transportation runs smoothly.

Air freight agents are able to ensure an efficient and easy transport of cargo by bringing all shipping processes together so that the cargo arrives at its destination on time and in the same condition as when it was shipped. Agents are knowledgeable about the shipping process and can answer such inquiries as: if the item can be picked up and delivered to the destination, shipping insurance prices, when the item will arrive, and the methods they use to track an item. When calling an agent, make sure you have the measurements and weight of the cargo.

Individuals and businesses that have used the services of an air freight agent have enjoyed the benefits of hassle-free freight shipment. Using a highly regarded air freight agent who understands the air transport procedure ensures a stress free, easy, and safe delivery of your air freight cargo.

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Air Freight - Give Your Package The Room To Fly

Was it really so long ago when flying was still a novelty. What am I saying, there are people walking around this earth that don't have a clue about cooking on a stove, so how could they ever conceive of a time without flight. So humans wanted to fly, and even though they were born without wings, that was just a minor detail that they would eventually overcome. Eventually the airplane became a reality, and not only that, but time and technology made it possible for other people to ride the plane besides the pilot. But humans are restless, and began thinking of other ways to use the air plane.

One of the ideas for using a plane, was to allow them to carry freight. History was made in November of 1910, when a department store shipped a bolt of silk by air from Dayton to Columbus, Ohio. This was considered the first demonstration of air freight. In 1919, American Railway Express used a converted bomber to ship 1100 pounds of freight from Washington, D.C. to Chicago; unfortunately, the radiator froze and the plane had to land in Ohio, but that didn't stop the company from continuing to use planes as a way to move their freight. In the late 1920s, many airlines were known to be freight carriers. The invention of air freight was great for American business, not only did it allow them to get parts and merchandise quicker, but the speed of the process meant that businesses didn't have to keep as much inventory on hand.

As with any great idea, the early stages of the air freight industry saw tremendous growth. In 1927, only 45,000 pounds were shipped, but by 1931, that number had grown to over one million pounds a year. Although there were some attempts at organizing the air freight industry early on, the first commercial airlines that were all cargo did not happen until after World War II. In March of 1941, the top four airlines; United, American, Eastern and TWA formed Air Cargo, Inc., to deliver freight. Air Cargo operated during most of the war, and continued on until 1944. Near the end of the war, many of the airlines, including TWA and United, decided to start their own independent air freight services.

Many small plane operators wanted to join the air freight industry, but they weren't welcomed. The big airlines made it clear that they didn't want the small plane operators in the business. The big airlines believed that the small plane operators would make the industry unstable; plus, they really didn't want any competition. There were a few small plane operators that tried, but practically all of them fell by the wayside. But there was one small plane operator that survived, its name was Flying Tiger. Flying Tiger was owned by Robert Prescott, who was a "Flying Tigers" pilot during the war. Flying Tiger was able to survive because it delivered both civilian and military freight. During the 1960s, Flying Tiger became the largest air freight airline in the country.

Despite great hopes, especially after a tremendous start, the air freight industry wasn't growing as expected. It wasn't until the 1980s that someone tried to put a new spin on air freight; and that person was Fred Smith. Fred didn't believe the way the air freight industry was doing business was efficient or good for business and he opened up his own air freight business in Memphis, and named it Federal Express. A major plus for customers who chose Federal Express, was that they offered guaranteed next-day delivery. Within ten years of operations, Federal Express reported revenues of one billion dollars. In 1989, Federal Express bought Flying Tiger. The two companies were merged together to create the world's largest full-service all cargo airline.

Today, Federal Express is joined by United Parcel Service, which got its start back in 1907, as two of the more trusted and reliable air freight delivery services.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Air Freight

The Future of the Chinese Air Freight Industry

China is the fastest growing aviation market in the world thanks to the expansion of its air freight and air passenger industries. With air freight growth volumes predicted to drop off this year, how will the country’s significance in the aviation market be affected?

The growth of China’s air freight industry has led to a surge in the Asian cargo business over the last few years. This is reflected in the fact that air freight from Asia to Dallas Fort Worth airport (which is the leader in Asian cargo in the eastern and southern U.S) increased by 42% in 2004.

However, it is expected that China’s air freight volume growth will ease off this year. This will happen as the market returns to a more stable expansion pace after the post SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) rebound in 2004 and 5.

In 2004 and 2005, China’s air freight volume increased by 25% and 20% respectively. Passenger traffic also grew at this time; by 33% in 2004 and by 20% in 2005. This was as a result of people taking to the skies following the outbreak of SARS in the region.

Although the growth rate of China’s air freight business is expected to ease off this year, it will not halt altogether. According to freight industry experts, air freight cargo volumes are anticipated to rise by 10% in 2006. If it does so, China’s air freight volume will be 3.36 million tons.

Similarly, air passenger numbers are also likely to increase. China’s aviation regulator estimates that air passenger number swill increase by 15%. This will mean that 159 million people will travel by air out of China in 2006.

The continued growth of China’s air freight and air passenger volumes is relevant to the country as it is the fastest growing aviation market in the world today. As a result China is an important battleground between Boeing and Airbus.

Boeing has entered into discussions with China to supply the country with 150 jets. Whilst Airbus has signed a deal with China to supply 150 A320 jets to it. As a result China’s role in the global aviation market is likely to remain very significant despite a slight slow down in its air freight industry’s growth rate.

GBS Freight provides the following services: Air Freight. Freight Forwarding UK.

Air Freight - Everything You Need to Know About Air Freight

In an increasingly globalised world where business transcends national borders and international trade is a necessity, people are always looking for the best way to move products. Air freight is the fastest way to ship goods overseas for both private and corporate customers. Whether you are shipping personal items, gifts or products, air freight is a reliable and time saving method of transportation.

For personal shipping, air services will get your goods to their destination safely and quickly. For businesses, shipping by air will keep your business running smoothly. Many freight companies offer businesses combined air and land or air and sea services to save money while still keeping a reasonable time frame.

The history of air freight has been a story of constant growth. The first attempts at Air freight were made in the 1920s, but commercial shipping companies did not get involved until the 1950s. Today, with the technological advances in airplane technology and the huge increase in air cargo services, air freight is a safe and well organised business in itself. As international trade continues to grow, the demand for air cargo transport is steadily increasing.

In the United Kingdom, air freight is often a preferred method for export businesses since the country exports a large amount of high value goods such as technical instruments and so on. Air transport now covers nearly one third of the UK's freight transportation by value.

Air freight is extremely time efficient, usually shipping goods within one to two weeks, or within days for express services. The cost of air freight can be up to ten times that of shipping by sea, so it is usually used for smaller, high value shipments. It is also essential in transporting time sensitive goods, such as perishable food, flowers, and live products. International freight forwarding companies make a lucrative business from arranging the logistics of air cargo shipping, connecting customers and transport providers for mutually beneficial and efficient business.

Air freight is irrevocably linked to the ups and downs of air transport generally. When prices of fuel increase, the increased costs will be transferred to customers of freight forwarders. As efforts continue to reduce the environmental impact of carbon emissions caused by excessive air transport, air freight prices may rise. In the coming years we may see drastic changes in the way we transport goods, but for now air freight is a booming industry and an integral part of the UK's international economy.

Bob writes for the Cardiff Shipping company and about Bristol Freight Forwarding in the UK and internationally.