Showing posts with label International shipping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label International shipping. Show all posts

Thursday, July 19, 2018

How Important Is Customer Service When Choosing An International Courier Company?

There are lots of different international courier companies all over the world. With the increasing need of the customers, the number of international courier companies has also increased drastically. But the only difference amongst all of these is the quality of services. Not all the international courier companies are the same and not all of them provide the same quality of services to the users. Imagine sending a courier to your loved one and it getting delayed or lost in the way. This is what some of the international shipping companies do to the customers. One of the biggest advantages a good international courier company like DTDC USA has is an excellent customer care service.
International Courier Companies
International Courier Companies
Advantages

Good customer service has the following benefits:

•Helps customers track their couriers
The first advantage of a good customer care service is that the customers can easily find out the status of their couriers without making the process overly complicated. The couriers might need to pass through a lot of places in the case of international shipping, and it is always good to know when your courier might reach the required destination.

•Can be helpful in getting all the details about the courier services in a different country
Customer service is also a convenient way for the customers to know about the different courier services that might be available for them in the different companies. This is much better and much more comfortable than going to a courier company office that might take you a lot of time.

•Courier Company Such as DTDC USA Can Be Trusted
Another advantage or conclusion that comes out if a courier company has a good customer care service is that the company can be trusted. If the courier company has a customer care service that is able to handle all your queries and complaints, they have a transparent business model that is trustworthy for all your goods.

How vital is Customer Care Service in a Courier Company?
As said above, customer service plays a crucial role in the shipping of products. The customers need to be informed about their products and their locations continuously, and most of the International courier companies do this effectively. People usually want to migrate to only the courier company that provides them with the best services and has all an active customer care should give them such as continuous information about their couriers. As a customer, you should choose a courier company with good customer care such as DTDC USA since it’s your right to know everything about your products. Additionally, a courier company with good customer care is trustworthy since this proves that their services are transparent.

Monday, July 16, 2018

How Can Courier Companies Become More Eco-Friendly?

There is a lot for people to learn from environmental damage that has been going on from one generation to the next. We have seen a lot of harm, and many people are tired of wearing Mother Nature out every day. That is why people from across the world are pushing towards going green. We can see the impact at homes, offices, schools, hospitals, and in companies. Courier companies cannot escape the trend, and they do not try to escape. That is why they are contributing to making themselves more eco-friendly just like DTDC USA.

International Shipping Prices
International Shipping Prices

The Changes That Are Needed

Use of eco-friendly transportation

Many couriers are including eco-friendly means of transportation such as bicycles for short distance deliveries. Typically, bicycles do not emit anything making them an excellent choice.
Other than bicycles, many courier companies are using smart cars for their international shipping processes. The introduction of Smart cars has been a genius invention that has revolutionized the transport system of the world. It is the perfect way of rehabilitating the world from the pollutions that we see every day.

There are also companies that deliver packages using drones. This option is still relatively new, and most companies are yet to jump on board.

Eliminating paperwork 

Paperwork is a great contributor to the destruction of the environment. That is why organizations are fighting and urging companies to reduce paperwork. Now, any international courier company that is not striving to eliminate paperwork will be on the losing end. All the billing activities and every form that is needed are handled by sending electronic documents.

Use of eco-friendly packaging

What companies use for packaging is very important and greatly determine how well they are responsible. The packaging material that DTDC USA uses is recyclable material. This will ensure that there are no waste materials and the recipient of the package can find great use of the material.
Implementing carbon offsetting activities

In as much as the courier company is striving to be eco-friendly, there are still chances that some emissions will damage the earth. Therefore, carbon offsetting will be the next move. Here, the company matches the negative consequences of their business to the environment with a positive one. For example, they can embark on forestation processes.

All these are some of the ways courier companies can be more eco-friendly. Being an eco-friendly company, you can trust DTDC USA for all your shipping needs. We offer the best international shipping prices that are attractive and competitive. Our customers get the best. 

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

What Is Important For a Hassle-Free Courier Service?

There is one thing that clients love about DTDC Singapore; it is their seamless service delivery marked with excellence and perfection. You can never be disadvantaged or have reasons to complain whenever you use DTDC Singapore for your international shipping needs. They always go an extra mile to ensure that you have a hassle-free courier service. Some principles and rules guide the company to ensure their performance is incomparable among the many international shipping companies.
International Courier Services
International Courier Services

What Is Needed
International shipping companies all across the world need the following to ensure that they deliver a seamless service to their clients.

Dependability
Whenever you clients can depend on you at all times, it will be very easy for them to enjoy your services and be happy with you. When you prove to be a dependable company that offers dependable international shipping services, everything between you and the client will be smooth. There will be no resistance.

Accuracy
A lot of companies that offer international courier services deal with a lot of clients from different parts of the world. Therefore, you can be sure that the data they handle is too much. Even so, having systems in place to ensure accuracy is important. Should you miss one number when writing down the address, the parcel will end up somewhere else. Accuracy is a must.

Effective transportation systems
Companies that offer international courier services must have transportation systems that are efficient and up to standard. No company can risk breakdowns and also lack a backup plan that will ensure parcels get to their destination on time. All transport systems must be in a top condition whether they are used on land, water, or air.

Excellent customer service
Customer service is a vital part of shipping companies. Whenever a client has questions or concerns, the customer service department has the responsibility to handle the matter. Professionalism will go a long way as far as customer service is the subject matter. Always ensure that your customer care services and all your clients will be happy at all times. When the client is happy, then the business is doing its part flawlessly. 

Achieving an excellent and flawless service delivery is very easy as long as there are guiding principles such as the ones mentioned above.  When the service delivery is free from any hiccups, the company accomplishes its goal of meeting their client’s needs. What every client wants is a problem-free service. DTDC Singapore ensures that it gives you what you need. 

Monday, June 18, 2018

Facts And Figures about Costs Involved In International Shipping

International Shipping Cost’s Facts And Figures

Facts And Figures Concerning the Cost of Shipping
Courier to Europe from the USA
Courier to Europe from the USA
International shipping is one practice that will never seize, but the factors that influence it and dictate its operations keep changing. One of the factors is cost, and there are a lot of facts and figures that accompany costs involved in shipping. A lot of courier companies need to put in place a lot of financial strategies to control their activities while running the company.

The Facts And Figures to Know About Shipping

The transport costs differ depending on products
Typically, a courier company incurs a lot of expenses while conducting shipping activities. That is why they need to strategize on the transport cost. There are different ways that companies change their clients. The shipping companies cater to individuals and companies.

Dealing with companies
There are companies that import and export products in large quantities. The product that is being transported will impact the transport cost significantly.  For instance, the cost for a unit of TV set will differ from one kilogram of coffee. While the shipping cost for a unit of TV set can be $10.00, that of a kilogram of coffee can be $0.15. Therefore, the charges for a courier from the USA to India will depend on what you are trading.

The Weight Is A Vital Influencer Of Charges
When you want a courier from the USA to India, the charges will depend on the way the company operates. While some companies may have standard rates for certain items, there are those that will charge you by the weight of the product. However, different companies have different ways to charge their clients. They all look at different factors. Therefore, you can expect anything.  Even so, many companies look at the weight.

2018 Is A Good Year For Making Profits
A lot of ship owners faced financial difficulties because of the lower freight rates in the year 2016. But things changed steadily over the past two years and are brighter in 2018. Because of the recovery, a lot of shipowners can now make a profit and enjoy. Now, a courier to Europe from the USA will earn you better profits.

Security Measures Also Cost A Lot
With international shipping, there are security measures in place that shipping companies need to comply with and they require money. For instance, there is the cost of security measures that had a running cost of $105,000 as per a study in 2007. There is also the economic cost of piracy and more. 

All these influences the cost.
These are some of the facts and figures to know. DTDC USA has put in place every factor that counts when dealing with costs. Now, you can get a courier to Europe from the USA with better understanding. 

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Facts And Figures to Know About International Shipping

Shipping comes with a lot of expenses both for the client as well as the company. Typically, as compared to other means of sending packages, using international parcel delivery services can be a bit costly. However, the premium services that the companies offer make the expenditure worth every coin spent. There are a few facts that that people need to know when it comes to the costs of international shipping.
International Parcel Delivery Services
International Parcel Delivery Services

The Weight of a Package Affects the Cost
A lot of Courier Companies determine their charges of a parcel after considering the weight of the parcel. This is a practice that has been around for a very long time. It is effective and a fair way to gauge the cost of a parcel. Putting standard fees can cause some clients to pay an amount that is not worth what they are sending.

The Destination of the Package Affects the Cost
The destination of a package also plays a significant role in the ultimate price that a client will have to pay. Typically, the further the destination, the higher the amount as per the rule of some companies. For instance, let us take an example of two packages that weigh the same. One package is being transported within India while the other one is a courier sent from the USA to India, the prices will vary.

Freight Costs That Companies Incur Vary Depending On Certain Factors
A lot of factors influences the freight rates for shipping. These factors include facilitation of trade and transport, the operating costs, the shipping network and the position in it, regulations and the structure of the industry, the products, and a few more factors. These factors influence what a company spends on international shipping.

There Is an Increasing Demand for Shipping Which Means That Companies Will Benefit
2016 was a bad year for a lot of shipping companies because there were lower freight rates. This meant that the ship-owners were facing loses.  However, over the last two years, there has been a significant recovery. The prices are going higher, and 2018 seems like a great year. Therefore, companies can look forward to making profits.


There are so many couriers, and all of them offer different international shipping prices. Therefore, ensure that you choose a courier that gives you the best option. Choose the company that gives you the best rates. 

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Let Your Company Get Benefit of Third Party Warehousing and Fulfilment Services

As a courier service catering for local and international shipping, it is almost expected that you have facilities to store large parcels safely and in an environment that will ensure that items are easily located and kept free of damage. Warehousing is a costly affair. Besides the actual storage facility, you will also require equipment and machinery to move larger items around or load them onto the vehicles, staff to ensure smooth operations and of course some manage-ment software system. These all equate to extra costs that a small courier service will simply battle to afford at the outset.
International Logistic Services
International Logistic Services

Third-party warehousing and fulfillment services are options that should be considered serious-ly. These services are an opportunity to broaden your client base and service area, grow your business and your financial status.

Benefits of Third Party Warehousing and Fulfillment Services

Reaching an agreement with a third-party warehousing company is the solution to the mount-ing costs associated with carrying out this task on your own. A company that is already established will have the facilities readily available, and they will have the staff and manage-ment software system in place to ensure smooth operations. These are all things that would cost a considerable amount to set up.  Do you want to incur costs on something that you are not quite sure is going to be a facility that you use regularly? The agreement you reach with your selected third-party logistics partner will be far less than undertaking the process from scratch.

For a business owner, time is imperative. Without the stress of handling packaging and shipping directly you will free up time to concentrate on areas that will help to increase your customer base. The most crucial factor in this instance is to ensure that you collaborate with a third-party logistics partner who operates with the same values and customer services qualities. They will also be required to update you regularly on what is happening with your shipments. There is nothing worse than being left in the dark and having to answer queries with no information on hand. You should be able to use the extra free time available to you to develop marketing strat-egies, review your products and interact with your customers. The time should not be spent chasing your third-party logistics partner to do his job.

Take the step to grow your international shipping business but do it wisely.  Make valid consid-erations and research before you make a final decision. This is your chance to develop your business in all the right ways while saving you valuable money and time. By availing the ser-vices of DTDC USA, you assure yourselves of premium international logistics services and logistics distribution in a hassle-free way! So, why look elsewhere?

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Shipping from USA to India with DTDC International

It was the birth of my first niece and like all aunts I was super excited. However, due to my professional commitment towards a dream project, I was residing in USA at that time. It was impossible for me to be personally present in India at that time despite my best efforts. But I would not let this special moment pass without my niece getting even a trace of me. I was wondering how to reach out and just then I saw a beautiful crib in a shop. I instantly fell in love with it and decided that this has to be the first personal bed of my little angel. If I am unable to take her in my arms then let this crib at least cradle her. I bought it without any further thought. When the item got packed and the sales person asked me about the address on which to deliver it then I got perplexed. I told him that I want this to be shipped to India, however, to my surprise he gave me a smile and said don’t worry. He made me speak with their shipping partner USA DTDC and all my worries were relieved.
International Shipping Company
International Shipping Company

The USA DTDC people told me that DTDC has started International Shipping and now they ship documents and parcels from USA to India.

USA DTDC provides two services:
1. Express service
2. Cargo service

Under these services they provide following delivery options:
1. Door to door delivery: delivery of items from origin door to destination door
2. Door to airport: delivery of items from origin door to destination airport
3. Airport to airport: from origin airport to destination airport

This was a big relief for me. They collaborated with the shop person and picked up the package right from their shop and as I had booked an express delivery, so they shipped my parcel to my sister’s home in India in 3-4 days.

During this transit time, I was able to track to movement of my parcel precisely through their website www.usa.dtdc.com.  The day it reached my sister’s home, she was so delighted that immediately she unpacked it and converted it into the best sleeping place for my little angel. She clicked the picture and sent that to me. Till date, that picture tops the list of my favourite pictures. It felt that I was holding my little angel in my own arms. I thank USA DTDC for their support and express delivery that made my moment so special. Now, whenever I am in USA and want to send something back home or a friend asks for suggesting a suitable international shipping company then without any hesitation I recommend them USA DTDC.
Happy hassles free shipping!!!!!!! 

Flying Away with Goods in Affordable Prices

My husband and I had been residing in USA for over five years now, working hard on our dream jobs and finally the time had come to return home to India. Both of us were super excited to return to India, to be with our family and above all to eat the best food in the world. We had both missed all that lovely food and the unending festivities of India. Amidst all that excitement we almost forgot about our small world that we had created out here in USA. We had been residing in USA for over five years now and we had bought a lot of stuff to make our living comfortable. When we had come to USA, we had only four big suitcases, however now we had a big cargo to be shipped to India.
We were in a big dilemma to either sell all that stuff or to carry that with us to India. Some of the stuff we can discard or sell in USA, however, there were lots of expensive things or stuffs having emotional significance. Other aspect was the cost attached with getting this stuff delivered to India.
International Shipping Prices
International Shipping Prices

We boxed all the essential stuff carefully and then measured their weight. We spoke with our friends and all of them suggested different things to us. Our last resort was to email our requirement directly to different courier companies dealing in international shipping. We mailed the weights of boxes to get the quotes on International shipping prices.

We received prompt replies from all the international shipping companies dealing in delivery of parcels to India from USA. Some of the quotes were so exorbitant that we almost decided to leave all that stuff back in USA. However, we received a very attractive quote from a very trusted courier company USA DTDC. We had used DTDC services back home in India and were very happy with their service, however, over here in USA it was our first time. However, going by our past experience, we decided to go with DTDC for two reasons:

1. It was one of the most trusted names in courier services
2. The quotes were very economical and they provided direct door to door delivery option.

A day before our departure from USA, we got our cargo couriered to our home in India. We were able to precisely track the movement of our Cargo through their website www.usa.dtdc.com. By the time we reached India and cleaned our home in India, our Cargo was at our door steps. We had never even imagined this entire transit to be so hassle free and cost effective. USA DTDC offers the best cargo delivery services from USA to India at the most affordable prices possible.  Now, whenever any of our friend or relative is relocating back to India from USA, then with no hesitation we recommend them USA DTDC.

Thursday, November 2, 2017

10 Roadblocks Faced By Every International Delivery Company

International Shipping doesn’t sound that complicated but can be a headache. Lost packages. Damaged products. Hidden fees. There is so much to it! Delivering the right products to customers is no easy task and there are lots of things that can go wrong. Let’s have a look at some common roadblocks:

International Shipping
International Shipping

Changing customer needs:  The concept of ‘one glove fits all’ has died, and so have services that associated with the concept. There is a need for logistics solutions that must be tailored to each customer. Full transparency of orders, and clear progression from raw material stages to the final sale of goods have become standard for most commodity groups. With the existence of too many variables in global logistics and many different parties getting involved, keeping a consistently superior level of service might be challenging at times.

Right packaging: The worst thing that can happen to the delivery company is that goods that have been delivered to the consumer are broken or damaged. Today, consumers are demanding beer bottles, wine, cakes and cookies, apart from furniture and electronic goods; materials which necessitate meticulous packaging. On top of this, the packaging must conform to the requirements of delivery companies, and should be environment friendly.

On time delivery: Sometimes vessels take a lot of time to arrive at a place and they will not unload for a long time. It gets challenging to keep on-time delivery rates high. A strike or war risk in etc. in the country of delivery can also contribute to this problem. As we become more and more interconnected, we can foresee that these problems will increase in the future.

Infrastructure: In the age of mega alliances, one major problem that stands out is the infrastructure. With thousands of vessels serving major trade lanes around the globe, the problem of lack of infrastructure has become much more prominent recently. A lot of terminals are trying to complete their set up to accept large vessels and service them. This is causing congestion problems at most terminals leading to a delay in worldwide parcel services.

Capacity: Overcapacity in ocean shipping and tightening capacity in domestic shipping are both affecting the logistics world in a big way. Various studies have found that freight rates are on continuous pressure due to large vessel deliveries.

Security: A growing concern in the logistics industry is that goods are being passed from provider to provider. Shippers book the cargo with local truckers at origin, who delivers the cargo to another local warehouse for handling. The warehouses then load the cargo to trucks which deliver the containers to ports. When the shipment arrives at its final destination, it has passed through seven or eight different sets of hands. Unless everyone involved in this process does their due diligence, security may become a problem.

Business process improvement: Streamlining the supply chain remains a challenging problem. Within the supply chain, deviation from planned production, supply, and transit times can increase variability. These can lead to major deviations in the entire delivery process.

Improved customer service: Greater and better visibility of the supply chain leads to improved customer service. This is a huge challenge for every international delivery company.
Rise in technology and e-commerce orders: While big superstores used to put "mom and pop" shops out of business across the country years ago, e-commerce services, such as Amazon, Flipkart etc. are putting the pressure on brick-and-mortar stores. Essentially, retailers must adapt with the rise in technology and e-commerce sales if they hope to survive in a vastly competitive market. Also, global logistic providers must adapt their approach as well if they hope to effectively meet their consumers' needs.

Incorrect products or packages lost: Incase incorrect products are shipped by the delivery company or if the package is lost in transit, it leads to a lot of hassle for the sender and for the end consumer apart from taking a lot of time & energy. The consumer tends to distrust in the delivery company thus creating a bad name for its business. 

What Are The Challenges Faced By The Courier Industry In The US?

To position a business in the market, one should be able to face the pressing challenges in the industry and should invest in seeking the right kinds of solutions. One of the most challenging industries to operate in is the courier service as it is heavily dependent on internal logistics systems, which is relatively recently organized sector. This article provides an insight on the current challenges and how they may be overcome in the courier industry.
Courier From USA To India
Courier From USA To India

Challenges
One of the main challenges in the industry is on-time delivery. This problem eventually leads to negative word of mouth about the company, while companies leverage this into charging increased cost of services. Proper planning in streamlining the parcel delivery would help in avoiding bottlenecks that result in late deliveries. Planning should be done keeping in mind the delivery location, pick up location and the time taken for shipping, and most importantly, the shelf life of the goods if perishable goods are

Another challenge is determining the cost of the delivery service. The cost includes several overheads right from the salary of the employees, packaging, insurance to the fuel and transportation cost.
There are several software, tools and automation services available in the market that work wonders for international shipping services. These technologies help one deal with the administrative issues stated above, as well as reduce the overhead costs.

With the increasing demand for courier services, it is high time that they automate at least the recording procedures. It is evident that most of the courier services in United States still maintain manual entry of deliveries. This leads to a higher risk of misplacing goods, failing to deliver on time and wastes a huge amount of work time.

Solutions
Investing in an automated systems for maintenance of records might involve a slightly higher initial cost; however, the final revenue gained by saving time will be huge. Having an automated system will also help better customer service. For example, a courier from USA to India shall come via Dubai, and in that case the customer shall be notified on which date and what time the parcel has reached Dubai, allowing them to calculate their final delivery time and plan accordingly. In the digital world, customers would like to be notified and would like to track their parcel online. Facilitating customers to do that will also increase the trust factor of the courier service.

Exclusively coded software for logistics companies helps in faster delivery, maintain hassle-free records, track and deliver goods on time, gain trust of the customer and, above all, will help in increasing the company’s revenue drastically.

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Supply chain trends for 2017

International Shipping

About two decades back if someone were to tell me that I could buy my favourite shoes and have it shipped from US to India in the comfort of my home, I’d just have a good laugh. The sceptic me wouldn’t have believed that express deliveries meant as little as 2 days. And I’d surely be baffled to learn that when the overall US job market was plummeting, the supply chain industry was hiring, and it was the only one to do so. In fact, an article by Fortune.com began with asking how a $1.3 trillion industry could keep growing? And it has!
International Shipping
International Shipping

According to a report by Integration Point, world trade is expected to increase by four times, right up to $68.5 trillion by 2050. As business blurs geographical borders, the supply chain industry continues to play a vital role in facilitating it. From international shipping and parcel deliveries to express solutions, it’s quite hard to identify a single business that doesn’t use a courier service. In fact, the onset of eCommerce labels has forced even local retail outlets and brands to maintain online shops, along with brick-and-mortar stores. Supply chain solutions have become less of a service and more of an experience. And the 2-day express delivery we discussed earlier? That’s the norm! However, a business doesn’t succeed by offering basic requirements. They are constantly required to up their game with new and innovative offerings & solutions – perhaps by offering free deliveries, an additional thank-you gift of some sort, or the like. Irrespective of how companies plan to introduce marketing elements to their deliveries, it just means more business for the logistics industry! And the big names know this.

In its initial stage, running a successful eCommerce was considered a sound achievement. From clothes and shoes to groceries and wine, customers could access the world with a single click. But as the demand kept piling up, brands started looking for improved options that could help handle the bulk. And enter, automation robots. No kidding! In fact, Amazon has its very own Robotics division. It would surprise you to know that there’s a robot-picking challenge held annually and the 2016 competition was rather tough with the robots picking around 100 items per hour. Now, that’s something!

And if robots weren’t enough, in came the use of AR (Augmented Reality). According to recent reports, DHL has successfully completed an AR pilot of its latest Vision Picking program. The program consists of smart glasses that will provide a visual display. This will direct men on the floor towards the next pick-up by highlighting where the items are located. The Vision Picking program is expected to improve productivity by 15%.

Moving on, there’s a certain measure of ecology that should be implemented. And as of now, a number of leading supply chain services are leaning towards sustainable services, whether in terms of international shipping or express deliveries.

The logistics industry is currently experiencing a boom. While business opportunities are on the rise, so are a growing number of competitors, with each looking to grab the largest slice of pie. And the only way through that is to constantly improve and innovate.

Monday, February 13, 2017

Some New Year’s Business Resolutions for Shippers- They’re necessary!

Over the last couple years, logistics distribution has evolved so rapidly that it shows no signs of stagnation. So if international parcel delivery services have to stay on the map of logistics, then they’ve to step up their game frequently to faceoff competition and have to reevaluate their resolutions, every year to keep the glitter on.

International Shipping Prices - DTDC USA
International Shipping Prices - DTDC USA
Watch the world- With USA seeing a change in government and the constant changes in laws across the world, international delivery companies have to stay on top of the regulations implemented on global trade and transport as these will directly affect their business.

Better regulation- Improving efficiency of international shipping, ranging from express delivery to overseas delivery. One of the ways to do it is trying to reduce costs by keeping an eye out for changes in trade laws and international shipping prices.

Self-assessment- Review your performance as a business, identify your strengths and opportunities, and structure your plans and forecasts to put your analysis into action. International courier services thrive only if it is mended time and again, otherwise there won’t be sunshine in paradise.

Monitor competition- Sometimes, if you are observant, your competition can teach you a few lessons, and even otherwise, it should be one of the things to do to excel in the industry and push your logistics distribution a tad bit higher.

Network- Keep those clients and other associates happy. Make a lot more connections. But most importantly reach out to your potential customers and bring that business to you before the hyenas get it.

Technology- Talk about efficiency and not consider technology? Not for smart businesses, no. Implement the latest technology in international logistics services to further lubricate the already smooth running machine. Being technically sound in business brings a lot of trust too.
Be determined to grow and prosper. May you execute all your resolutions! Happy New Year!

A Method to the madness- Understanding Shipping Terms

With a process and network that extends beyond walls and borders, the terms associated with shipping are many. International Parcel delivery services, logistics distribution centers and other parties related, operate smoothly aided by terms that are understood worldwide.
Parcel to India from USA - DTDC
Parcel to India from USA - DTDC

Ever heard of the few listed below?

Shipper- The ones who send the shipment/owner. Also called a consignor
Consignee- The one who the shipment is intended for. Also called receiver
Common carrier- Logistics distribution services that offer to deliver your shipment to wherever and they are subject to a lot of regulations which one should be aware of.

ATA/ETA- When you approach your third party logistics to ship goods, they inform you when you can expect your item to reach its destination; they call it Actual/Expected Time of Arrival. However, it sometimes can arrive earlier or later than the date mentioned.

All Risk- The parcel to India from USA that you plan to ship can be insured against all perils (*conditions apply) with a kind of insurance called All Risk. This is the most preferred policy in insurance as it puts the sender at ease.

Bill of Lading- This is an acknowledgment between you and the third party logistics, containing all the details of the shipment. It is expected to be negotiable but sometimes it isn’t. The end user must have original copies of this to take possession of the shipment.

Bill of Sale- The seller makes a Bill of Sale which gives him the right to legally sell his property to the consumer stipulating the date, time, and location of the sale. This displaces the ownership of the shipment from the seller to the consumer.

These terms make the seller aware of the aspects involved in distribution and also keep participating authorities informed on all the jazz played out from transit to ultimate delivery.

Things to Know About Shipping Insurance

The goods that are shipped through international parcel delivery services are exposed to a lot of perils; from the time they are sent for international delivery and till they reach the end user. This is where shipping insurance takes the spotlight. Shipping insurance compensates for the losses borne during international delivery, with certain conditions attached. Wonder what to consider before insuring? We’ll help you.
International Shipping - DTDC USA
International Shipping - DTDC USA

Worth of the goods- If you are sending a courier from USA to India through international courier services that are not of high monetary value, you might as well let the insurance be as it would only weigh down on your pocket, and who wants that!

Read the documents- Documents specify all details regarding the insurance including how/when to raise claims if goods are damaged or stolen. And ensure that your logistics Distribution party too is on the same page.

Paperwork- Keep your paperwork related to the goods handy, you would need that to claim insurance and to raise a claim, these are of primary importance.

Takes time- In international shipping the time taken to find a fix for losses takes time. If goods are reported missing, logistics distribution services take a few business days to come back. If it can’t be found, they would ask you to authorize a claim. And all this, clearly, takes time.

Pick your insurance- There are various insurance schemes available in the market. To name a few:
• All risk- Covers any physical loss/damage due to external causes
• Certain perils- Insures only stipulated causes for loss/damage
• Natural causes- Insurance does not cover acts of god, riots and the likes

Be it express delivery within the borders or a courier to Europe from USA, insurance is a critical aspect. You get that part of the story right and your friend will surely get that Mac you’re sending over.

How to Pack Auto Parts Properly

Packing auto parts is not a child’s play and if it is an international delivery, the process has to be a lot more stringent. How you pack your auto parts, determines how secure they will be during international shipping. Once you get the packing right, your worries about goods transportation during logistics distribution reduce substantially, and the risk involved too is minor. If you’re planning to send a parcel containing auto parts via international parcel delivery services, then you have to pay heed to the many factors that are involved in packing auto parts.
International Parcel Delivery Services -  DTDC USA
International Parcel Delivery Services -  DTDC USA

Here are a few parts that require distinctive packaging:
• Car doors and other small parts
• Windscreens and windows
• Metal fixtures
• Electronics
• Seats and inner fabric
It is needless to say that these are just a few of the many parts that make up automobiles and one has to account for the clauses laid down by the international parcel delivery services and the authorities across borders.
How do I pack them and what to consider?
• To begin with, your package should be sturdy, mainly on the outside and you should cushion the parts inside to prevent hassles during international delivery.
• Use corrugated boxes, plastic or metal ones, whichever fits the bill. You can also custom design the package if it’s cost-effective, but hey, it could be worth the investment!
• Ascertain the conditions in the fulfillment warehouse or how the trucking services function in the region. If the packaging of the parts does not adhere to this, then techniques used are unsuitable and should be worked on.
• Modes of transport- Shipping by air and sea needs a lot more attention, as in, weight and the material of the package. If parts are shipped via express delivery then care needs to be taken before placing the consignment in the hands of international logistics services.
This is auto parts packaging 101.

Friday, January 6, 2017

Freight Claim Management: Are You Doing it correctly?

Claim! But who is it to blame?

It is impossible for an international delivery service company to ship a sea of packages across the world and be flawlessly accurate with every delivery. It'd be rather delusional to have an expectation so high with the number of items the international shipping services account for.
International Shipping - DTDC USA
International Shipping - DTDC USA

And of course! When it’s express delivery, every item is to be handled with care. There are boundless ways of how an item can be damaged; here are three right on top:

• Staff at the fulfillment warehouse stacked things on your parcel.
• A bad storm when your parcel was on the ship of the international shipping service.
• A daring driver from the trucking services carrying your package.

Is your slate clean while you think of filing a freight claim?

Pack and seal your parcel cautiously and seal the express delivery package to conceal it. Fragile items need more attention while you pack. Sticker your parcel, the ones that state “Fragile”, “Do not Stack” and “Handle with care” should qualify.

Write a return address on the box so the international parcel delivery services can return the parcel back to you if they fail to deliver it.

Get your parcel insured by the international courier services that offer suitable plans for your parcel to be insured.

Have every invoice that the international logistics services sends you when your parcel makes various stops at different logistics distribution centers to let you track the item.

Notify the international parcel delivery services about the damaged package you received when it arrived at your doorstep. Examine the item for more damages.

Get all the proof you can All the invoices you received from the international delivery service, photographs of the damaged item, and the delivery man to be a witness. This should give you brownie points.

Damage is a cost for all parties involved, if you play a part of a responsible customer, you may be able to file a claim and get your claim paid.



Courier in Hot Weather vs. Cold Weather - Sun, Snow, and Shipments


When transporting goods across borders, getting the product from its origin to the consumer comes with a ton of challenges. One of the primary challenges for any international parcel delivery services are the weather conditions. Weather conditions are to be monitored closely by international delivery services in order to deliver the product without damage and on-time.


International Parcel Delivery Services - DTDC USA
International Parcel Delivery Services - DTDC USA

Products which are couriered can get easily damaged due to abnormal weather conditions and these are mostly food products and medical supplies.

Here are a few methods that the international logistics services have come up with to tackle adverse weather conditions:

1) Packing: Fulfillment warehouse should pack goods suitably considering the damage the weather can cause to the parcel.

2) Forecast: The international shipping services should recover historical data of challenges they faced during severe weather conditions and plan a workaround to meet international delivery demands more efficiently.

3) Technology: Most containers carrying perishable items are temperature controlled with trackers to help track movement of the same.

4) Equipped warehouses: Logistics distribution centers are aware of items that can get damaged in the heat/cold and hence keep a close watch on such goods. For this, temperature at such distribution centers is controlled to prevent goods from damage. 

5) Equipped drivers: Cold weather and snow causes a lot of trouble to truckers and this can delay delivery. Trucking services are to be equipped with shovels and other tools to help get them out of trouble on snow filled roads. Winter tires are increasingly used by large number of fleet vehicles, offering better grip and decreased stopping distances in adverse weather conditions.

Other than a threat to drivers of these trucking services during the cold weather conditions, most products are vulnerable during hot weather. The products that are being transported under the heat of the sun require more attention and quality check to keep them from spoilage.

Friday, December 16, 2016

Blast from the Past: The world's first flying courier- The pigeon, how did they operate?

Most of us belong to an era, which never saw this phenomenon of Pigeon post, except maybe in movies. Pigeon post is defined as the usage of homing pigeons, which are specifically bred for its ability to return home, by finding its way back even over long distances. Homing pigeons were trained by first sending the pigeon to the person who would be sending a message to you. This way when someone needed to send a message they would attach the message to the pigeon and the bird would promptly fly back to its home (your house). Messenger pigeons always worked unidirectional, and they followed one rule: “they always fly home.”
Courier From USA To India
Courier From USA To India

At present, and today, physical distances are not a great deal, shipping is made simpler and planned and operable all via a computer. Most international courier services or international parcel delivery services companies in USA carry out large-scale international shipping day after day. Parcels are of many types and the parcel or courier that has to be delivered could be an express delivery or an international delivery. Whether it is a courier from USA to India, a parcel to India from USA, a courier to Europe from US, at the base of it, a courier company should be able to provide good international shipping prices so customers’ are motivated. Unlike pigeon mail, courier companies today have to be well-rounded with good tie-ups with third party logistics, neat international logistics services and logistics distribution all complete with a large fulfillment warehouse with well-managed trucking services, all working in tandem to deliver a parcel in time within and outside of the US.

Although science and new methods have made communication spanning miles a simpler process, it is fascinating to consider that a bird was bred specifically to deliver important messages and notes and was efficiently put to use in the early 1900s.

Blast From The Past: From Couriers On Foot And Couriers On Horseback To the Present

Courier companies in the US have transformed in style from animals, birds, human couriers, and now freight transport via air, water, or land. Pigeon post was one of the earliest forms of mail delivery that utilized homing pigeons to deliver important messages in the early 1800s. Gradually in the late 1800s, before the gold rush, dogs were used to pull dogsled, primarily in snow-clad areas. The first delivery service in the US traditionally included stagecoaches pulled by mules or horses.
Parcel To India From USA
Parcel To India From USA

Then came the pony express, which used horseback riders instead of a four-wheel carriage. This helped reduce the time taken for packages to be delivered by a large margin. It is said that approximately 400 horses were used and they were selected solely by considering their swiftness and level of endurance. Pony express introduced the idea of having a delivery service across the Continent USA and developed into delivery by railroad as well.

These days, things are a lot different as approaches and processes are different. Distance does not matter. Whatever be it, a courier to Europe from US, a courier from USA to India, or a parcel to India from USA, an express delivery or an international delivery, the shipping process is shortened and you can get all this done, and get your job done. International parcel delivery services or International courier services companies in the USA undertake international shipping on a customary basis.

What is expected of a courier company is that they offer good international shipping prices so it draws customers’. Unlike the olden days’ pigeon mail, courier companies today are expected to be well-equipped with third party logistics, international logistics services, and a balanced logistics distribution complete with fulfillment warehouse and sufficient trucking services, so that any parcel can be shipped to any place within the stipulated time.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Things you need to know before selecting a warehouse facility

With e-commerce throwing up a world of opportunities, online retail competition has only grown and it is so huge that prompt and efficient delivery of purchases is the only way to increase volumes and ensure customer retention. So, success largely depends on the efficiency of logistics, distribution and last mile delivery services and any problems in this create havoc. While small players have an in-house team because they handle lesser volumes, larger players who handle huge volumes depends on international logistics services to take care of their logistics demands. 

International Logistics Services - DTDC
International Logistics Services - DTDC
Third party logistics providers who handle international parcel delivery services and trucking services for inland navigation as well as those offering fulfilment warehouses are preferred by large volume players to help them in international delivery of purchases. 

Warehouse - a critical component of supply chain!

Whatever be the mode of logistics, trading companies need to establish a proper warehousing facility to store goods safely and to maintain inventory control. There are a lot of things to be considered while choosing a proper warehouse. 
• Location: 
The warehouse should ideally be centrally located and should offer easy access to international shipping ports, expressways and rail facilities and to also terminals of your international courier services that can help you save on international shipping prices.
• Storage:
The warehouse should have the capacity to meet requirements and should have racks for bulk storage facilities. Racks for storing your consignment courier from USA to India or consignment courier to Europe from USA and also for those marked for express delivery can help streamline the supply chain.
• Layout: 
The optimal layout, though based on requirements, should not be a hindrance to easy cargo flow inside. Facilities with high ceiling and wide columned structures should be preferred. 
• Design:
While equipment is needed to handle bulk cargo, smaller, assorted items need personal handlers, so a warehouse should have a design that allows for seamless operations for both.
• Security:
The warehouse should be adequately equipped with fire fighting gear and products, all fire safety precautionary measures should be in place, it should be climate controlled. 

It should also be secure and well guarded to prevent pilferage or theft and prepped for weather conditions and pests.  

While these are broader considerations, there are other factors too that are to be considered while selecting a warehouse, because your success and on-time deliver depends on the supply chain, of which warehousing is a critical factor. 

So, your parcel to India from USA will definitely go to India at the right time in the right condition, through the right channel for easy delivery, provided your warehouse is in order.