Auto Shipping Ocean Freight Shipping Service

What is Air Freight Forwarding?Air freight forwarding is the process of organizing and managing the transportation of goods via air carriers. This includes coordinating various aspects such as shipping arrangements, rate negotiations, shipment tracking, and documentation assistance. Freight forwarders act as intermediaries between shippers and carriers, handling the logistical complexities to ensure the smooth transfer of goods from one destination to another.The process typically begins with the consignor (shipper) contacting a freight forwarder to arrange the shipment. The forwarder liaises with airlines to secure space on a suitable flight. Once the goods are prepared, they are transported to the airport for loading onto the aircraft. During transit, the forwarder manages documentation and ensures compliance with regulations. Upon arrival at the destination airport, the consignee (receiver) takes possession of the goods after customs clearance.Air freight forwarding is particularly beneficial for transporting goods over long distances quickly, making it ideal for time-sensitive items such as perishables and electronics. However, it is generally more expensive than other modes of transport and has limitations in cargo capacity and environmental impact. The Air Freight Transportation Process1. Shipment Preparation - The shipper properly labels, marks, and packages the cargo according to IATA Cargo Handling Manual (ICHM) standards. - The freight forwarder receives the shipment from the shipper, verifies documentation, and ensures security requirements are met.2. Flight Planning - The freight forwarder plans the flight route and prepares a build-up plan for loading the cargo onto the aircraft. - The carrier receives the pre-plan details and the initial build-up plan.3. Cargo Build-up - The freight forwarder collects the freight, performs serviceability checks on the ULDs (unit load devices), and consolidates the cargo as per the build-up plan. - The final load is transferred to the carrier or ramp handling agent.4. Air Transport - The cargo is transported by air to the destination airport, with the freight forwarder managing documentation and regulatory compliance during transit. - High-value and time-sensitive goods, such as electronics and perishables, are well-suited for air freight due to the speed of delivery.5. Delivery and Customs Clearance - Upon arrival, the consignee takes possession of the goods after the necessary customs clearance procedures. - The freight forwarder assists with customs formalities and final delivery to the consignee.Key Considerations in Air Freight Transportation Sustainability and environmental impact: Air freight has a higher carbon footprint compared to other modes of transport, which has led to increased focus on sustainability measures, such as the use of more fuel-efficient aircraft and the optimization of cargo loads.Changing market dynamics: The air freight industry has faced challenges in recent years, including stagnating transport volumes since the 2008 financial crisis. Adapting to these changes requires air freight players, such as shippers, airlines, airports, and freight forwarders, to optimize their operations and explore new opportunities. Operational decision-making: Understanding the real-world air cargo operations, including processes at warehouses, cargo terminals, and airports, is crucial for making informed operational decisions and improving the efficiency of the air freight supply chain.Air Freight Brokers: A Crucial Link in the Supply ChainAir freight brokers play an indispensable role in modern logistics, offering a vital service that connects shippers with air carriers for the efficient and expedited transport of goods. With expertise in the complexities of air freight, these brokers ensure that shipments reach their destinations swiftly and securely.Advantages of Using Air Freight Brokers1. SpeedAir freight is the fastest mode of transportation, making it ideal for urgent and time-sensitive shipments. Brokers facilitate this speed by efficiently managing all aspects of the air freight process.2. ReliabilityDespite occasional weather-related delays, air freight remains one of the most reliable shipping methods. Brokers provide real-time updates and tracking, allowing shippers to monitor their cargo's progress.3. SecurityAirports are highly regulated and secure environments, reducing the risk of theft or damage. Minimal handling and tight security protocols ensure the safety of goods throughout the journey.4. FlexibilityAir freight brokers offer flexible shipping options, including charter services for urgent or exclusive shipments. This flexibility allows businesses to choose the most appropriate service level for their needs, from next-flight-out options to deferred shipments for less urgent cargo.Challenges and ConsiderationsWhile air freight offers many benefits, it is also one of the most expensive shipping options. Businesses must weigh the cost against the advantages, such as reduced inventory carrying costs and the potential for capturing market share by meeting tight delivery deadlines. Additionally, certain goods may be restricted from air transport due to safety regulations, which brokers can advise on.In ConclusionAir freight transportation is a complex and interconnected process that requires coordination among various stakeholders, adherence to regulations, and a focus on sustainability and operational efficiency. By understanding the key steps and considerations, businesses can leverage the speed and reliability of air freight to enhance their global supply chain strategies.

If you’re stepping into the world of e-commerce and considering Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), understanding the process from start to finish can help you navigate this essential part of your business more smoothly.For sellers sourcing products internationally, such as using a freight forwarder from China to USA, managing these steps effectively is even more critical.Here's a detailed, user-friendly breakdown of how the FBA delivery process works, covering each important step you’ll need to master.Preparing Product InformationBefore any product reaches Amazon’s fulfillment center, it all starts with setting up your inventory on Amazon’s platform.Uploading Product ListingsConverting to FBA SKUHead over to your Amazon Seller Central dashboard. Whether you're on the “Catalog” or “Inventory” page, you’ll need to add each product you plan to sell. Make sure all product details are accurate and complete—think clear titles, detailed descriptions, and high-quality images.Once your products are listed, it’s time to shift them to FBA. Select the product in your inventory, then choose the “Change to Fulfillment by Amazon” option to ensure they’re ready for FBA processing.Printing Product LabelsNow that your products are set up as FBA items, labeling becomes the next crucial task.Generating Product Labels: Navigate to the product details or use bulk actions if you have multiple items. Print the necessary product labels from Seller Central and make sure each product is clearly tagged. If your products are sourced from outside the U.S., especially from China, don’t forget to include the “Made in China” label as required by customs.Packing and Box LabelingPacking your items properly and adhering to Amazon’s labeling guidelines is essential to avoid delays or rejections at their fulfillment centers.Preparing Products for ShipmentCreating ShipmentsPrinting Box LabelsCarefully package your items as they would be shipped. Each product needs its label, so double-check that labels are affixed securely.Within Seller Central, select the “Send/Replenish Inventory” option. You’ll input the address of where you’re shipping from (either your location or a freight forwarder) and provide details about the type of packaging, such as dimensions, weight, and the number of boxes.Once your boxes are ready, generate the box labels in Seller Central. Just like the product labels, each box must also display a clear label, complete with any extra information required, such as “Made in China” if applicable.Confirming Shipping DetailsAttention to detail during this stage can save you from hiccups later.Verifying Shipment InformationTracking NumbersDouble-check all shipment details, from the number of items to the box weights and sizes. Choose your preferred shipping service and set an expected shipping date.After you ship through your selected carrier, make sure to collect the tracking numbers and input them into Seller Central. This step keeps your shipment visible and traceable, ensuring smoother delivery management.Shipping and Monitoring ProgressAt this point, your products are on their way to Amazon's warehouses, but your role isn’t over yet.Sending Off Your ShipmentTracking Your ShipmentHand off the carefully labeled boxes to your chosen carrier. Make sure that each box has the correct labels to prevent any issues upon arrival.Keep an eye on your shipment’s progress through Seller Central. Tracking your shipment helps you catch any potential delays and ensures everything arrives safely at the fulfillment center.Important Tips to Keep in MindFollow Amazon’s Latest Guidelines: Amazon's policies can change, so it's important to stay up-to-date with their current requirements. Always refer to the latest guides and updates available in Seller Central.Watch Video Tutorials: If you’re new to FBA, take advantage of Amazon’s video tutorials or comprehensive help documentation. They can guide you through the finer details and help you avoid common pitfalls.Choosing the Right Shipping Method: Factor in both cost and delivery time when selecting your carrier for the initial leg of the journey.Label Accuracy: Incorrect or unclear labels can result in delays, so make sure your labels are readable and properly attached.By following these steps and paying attention to the details, you’ll ensure a seamless journey for your products into Amazon's fulfillment network, paving the way for efficient customer deliveries and better business growth.

"Overseas warehouses are the product of cross-border e-commerce. More and more cross-border logistics have overseas warehouses. Overseas warehouses not only provide strong logistics support for cross-border sellers, but also provide certain conveniences for overseas buyers. Therefore, in the current logistics industry, the important role of overseas warehouses is becoming more and more prominent.1. There are Three Types of Overseas Warehouse Models, Namely Third-party Overseas Warehouses, Amazon FBA Warehouses and Self-Operated Overseas Warehouses:(1) Third-party Overseas WarehousesThe third-party overseas warehouse model refers to an overseas warehouse established and operated by a third-party enterprise (mostly logistics service providers), and can provide customs clearance, warehousing quality inspection, order acceptance, product sorting, delivery and other services for multiple cross-border e-commerce companies. Our overseas warehouses are The warehouse can also provide FBA return and exchange, transfer, re-printing or labeling, product testing, customs duty payment and other services. In other words, the third-party overseas warehouse model means that the entire cross-border logistics system is controlled by a third-party enterprise.(2) Amazon FBA warehouseFBA warehouse is a one-stop logistics service provided by Amazon, including warehousing, picking and packaging, delivery, collection, customer service and return processing. The logistics level of FBA warehouse is the benchmark in the overseas warehouse industry. The daily shipment volume, product variety and number of consumers of FBA warehouse far exceed those of third-party overseas warehouses. It is conceivable that FBA faces huge management difficulties. However, except for the high shipping cost and the trouble of return, FBA's logistics are almost impeccable for sellers.(3) Self-operated overseas warehousesAt present, the service level of third-party overseas warehouses is still relatively basic and cannot meet the personalized needs of customers. Many e-commerce companies choose to build their own overseas warehouses. In addition, FBA is not perfect, so many cross-border merchants choose to build and operate their own overseas warehouses, which only provide warehousing, distribution and other services for their own products. In other words, the entire cross-border logistics process is controlled by the cross-border merchants themselves.Although overseas warehouses can improve many problems in cross-border logistics, they are not perfect. Cross-border e-commerce logistics is in the choice.2. Overseas Warehouses also Face the Following Challenges:(1) High requirements for information technologyThe core problem of overseas warehouse operations is the high requirements for information technology. Merchants place goods in overseas warehouses. When overseas customers place orders, they need to issue operation instructions remotely, and at the same time To implement and monitor inventory, it requires extremely advanced information technology. Auto Shipping Overseas Warehouse has an experienced professional operation team and its information technology is well protected.(2) Requirements for the nature of goodsMerchants will store goods in batches in overseas warehouses in advance, which poses a certain inventory risk. This requires that the goods themselves are best-selling products with a high turnover rate, otherwise it may lead to warehouse explosion.(3) Difficulties in multi-cultural managementThe situation of overseas warehouses abroad is actually an "awkward" existence. For foreign countries, overseas warehouses should be regarded as a company with actual transactions, rather than a simple "warehouse", and they need to pay various taxes. In addition, the localization management of overseas warehouses also requires local operations and local employees. People who are consistent with local consumers in terms of language, culture, and beliefs need to participate in the marketing, management, and operation of the entire enterprise.3. Why do We Need Overseas Warehouses?For those cross-border e-commerce sellers who have not yet used overseas warehouses, there are some data from the platform that can tell us, such as the eBay platform. Overall, 40% of the transaction volume on the eBay platform already comes from overseas warehouses. This proportion may be higher on the Amazon platform, and may be lower on the AliExpress and Wish platforms. This is the trend. In the future, if many products want to go deep into the local area to do some work other than sales, to expand more business, or even to establish their own brands, they need to conduct local research.Nearly 80% of sellers are very satisfied with the performance of overseas warehouses in helping them improve their accounts. At the same time, 80% of sales of many large sellers come from overseas warehouses or third-party overseas warehouses. So from the perspective of the entire market environment, overseas warehouses have become a standard.The reason why overseas warehouses are chosen as the standard for their own logistics delivery is that they have been practiced and measured in terms of timeliness and cost.4. How to Choose an Overseas Warehouse?If your goods really enter the US market and start to do it, but the United States is so big, how to distribute your goods is a very interesting thing.If you are doing overseas warehouses or using overseas warehouses now, most people will choose Los Angeles as their first overseas warehouse. Why? The distance is short, on the west coast of the United States, so the transportation distance is also short, the time is fast, and the cost is low. The key is that there are many local Chinese people, and there may be many friends. Many large and small sellers who build warehouses or third parties will choose Los Angeles as their first warehouse. It is known that the distance from the west coast to the east coast of the United States is more than 4,500 kilometers. The land area of the United States is only slightly smaller than that of China, and more than 200 million people are distributed in such a large country.From the perspective of the entire population distribution of the United States, the population density in the western California and eastern regions, as well as the southern Florida region, and the Great Lakes, Michigan, is very high. As we all know, the timeliness and cost of logistics are proportional to the distance. The longer the distance, the longer the timeliness and the higher the cost. So if your warehouse is only in Los Angeles, and you want to send to the densely populated eastern regions such as New York, Chicago or Florida, how can you control your timeliness and delivery costs? Based on these situations, we built a warehouse in the east in 2015, and built another warehouse in southern Texas at the end of last year.Auto Shipping continues to set the standard for reliability and innovation in freight forwarding, ensuring that we not only meet but exceed the expectations of our valued customers.5. How to do a Good Job in Overseas Warehouses?First, multiple warehouses in one country, reducing costs and speeding up deliveryIn terms of cost, we used the data of outbound delivery in 2016 to make a calculation, that is, these orders are sent to the West Coast of the United States or distributed to the West Coast and East Coast, or distributed to three warehouses, that is, according to the division just now, they are sent in a combined place. In terms of cost, we can see that the dark orange line at the top is sent alone, the yellow is sent from the East Coast warehouse alone, and the green is sent from the most advantageous warehouses of the West Coast warehouse and the East Coast warehouse. It can be seen that the overall cost reduction can reach nearly 30%, that is, using the optimal delivery range of two warehouses to deliver orders can also reduce the proportion of costs. The three warehouses can further increase by two points.Second, develop large and heavy goods and expand blue ocean categoriesIn terms of categories, we can see that more and more cross-border e-commerce companies are doing large and heavy goods. The entire market competition is very fierce. In terms of the entire category, if you have a good source of goods, the pressure of competition on the platform will still be much smaller. For example, furniture such as sofas, tables and chairs, lockers, generators, lawn mowers, and the engraving machine we just saw, all products of 15 kg, 30 kg or even heavier weight and larger volume need to have more suitable delivery methods. For example, DHL in the United States, delivery services in the United Kingdom, UPS services, or Toll services in Australia can all support the delivery of large products. In other words, we can further expand the product category through the last-mile service of large products. Third, use value-added services to enhance local advantagesAs we all know, overseas warehouses also receive some push services, etc. In fact, using value-added services well can give your buyers and customers a better shopping experience. "