Logistics is an important part of any business. Simply defined as “the commercial activity of transporting goods to the customer”, logistics requires detailed organisation and planning. It might seem confusing at first, but don’t worry. We’re experts when it comes to export packing and freight – we’ll answer any questions you have.
What is Export Packing?
Exports are goods or services made in one country that are then shipped and sold in another country. Businesses of all sizes export goods, from global giants aiming to launch their latest product worldwide to startups dealing with their first international order.
When exporting their products, businesses will send bulk shipments to reduce costs and streamline the process. While this is a useful strategy to save you time and money, the risk of damage or loss is far greater when you export bulk goods.
That’s where export packing comes in. Export packing is carefully designed and constructed to keep your goods safe during transit. It is the outermost layer of packaging, often made using wooden crates or boxes.
Why is Export Packing Important?
While cardboard boxes are suitable for shipping small items, where bulk, high-value exports are concerned you need to ensure your goods arrive safely at their destination. Export packaging is built specifically for this purpose.
You can have export packing designed specifically to meet the needs of your export. There is a packaging solution tailored to any type of goods. This includes:
- Liquids
- Dangerous goods
- Machinery
- Defence and aerospace equipment
- And many more
John Pipe International have over 60 years of experience designing packaging solutions for your exports, ensuring your goods arrive intact and undamaged.
Types of Export Packing
The type of export packaging you require will depend on the goods themselves and their mode of transit. Wooden crates or cases can be used to protect your export, but you can take further precautions to keep your goods safe. We offer a range of case-making services to suit your needs and budget.
Aluminium foil is a great material to use when packing exports. It is impervious to moisture, helping to prevent damp or rot over long periods. Often, we foil-wrap goods before placing them into wooden crates ready for transport.
The Benefits of Foil-Wrapping
The main benefits of foil-wrapping your exports are safety and size reduction. Keeping your goods safe and secure is important as you don’t want them to arrive at their destination damaged. Foil-wrapping prevents moisture in the air from accessing your cargo, ensuring they arrive fresh and well-maintained. Once your products are wrapped, some air is extracted which lowers the ambient moisture levels and reduces the bulk. This means you could save money on further packaging and freight costs.
The Meaning of Freight
When talking about freight in logistics, we are referring to all goods transported in bulk. This can be done by train, truck, ship or aircraft. If you send large volumes of exports, you are dealing with freight. 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 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.
Air Freight
Air freight is the term used to describe the transportation of bulk 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 goods where they need to be.
It is definitely the best choice in an urgent situation. The downside of air freight is the cost. As the fastest and most reliable transport option, it is also the most expensive. Speak to our team to get a quote for your air freight project or find a solution to work with your budget.
Land Freight
Land freight is the term given to bulk goods transported by truck or train. Road freight uses vehicles of all sizes to transport your freight from country to country. It is commonly used domestically to complete the final leg of your exports journey.
Rail freight can also 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.
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.