Thinking inside the box: Helping you pick the right mode of transport for your export goods

Custom wood case being prepared for shipping export goods

When it comes to getting your goods from A to B safely, it’s important to think INSIDE the box.

John Pipe International regularly handles a variety of freight and packing needs, from small polybag packing through to cartons, special contents containers, and static sensitive types. We can transport any type of cargo.

When choosing your services for export goods, you want guaranteed reliability and safety at the forefront. Our standards are up to ISO 9001 2015 quality, and we can also offer advice and packing solutions for MOD contracts with our MPAS accreditation.

The Meaning of Freight

When talking about freight in logistics, we are referring to all export goods transported in bulk. This can be done by train, truck, ship or aircraft. John Pipe International have over 60 years of experience providing freight services from the UK. We can manage your project from start to finish and ensure it arrives safely at its destination.

While the term refers to the bulk of export goods being transported, the meaning of freight can differ depending on the mode of transport chosen. You can choose to transport your goods by air, land or sea. Each mode of freight transport has its own benefits, some of which are listed below.

So what are the different types of freight options to choose from at John Pipe International?

Air Freight

Air freight is the term used to describe the transportation of bulk export goods by aircraft. It is regarded as the fastest and most reliable way to get your export to its destination. Air travel gives you access to almost every destination across the globe, making it easy to get your export goods where they need to be.

If your export goods require urgency in its transportation time-scale, air freight is the option to choose as it is the fastest and most reliable mode of transport. So if you’re an exporter who likes things done diligently, air freighting is for you.  

With this, it does make it the most costly mode of transport. Our team can provide you with a quote for your air freight project or find a solution to work with your budget.

Advantages of Air Freight

We’ve covered that air freight is renowned for its speed, allowing you to reach any point in the world quicker than any other mode of freight transport, but what else might you opt for air freight for?

  • Flexibility: The flexible schedules and dates air freight provides allows any export goods to reach its destination efficiently.
  • Loading Capacity: In comparison to maritime transport (sea freight), air freight is more limited. However, it still offers the ability to transport a number of export goods ranging from small to large in their size.
  • Border Access: With air freight, there are less physical barriers in comparison to the other modes of transport.
  • Cargo: Air freight offers the ideal way to transport goods that might be of high value or fragile, with its security and safety. In addition, temperature control is a factor air freight offers to ensure specific temperature control if necessary.

Land Freight

Land freight is the term given to bulk export goods transported by truck or train. Road freight uses vehicles of all sizes to transport your freight from A to B. It is commonly used domestically to complete the final leg of your exports’ journey.

Advantages of exporting goods via land freight

  • Borders: Rail freight can cross borders, even continents where the rail infrastructure allows. Your cargo will be packed and loaded onto a freight train before making its journey to its destination.
  • Cost: Land freight is typically the most cost-effective and can be the fastest option for smaller journeys. When sea and air freight are concerned, your exports follow a travel path. Land freight can take the best route to minimise delays.

We have decades of experience which has given us intimate knowledge of the best land based routes.

Sea Freight

Sea freight shipping is a method of transporting cargo or bulk export goods overseas by boat. Your cargo is carefully packed and the container is loaded onto a vessel to be transported anywhere in the world.

This is a good option for any sized exporter. Sea freight gives you access to places that aren’t accessible by aircraft, such as Antarctica or the Falkland Islands. Although not as fast as air freight, it is a reliable service choice for blue chip companies and SMEs.

Advantages of exporting goods via sea freight

  • Efficiency: No matter the size of your shipments, sea freight is undeniably the best mode of transport to accommodate your needs when exporting high volumes of cargo, as they are designed exactly for this purpose. This mode of transport can also be cost-efficient for smaller export goods as they can be grouped with other cargo to fill a container. 
  • Bulky cargo: A major advantage of using sea freight is its ability to handle oversized, heavy or bulky cargo. Items can be moved with ease as ships are suitable to carry machinery and industrial equipment.

Specialist Freight

Specialist freight is required when a project isn’t conventional. It could be because the export goods are out of gauge, very fragile, temperature critical or needed urgently. Another common reason is that the destination is hard to get to, with very few ships and aircraft going in that direction.

Our specialist freight solution isn’t decided by you, or by us. It’s decided by the goods and the best available transport. 

When John Pipe International takes on specialist projects, we can never predict the end result. The process starts with a phone call. This won’t take long. We take a few details from you about your cargo and then you’re free to go. We can then start designing an export packing solution that is up to ISO 9001 2015 standards. We also hold an MPAS accreditation which means we are able to provide packing solutions that meet a UK military or NATO level standard.

With years of experience under our belts, you can rely on us to come up with an effective solution for your specialist freight needs.

To get started and get your freight quote, get in touch.

FAQs

What are the basic requirements to export goods from the UK?
To export goods from the UK, businesses need to register for an EORI number, classify their goods using the correct commodity codes, and declare their exports to customs. It’s also essential to understand and comply with the destination country’s import regulations.

How can I ensure compliance when exporting goods from the UK?
Ensuring compliance involves sticking to international trade laws, obtaining necessary export licenses for controlled goods, and providing accurate documentation like commercial invoices and export declarations.

What are the considerations for importing and exporting goods internationally?
Key considerations include understanding customs regulations, securing appropriate licenses and permits, and arranging for proper shipping and handling to maintain the integrity of the goods.

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