Every time you need to transport goods from place A to place B you should be ready to spend lots of time, effort, and money. Even if you deal with the most common types of items, there are lots of tasks you should complete to achieve desirable results. It’s important to make up an optimal route, pick up proper trucks and containers, think about packaging, etc.
No wonder when it comes to the transportation of non-standard items, there are much more things you should think about. When it’s impossible to place goods in standard containers, it’s necessary to look for possible alternatives. Not all truckload carriers possess trailers and containers for non-standard cargo. If you cooperate with the brokers who have a limited number of available options, there are two possible ways out you may explore. They are the following:
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You can rent extra equipment.
The logistics market is full of possible options and services. You can hardly name a tool a modern user can’t find or rent. The only problem is high prices. If you need to
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You should change a freight forwarder.
The next variant is not easy. It implies that you have to change a regular logistics partner and start looking for a new solution. Although the number of available freight delivery services is so huge, it’s still quite difficult to find a really good variant. Moreover, it’s a rather time-consuming process. You have to take the following steps:
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Define your logistics needs.
You may be surprised that there are several types of non-standard cargo. Some items are too wide while others are too high. Sometimes the problem is the huge volume of the exemplars.
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Discuss details of the transportation process.
It’s very important to understand how and in what order all the procedures will be performed. Thus, you need to clarify the details of the loading and offloading processes. Most likely, workers have to apply special tools. If your freight forwarder offers you to do it manually, it’s not a good idea. It not only takes a lot of time but also increases the possibility of damage.
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Clarify prices.
Nobody wants to pay extra high prices for transportation. At the same time, you should realize that dealing with non-standard cargo differs from the simple delivery of typical items. It means you have to be ready to pay more. Yet, it’s still necessary to know average rates to be able to find a really profitable solution.
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Set up a clear plan of cooperation.
You need to discuss what services you suppose to receive and during which period of time. You need to discover what happens in case of delays or damages. It’s a good idea to ask forwarders if they are able to provide you with backup plans in the case of an emergency.
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Think about deadlines.
It’s possible to extend delivery deadlines when it comes to unusual cargo while carriers require more time for preparation. Yet, it’s clear that nobody is ready to wait for ages for delivery.
It’s up to you to choose the most appropriate solution. There is one more significant aspect you have to pay attention to when planning the delivery of non-standard shipments. You need to prepare all the documents carefully. Nowadays it’s quite easy to fill out all the needed papers with the help of special software. It’s only necessary to install an effective application and you can get rid of the necessity to cope with boring calculations and endless figures.
Insurance is an integral part of any transportation process. When it comes to non-standard cargo, the risks of damage are quite high. The best way to minimize potential losses is to buy a proper insurance plan. If you cooperate with a competent 3PL broker, the expert is able to help you to choose the optimal coverage and buy it at the best price. If not, you should be ready to face the issue of the right choice. It may take some time to find really good insurance that covers all your needs and expectations.
So, delivering non-standard cargo is not easy. It requires using special tools and vehicles. It’s necessary to consider each step and pay attention to the tiniest details. Otherwise, transportation may become a real torture for both shippers and carriers.
