Working with a freight forwarder international has been a crucial part of exporting products to various ports worldwide for many years. This allows exporters to have third-party support that can handle the consignments when they arrive at their destination. There are also freight forwarders that act as a customs brokerage firm as they assume responsibility for managing clearances on behalf of the shipper.
However, despite being a vital part of the global trading process, many exporters fail to build a healthy working relationship with their international freight forwarding provider. This usually led to price fluctuations, delays in procurement, and details getting overlooked. A solid connection with a forwarder provides several benefits, including lower freight rates that shippers might not secure on their own.
The most crucial part of working with freight forwarders is ensuring effective communication throughout the shipping process. You can communicate your priorities and possible future projects to help the forwarders make the process more efficient. In addition, you can also communicate any potential negative experiences with previous forwarders, as it can help build a healthy relationship with your new freight forwarder.
Communicating about the expectations, responsibilities, and projects will make the shipping process more manageable than usual. This will also allow both sides to collaborate on particular issues that might arise during transport.
· Pay On Time
One of the most significant issues faced by freight forwarders for years is late payments. This leads to them having problems paying their own vendors and creditors, which can further delay shipment. This is why exporters must pay on time, enabling them to have a good credit relationship with their freight forwarder. Payment overdue jeopardizes the entire shipping process and can lead to forwarders ending their relationship with the exporters.
· Avoid Cramming Shipments
Transporting shipments takes many things to be successful, which is why it is vital that you plan it in advance. Only giving yourself a few days to have the shipment out will lead to various complications. This includes difficulties in finding vessel space and shipment booking. This will also result in more expenditure due to delayed container use.
· Understand Export Compliance
Another crucial thing to do when exporting products is to ensure you properly understand the requirements to transport your product. For example, you must accurately classify what items you are shipping. You should also know the requirements when labeling the cargo and the paperwork required for your goods. This can help forwarders properly tender shipments and ensure they arrive at their destination without complications.
· Focus on Long-Term Goals
If you are looking to expand your business in the future, it is vital that you consider your freight forwarders as a part of your logistics team. You should not only see them as a third-party service that provides the lowest prices, as this can result in a challenging situation. Making them a part of your internal team will allow you to develop a healthy connection with them, helping you get competitive prices and faster transport speeds.
Conclusion
With freight forwarding expected to be more crucial in the succeeding years, exporters must be able to find a freight forwarder that they’ll be confident working with for a long time. Building a healthy relationship can be a game-changer for many exporters, enabling them to reap several benefits that make shipping cost-effective and faster than usual.
And if you are looking for the best freight forwarder in the Philippines for all your transport needs, then Excelsior Philippines is for you. We have been in the industry for more than two decades, providing our clients with peace of mind that their shipments will arrive at their destination safely. To learn about our services, contact us by visiting www.excelsior.ph/contact-us or calling (+632) 8525-9775.
For decades, exporting products has been vital to the Philippine economy, allowing entrepreneurs to increase profits through global trading. Despite its downward trend recently, exports still account for more than $5 billion of the nation’s GDP. The continuous expansion of digital trading can provide new opportunities for Filipino business owners to export their products to various countries, potentially increasing export rates moving forward.
And despite being an essential part of the economy, numerous exporters face unique issues that can hinder their operations in the long run. For starters, not partnering with an international freight forwarding company can significantly risk the packages getting lost or damaged while in transit. But what remains one of the top issues exporters face on a day-to-day basis is foreign exchange, which constantly fluctuates for several reasons.
Understanding Currency Fluctuations
International forwarding invoices are often complex, with many factors contributing to freight rates around the globe. And one of the significant ones is currency exchange, which mainly refers to how much of each currency is needed when people exchange them. Some factors that lead to currency fluctuations are economic conditions, market sentiment, and political situations.
Currency exchange rates have always been a massive part of calculating freight costs, and even a tiny change in the rates will significantly affect shipping prices. Besides freight prices, currency fluctuation can negatively impact a company’s potential revenue and profit margins. This can decrease an enterprise’s competitiveness in the market, especially if most of its competitors come from countries with stronger currencies.
Mitigating Currency Exchange Risks
The risks of currency fluctuations when it comes to shipping prices are not a new thing. Many organizations have already implemented different techniques that allow them to reduce the impact of fluctuating currency rates when shipping their products.
1. Use Forward Contracts
One of the most straightforward solutions to decrease the complexities of shipping costs is to use forward contracts. This means that the merchant and buyer will agree to a fixed exchange rate that they can use for future transactions. This will allow both parties to know exactly how much the payment would be without worrying about changes in the currency rate.
2. Understand the Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF)
The concept of CAF is mainly used by freight forwarders, enabling them to mitigate the risk of currency fluctuations, especially for long-term contracts. Here, the shipper will have a flat percentage surcharge on the invoices sent to their clients, and this usually is based on the currency where the freight will depart and arrive. Exporters must know this concept to help them plan out their finances in the long run.
3. Currency Options
Apart from forward contracts, it will also help if companies consider currency options strategies when exporting their products. Many enterprises have used this risk management technique to protect themselves against currency fluctuations.
Like forward contracts, this hedging strategy gives businesses the right to export at a fixed price in the future. But the main difference is that the parties are not forced to finish the transaction when the deadline arrives. This is beneficial if the exporter believes they will get a more favorable currency rate, allowing them to mitigate the risks of financial losses.
Conclusion
With digital platforms opening up new opportunities for merchants to sell their products to international customers, exports are expected to continue to rise in the coming years. And so, firms must know the risks they might encounter when exporting products, such as the ever-changing foreign exchange rate. By understanding this, they can implement the proper currency fluctuation management solution that will protect them from financial losses in the long run.
Excelsior Philippines, the country’s top freight forwarding and customs brokerage company, has been in the industry for more than two decades, providing our clients with peace of mind that their shipments will arrive at their destination safely. We can also help you negotiate freight charges for the best shipment value. To learn about our services, contact us now by clicking here or calling (+632) 8525-9775.
Global trading has significantly grown in the past decade as more and more businesses and individuals rely on imports and exports to make money. Experts forecast that international trade will hit more than $32 trillion in 2022 as countless products from different industries are shipped across borders daily.
And along with the positive development in global commerce is also the rise of the international forwarding industry. Numerous enterprises are now partnering with international freight forwarding companies to effortlessly transports their shipments to their destination. In addition, a freight forwarder can help companies tackle various factors that affect the shipping process, including the constant currency exchange rate fluctuation.
What is Currency Exchange?
In its simplest form, the currency exchange rate refers to how much each currency is needed to be exchanged with one another. The US Dollars has always been the standard for currency exchange rates and holds the most daily shares with more than 88%. Currency rates are always considered floating as various factors affect them daily, including economic activity, GDP, and the supply and demand for different products.
The continuous fluctuation of currency rates across the globe can result in shipping surcharges for companies. This makes freight forwarding invoices complicated for organizations to handle. Currency exchange rates affect various factors in how freight costs are calculated, and companies must know how to manage them to avoid massive financial losses in the long run.
Impact on Freight Forwarding Costs
The primary currency used for freight costs is US dollars, and its value against other currencies can affect the overall shipping prices. Various things contribute to the total freight costs, and currency rates significantly affect whether the amount will increase or decrease.
Varying Currency Exchange Rate
The exchange rate in every nation is different, which can significantly impact freight costs. The amount needed to transport goods to one country differs considerably in other nations. Exports to a nation with a weaker currency than the US dollar are a little more expensive. This means that you need to adjust your budget.
Tariffs
For decades, imports have been subject to taxes even before arriving at the destination port. Authorities do this to generate income and protect local producers, as imported items must be sold at a higher price. A specific percentage of the total value of the shipment usually calculates the tax to be paid. Stronger currency rates between the two nations decrease the overall cost of the freight and offset any increase in the tariff rate.
Transaction Fees
Apart from tariffs, many exporters also pay different transaction fees based on how the shipment is delivered. The amount may fluctuate based on the currency value of where the importer or exporter is paying. Financial institutions implement foreign currency conversion and transaction fees, which a shift in the exchange rate can significantly impact.
Conclusion
As global trade continues to expand, it is vital that businesses that rely on shipping understand the various factors that affect forwarding costs. One of which is the exchange rate, which significantly affects the overall shipping expenditures. Currency exchange rates adjust daily, and it can be tedious for importers and exporters to handle them. But partnering with a reputable logistics company can help them efficiently plan the needed amount for every freight.
Excelsior Philippines, the country’s top freight forwarding and customs brokerage company, has been in the industry for more than two decades, providing our clients with peace of mind that their shipments will arrive at their destination safely. We can also help you negotiate freight charges for the best shipment value. To learn about our services, contact us now by clicking here or calling (+632) 8525-9775.
The COVID-19 pandemic has crippled various industries worldwide. This led to many companies scrambling to keep their business afloat amid uncertain times. Contactless transactions have become the norm, and the adoption of modern solutions has significantly increased as organizations pivot to remote work and digital commerce.
It’s been more than two years since the first wave of the pandemic hit the globe, and freight forwarder international firms have slowly recovered since then. But a recent COVID-19 outbreak in China has brought new uncertainties in the global supply chain, with the sudden increase in cases causing worker shortages in ports and important factories across the country.
The Latest COVID-19 Outbreak in China
After easing their harsh zero-COVID policies amid the wide protests in big cities, China has faced what many experts consider the worst COVID-19 wave recorded. Authorities in the country estimated that almost 250 million individuals contracted the virus during the first 20 days of December 2022, making it the fastest rise of COVID patients in the nation since 2020.
This unprecedented situation has led to businesses needing to close down again, as most of the workforce is infected or exposed to an infected individual. Reports also said that medical establishments are overwhelmed by the situation, most of which are struggling to cope with the sudden spike in COVID cases right after the government became lenient with their COVID prevention policies.
Effects on the Global Supply Chain
As home to some of the biggest ports around the world, there is no wonder that the latest COVID surge in China significantly affected the world’s supply chain. Some crucial ports like Shanghai and Shenzhen have recorded a notable increase in shipment cancellations rate, with reports expecting it to go up to 31%. This came as factories found it hard to operate with limited people, especially with many reporting that more than half of workers were infected with the virus.
The latest COVID surge in China also further decreased the demand, which was already down before the fiasco, for goods and raw materials coming from the country. This led to domestic and international factories experiencing delays in procuring products and consumers seeing a shortage in supply for some necessities.
The lack of workers and reduced demand has also led to shipping companies decreasing the number of cargo ships sailing. The delays in the acquisition of freights have significantly contributed to the growth of blank sailings, referring to shipping firms skipping one port or altogether canceling their ship’s voyage. This causes delays in the delivery not only of goods but also consumer parcels in many parts of the globe.
Conclusion
As economies continue to bounce back from the crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago, new disruptions brought fresh challenges to the global supply chain. China’s latest COVID surge led to factories operating at limited capacity and ports experiencing bottlenecks. Countless Chinese manufacturers could not complete orders in time, and freight rates plummeted along with it.
The fear of another COVID-19 outbreak is already expected, especially with the country celebrating the Lunar New Year in late January 2023. But reports show that port congestion and freight procurement have improved in recent weeks, with pickup charges increasing by almost 10%. This can be a good sign that the supply chain will gradually go back to normal, despite the worries of another COVID surge in China.
Looking for a Reliable Freight Forwarder in the Philippines?
The whole shipping fiasco can be daunting for Filipino importers and exporters, but partnering with a reliable freight forwarding company can help you navigate the possible hurdles you’ll encounter. Excelsior Philippines has been in the industry for more than two decades, providing our clients with peace of mind that their shipments will arrive at their destination safely. To learn about our services, contact us now by clicking here or calling (+632) 8525-9775.
With the new year well underway, several enterprises are trying to do everything they can to keep up with the latest trends in their respective sectors. This includes every international freight forwarding company that will leverage new technologies to keep up with the ever-changing demands on how goods will be transported around the globe.
This year will bring unique challenges to the international freight forwarding industry. From the new COVID-19 outbreak in China, several geopolitical issues, and the continuous rise in prices, every freight forwarder international firm will need to adapt to changes to survive. To get ahead of the curve, learning about the possible trends in the industry can help freight forwarders become more flexible with their operations.
Freight Forwarders to be More Prepared
There were many issues in 2022 that challenged the freight forwarding industry, such as the Russian-Ukrainian war, the Suez Canal obstruction, and the continual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. These events resulted in a massive disruption in the global supply chain and firms suffering billions in losses. This year, international freight forwarders are expected to be readier when facing unexpected events disrupting the supply chain.
Data collection and analysis have been more efficient in 2022, and freight forwarders are using this technology to make accurate predictions of what will happen in the next year. This will allow them to promote resiliency in their operations and be more agile, flexible, and visible in the market despite adverse situations.
Mergers and Acquisitions will Continue
The pandemic has brought growth and revenue to the transportation and logistics industry. This enticed various private equity firms looking to put their money into fast-growing sectors. And although mergers and acquisitions (M&A) slowed down recently, experts project that they will continue in 2023.
The war in Ukraine, new COVID variants, equipment shortages, and supply chain disruptions resulted in some of the major players in the industry trying to acquire more businesses to leverage the supply chain. M&A will allow them to expand their services and potentially optimize the workforce.
Sustainability will be a Key Goal for Forwarders
A Sustainable Freight Buyers Alliance report said that freight transport is responsible for 8% of the world’s CO2 emissions. And this is projected to increase to 42% by 2050. To prevent this, freight forwarders can opt for more sustainable products and practices to help the logistics industry become more environmentally friendly.
By asking for and buying products that are good for the environment, freight forwarders and shipping lines can help move the dial and reduce emissions. They can also promote green practices and technologies that can make the supply chain more efficient, effectively boosting sustainability in the sector.
International Freight Forwarders Will Go Digital
The logistics industry, like other fields, has also undergone a digital transformation in recent years. And in 2023, it is expected that more forwarders will use modern solutions to transport goods and reduce paperwork in the freight forwarding process.
Freight forwarders can also measure supply and demand more accurately, improve efficiency, and automate simple tasks by transforming their operations. This will also allow their employees to work remotely, which is still seen as the norm this year.
Conclusion
By keeping up with these trends, freight forwarders can stay competitive in the market despite various disruptions. This can also be an excellent opportunity for further growth and advancements in the field, allowing them to remain engaged in improving their services for their customers.
If you are looking for the best freight forwarding company in the Philippines, then Excelsior is for you. With almost 20 years in the industry, you can guarantee that Excelsior has everything you need regarding logistics. Our mission is to ensure that your shipment will arrive at its destination safely.
If you have inquiries, contact us at (+632) 8525-9775 or email us at wecare@excelsior.ph. You can also visit our website for more information about our services.
Import and export of goods via trade is the heart of every economy in the world, which is why international freight forwarding organizations are some of the most importance firms around. International freight forwarders closely work with sellers and buyers in different countries to make sure that goods get where they need to go.
International freight forwarding companies act like the middlemen of the trade, helping both sides ensure the success of shipping. They strictly follow freight forwarder international standards which helps guarantee that the goods will be delivered on time. So, if you are a merchant or consumer that wonders how freight forwarders work, here is a step-by-step guide to help you out.
Stage One – Export Haulage
Export haulage is the process when an exporter moves their cargo to the freight forwarder’s warehouse. The forwarder use trucks or trains are used to move the cargo and might take a few hours to a couple of weeks depending on the location and other external factors.
Stage Two – Checkpoint
Checkpoint is the process of checking goods for damages or irregularities. When the export haulage stage is over, the freight forwarders who are getting the goods will check the shipment to make sure that the goods aren’t damaged in transit.
Stage Three – Export Customs Clearance
Every cargo requires clearance from the country of origin before being transported to another nation. Custom brokers do this by submitting details and supporting documents about the cargo. If a freight forwarding company does not offer this service, it is required to find a third-party customs broker service to help with the process.
Stage Four – Import Customs Clearance
The country where the shipment is going has to check the import customs documents once the shipment gets there. The freights forwarder or the customs broker chosen by the shipper can get this done before the cargo arrives as doing so can expedite the next steps of the shipment.
Stage Five – Destination Arrival and Handling
This is the stage where the cargo finally arrives and is taken care of by the freight forwarding company. Once the cargo arrives, international freight forwarders will receive documentation about the shipment from the office at origin. Here, the shipment is also transported to the forwarder’s warehouse before getting delivered or picked up by the buyer.
Stage Six – Import Haulage
This operation moves the merchandise from the warehouse to the intended receiver’s final location. Freight forwarders usually help deliver the merchandise to the shipping address. However, the consignee can also choose to pick up the shipment directly from the warehouse should they wish to.
How do Freight Forwarders Work?
Many people would think that freight forwarders have planes or ships they use to transport cargo vessels. However, this is not always the case. Instead, these companies simplify the process for both importer and buyer as they act like the main point of contact for these people throughout the shipment process.
The freight forwarder takes care of all the details of the shipment from start to finish. This includes tracking the arrival of the cargo ship and getting in touch with trucking, airline, or shipping companies to make sure the shipment is picked up and delivered on time. The freight forwarding partner handles all of these details and tells clients what they need to know.
Deliver Your Goods Using an Experienced Freight Forwarder
Excelsior is an international freight forwarder with 20 years in the industry. Our company is present in across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and will make sure that your cargo is being transported at the right time safely whether by land, air, or sea. If you want to have your goods delivered by professionals, you can contact us at (+632) 8525-9775 or visit our website at https://excelsior.ph.
Every international freight forwarding company is responsible for these emissions, and sustainable transport is the biggest challenge for the shipping industry. Shipping is crucial for economic growth, helping nations move essential products to cater to the demand. Every logistics company in the Philippines, freight forwarding enterprise, and shipping company should do their best to make shipping sustainable.
Here are some reasons why sustainability in the shipping industry is essential.
Why is Sustainability Important in International Freight Forwarding?
Online e-commerce has grown exponentially since the pandemic, and the global shipping industry is needed now more than ever. Joining the fight against climate change is a way for the worldwide shipping industry to thrive more. Shipping companies choosing to continue their operations via sustainable means reduce environmental threats as they step towards green and sustainable shipping.
Sustainability is also the current trend when it comes to different transport industries. Automobile manufacturers have constantly been developing electric cars for the longest time. The aviation sector is also doing its part to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to the point where flights today generate 50% fewer emissions than flights in the 1990s.
A sustainable shipping industry does not only reduce global carbon dioxide emissions. It also prevents oceans from having oil spills which can harm various organisms living in different water bodies and limit people’s access to clean water.
How Can the Global Shipping Industry be More Sustainable?
Compliance with environmental regulations is one of the best ways to have a sustainable shipping industry in a country. Nations and businesses in the maritime world have agreed to comply with the global conservation goals of the following three decades set by the International Maritime Organization and the Sustainable Shipping Initiative.
Creating a sustainable work environment can also promote sustainability in the sector. Making eco-friendly ports, switching to alternative fuels, and investing in green technologies can go a long way in fighting the rising global greenhouse emissions. Having a greener shipping environment also benefits the safety and trust of workers within the industry, enabling them to build more vital trust and transparency in the workplace.
In addition, increasing vessel efficiency can also be a game changer for many international forwarding firms. They can do this by using cleaner ballast water, decreasing marine litter, using alternative fuel sources, and enhancing the ship recycling process. And when vessel efficiency is optimized, less carbon footprint is produced.
Shipping Companies that Go Green
As economies rebuild after the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the shipping industry will continue to be an essential part of society. But various traditional practices in the sector have led to the rise of GHG emissions over the years, resulting in the need to adopt sustainable methods to protect the environment and workers in the industry.
If you need a sustainable international freight forwarding company with exceptional service, Excelsior Worldwide Freight Logistics has been one of the leading shipping companies in the Philippines for almost 20 years. We provide freight services for land, sea, and air. Excelsior has everything you need regarding logistics, and our mission is to ensure that your shipment will arrive at its destination safely.
If you want to know more, call us at (+632) 8525-9775, email us at wecare@excelsior.ph, or message us through our contact page.
The Philippines is a strategic trading location as it shares maritime borders with many different countries, including China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, and Palau. Its top import partners aren’t limited to its neighbors as it also imports goods from Korea and the United States. Because the Philippines continues to comply with ASEAN-wide economic integration, the opportunities for both importers and exporters will only continue to grow.
Importers and exporters will need to rely on experts knowledgeable on the latest updates in the shipping scene. For example, if any crises affect trade routes, customs brokers will be critical to ensure that products can still be imported and exported promptly.
Written below are the top things to keep in mind when importing products. Knowing how to import to the Philippines will ensure that businesses will have smooth customs clearances.
How can New Importers Start?
New importers will need first to submit the following relevant documents, as listed by the Bureau of Customs, to be accredited:
Duly notarized accomplished Application Form and signed by the owner, for Sole Proprietorship, Responsible Officer, for Corporations, the Chairman, for Cooperatives, or authorized partner, for Partnerships
Bureau of Customs Official Receipt or BCOR showing proof of payment of the Php1,000.00 processing fee
Corporate Secretary Certificate for Corporations / Affidavit for Sole Proprietorship / Partnership Resolution for Partnerships / BOD Resolution for Cooperatives designating its authorized signatories in the import entries
Two (2) valid government-issued IDs of Applicant, President, and Responsible Officers
Passport
Driver’s License
SSS ID
UMID Card
For aliens, Alien Certificate of Registration and Alien Employment Permit
Applicant’s NBI Clearance, issued within three (3) months preceding the application
Photocopy of either DTI Registration or SEC Registration / Articles of Partnership and Latest General Information Sheet or Cooperative Development Authority Registration and latest Cooperative Annual Progress Report
Applicant’s, President’s, and Responsible Officers’ Personal Profile
Proof of Lawful Occupancy of Warehoouse and Office Address
Updated Lease Contract under the Corporation or Proprietor’s name
Affidavit of Consent from the owner and the Title of the Property under their name
In case of Sublease, certification from the Lessor or Owner allowing the sharing of office
Printed Client Profile Registration System or CPRS of the Company and updated notification of “STORED” status
BIR Form 2303 or Certificate of Registration
If applicable, Income Tax Return or ITR for the past three (3) years duly received by the BIR
Valid Mayor’s Permit certified by the Bureau of Permits and Licensing Office
Proof of Financial capacity to import
Bank Certificate or other financial certification
The Top 1,000 Taxpayers and those under SGL Companies are exempt
If applicable, endorsement from the District Collector
Detailed sketch map ofthe office and warehouse address
Company Profile with geotagged pictures of the office with proper and permanent signage and pictures of warehouse or storage area
After getting accredited, businesses can start importing products to the Philippines.
Documents Required when Importing Products
Businesses importing products must provide the following required import documents, as shown here, once their goods arrive:
Duly endorsed Airway Bill or Bill of Lading, or certification by the carrier or agent of the vessel or aircraft,
Commercial Invoice or any other verifiable commercial document proving payment if there is no sale for export
Packing list
Duly notarized Supplemental Declaration on Valuation or SDV
Certain documents as may be required by certain rules and regulations, including:
Import Permit or Clearance
Authority to Release Imported Goods or ATRIG
Proof of Origin for Free Trade Agreements or FTAs
Copy of an Advance Ruling, if the ruling was used in the goods declaration
Load Port Survey Reports or Discharge Port Survey Reports for bulk or break-bulk importations
Document evidencing exemption from duties and taxes
Other relevant documents like a Tax Credit Certificate or TCC or Tax Debit Memo or TDM
When importing animals, plants, food, medicine, or chemicals, importers must also obtain a Certificate of Product Registration from the Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration.
Knowing how to import to the Philippines involves plenty of technical know-how that reliable licensed customs brokers should know. Businesses must look for a reliable customs broker in the Philippines to ensure that their shipments will arrive on time without difficulty.
The COVID-19 crisis and the Ukraine War heavily disrupted various supply lines worldwide. Different countries already had different laws and regulations in place that usually changed frequently, and the pandemic brought with it more regulations that customs brokers needed to navigate through. The war in Ukraine made things worse thanks to sanctions and the closure of air, sea, and land routes, among others, that disrupted shipping costs and the overall shipping process.
Even if crises are occurring anywhere in the world, businesses still need to import and export products to continue their operations, and it’s the customs broker’s job to ensure that the shipments get to their target destinations.
Customs brokers are vital parts of a supply line, and the following are some of the reasons why they’re critical in crises:
They are Knowledgeable about the Changes in Shipping
The COVID-19 pandemic changed freight requirements and regulations in line with the closing of borders and other changes in line with the pandemic. Because of this, customs brokers had to keep up with the changing rules and ensure that the shipments were delivered and received in compliance with regulations.
The war in Ukraine further negatively affected shipping, on top of the already difficult situation with the ongoing pandemic. Not only did fuel costs increase, but fast and efficient shipping corridors were also no longer safe for shipping, so international freight forwarding companies had to use other routes through other countries to ship cargo. New routes mean new regulations to keep in mind and a few new challenges.
Customs brokers must stay on top of changing regulations and new challenges as they adapt to new language barriers and document processing procedures to ensure that cargo and freight get to their target destinations. They can offer different transport options to ensure the timely arrival of shipments. Without customs brokers, freight forwarding companies and shipping lines will have difficulty with their shipments.
They can Handle the Documentation Process
The documentation process has always been a necessary pain to deal with for shipments. Many business owners had already had a stressful experience dealing with the required documentation before the pandemic started, and the war in Ukraine practically redrew route maps. The process is even more stressful now because previously established processes have changed.
Businesses can rely on reliable customs brokerage services to handle documentation. A licensed and reliable customs broker is versatile and can help open new opportunities because they know how to handle the documentation process. This also guarantees that shipments will arrive on time and businesses won’t miss deadlines.
Customs brokers already kept costs down before the pandemic started, and they still do so to this day. Without customs brokers, businesses will have difficulty with their imports and exports. Customs brokers can also more readily adapt to the changes in the documentation process because they know all the necessary documents and the most efficient ways to prepare them.
Conclusion
Customs brokers are critical to keeping businesses from wasting money with missed deadlines to other costs resulting from the difficulties that sprung up from different crises. The world still hasn’t recovered from COVID-19, and the ongoing war in Ukraine made logistics worse as different shipments continue to sit in ports for weeks or months, so reliable customs brokers and freight forwarders, by extension, are necessary to keep the supply line up and running.
Without customs brokers, businesses will have difficulty importing and exporting products. Let Excelsior Worldwide Freight Logistics help you handle the following customs services on your behalf:
Prepare important shipping documents
Filing & processing customs entry
Expedite delivery of imported cargo to clients
Excelsior Worldwide Freight Logistics conducts free orientation for anyone willing to learn about import and export. It is our advocacy to share our knowledge & experience of more than 17 years in the business. Visit our website today at www.excelsior.ph to learn more about our service.
After multiple countries restarted their economies after years of being under lockdown, the maritime industry saw an increase in demand as businesses wished to press on and leave behind the turbulent times of the pandemic. This led to increased fuel costs that negatively affected the shipping industry as high fuel costs resulted in high shipping rates.
Shipping and freight forwarding companies had to raise shipping rates in response to high fuel prices as early as the last quarter of 2021. Even though shipping costs rose after economies reopened, this was still a sign that international trade was starting to return to normal. Still, another crisis popped up in the early months of 2022 that hit international freight.
On February 24, 2022, under the guise of a special military operation, Russia essentially invaded Ukraine. Russia was then struck with different sanctions that affected a lot, including Russian oil getting cut off from the market and further driving both oil and gas prices up. The current war did not only affect oil and fuel prices as international freight took a bigger hit thanks to the sanctions, cancelled flights, extended flights, and inflation.
In addition to the war in Ukraine, the current tensions in Taiwan can also affect the current state of global shipping as China’s People’s Liberation Army continues its military drills that simulate a blockade on Taiwan. This is after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan.
Ukraine War and Chinese Military Drills of Taiwan
War in Ukraine
Air transport is by far the most affected by the Russia-Ukraine War as multiple airlines reduced or stopped their operations between Europe and Asia. Those that continued their operations had to use extended air routes as both Ukrainian and Russian airspaces are currently closed. Thanks to extended air routes, airlines had to use more fuel, contributing to both higher fuel prices and skyrocketing prices of goods.
A screengrab of the current state of air traffic in Ukraine. Note the lone aircraft in the middle of the Black Sea. Due to sanctions, all airlines either avoid or skirt the Black Sea to avoid going into Russian airspace. Any aircraft in the middle of the Black Sea are likely military aircraft. Photo from live flight tracker Flightradar24.A screengrab of a longer flight path taken by a BELAVIA Boeing 737-8K5flying from Antalya to Minsk. Photo from live flight tracker Flightradar24.
Land freight that relies on routes going through Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine to go to and fro the European Union, China, and South Asia no longer has any safe overland routes. This means that international freight forwarding companies will need to use different routes through the UAE, Serbia, Turkey, or Romania. Customs brokers will also need to adapt to the different language barriers and document processing procedures.
The war on Ukraine also affected maritime routes in both the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, as the routes are no longer safe. Several merchant ships have been attacked off the coast of Ukraine, making it certain that sea freight will be unreliable until the war ends. Although Russia and Ukraine recently signed a deal to allow grain shipments to move through the Black Sea to mitigate the risks of worldwide famine. Whether this means that the sea lanes will be safe for now is unknown, but Shephard Media noted that the tentative nature of the grain deal might not significantly shift the current security situation in the Black Sea, so it might not still be safe to set sail.
Like how land freight will need to rely on other routes, sea freight will also need alternative routes, making air routes a more viable option for shippers and freight forwarders.
Military Drills Around Taiwan
The blockade on Taiwan also further limited the remaining available air routes as China warned airlines to avoid flying in areas around Taiwan where the military exercises are currently held. China has also designated certain six areas of airspace as danger zones that all civilian aircraft must avoid.
Graphic representation of the areas where the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) plan to hold military drills. Photo provided by the People’s Liberation Army.
While airlines have cancelled flights to Taipei and have rerouted other flights to avoid the airspace in the past few days, air traffic has just returned to normal, at least on August 8, 2022.
Even if air traffic has returned to normal, some disruptions are still expected as military drills continue around Taiwan. The extended military drills can herald a “new normal” for freight and shipping off Taiwan.
The ClarkSea Index is a barometer of shipping fortunes, and during the War in Ukraine, it’s seen that the earnings of the shipping industry improved as the cost of shipping increased. The chart focuses only on tankers, bulkers, containerships, and gas carriers, but it’s safe to say that even the cost of shipping through the air has also increased.
The flight restrictions in Ukraine and Russian airspace effectively removed about 10 million miles of airspace and international freight routes utilized by 20% of the world’s air cargo. This resulted in longer flights and lower air capacity as carriers took alternate routes or canceled flights altogether.
If the military drills off Taiwan continue, there is a chance that the supply chain will further be negatively affected by increasing the cost of goods and causing certain shortages.
Skyrocketing prices
As shipping and freight forwarding routes were negatively affected by flight restrictions and the redrawing of route maps, the cost of transporting goods also increased as freight forwarders, and shippers had to use different routes and use other means to adapt. Longer and alternative routes will jack up fuel costs and then jack up the cost of the goods themselves.
The cost of fuel and energy reliant on fossil fuels already rose due to the higher oil prices, and the cost of other goods will only continue to skyrocket as transportation routes remain restricted. Some food prices, for one, have already eased but still remain high, but things can change if more routes end up getting closed off.
When the war in Ukraine started, there was speculation that electronic vendors might raise prices while using Ukraine as an excuse. PC Gamers didn’t exactly see this change in prices as both GPU prices and cryptocurrency crashed, and other PC parts didn’t see any price increase, at least not significant enough to warrant attention if there was any. However, because Taiwan is export-focused and its main products include electronics, there is arguably a bigger chance of prices increasing if exports are disrupted. Taiwan’s other products include the following:
electronics
information
communication and audio-video products
base metals
plastics & rubber
machinery
Taiwan’s chip manufacturing industry will also be affected as China halts its sand exports to Taiwan. The continuation of military exercises and the rerouting of sea and air freight to the country, halts in sand exports to Taiwan, and possible complications if the situation worsens can negatively affect the prices of electronics and PC parts.
For simplicity’s sake, it’s safe to assume that prices for multiple products will only skyrocket when multiple conflicts are happening that can disrupt the supply chain. As long as the war in Ukraine continues and if the situation in Taiwan worsens, there will be shortages, and price increases and the world will need reliable freight forwarders and customs brokers to keep the supply chain up and running.
Conclusion
Everyone involved in the shipping and freight industry will need to adapt to ensure that they can continue their operations amid different crises and supply chain disruptions. Shippers can only adapt to the situation and look for other transportation routes, hire competent customs brokers to ensure that shipments reach their intended destinations through the new routes, and futureproof their operations.
Excelsior Worldwide Freight Logistics constantly endeavors to be a company of enduring greatness by providing only time-conscious, client-oriented, and exceptional delivery service. We also conduct free orientation for anyone who is willing to learn. It is our advocacy to share our knowledge & experience worth more than a decade in the business. Visit our website today at www.excelsior.ph to learn more about us and our service.
