With PIFtrack, you gain 24/7 online visibility, allowing you to monitor your shipments whether air, sea or road with ease.

Our advanced route planner makes tracking journeys straightforward and efficient.

PIFtrack is not intended to replace our existing communication methods but rather to complement them, providing an additional layer of support and convenience.

With PIFtrack, you can view invoices, statements, and documentation effortlessly. The system also displays milestone updates, keeping you informed every step of the way.

If you are interested in PIFtrack or would like to find out more please do not hesitate to contact me.

The post Pinnacle launch PIFtrack – your new 24/7 Shipment Tracking Platform appeared first on Pinnacle Freight.

Firstly, we have installed new Solar Panels at our Head Office in Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, East Midlands, which will help to reduce not only our costs but also our energy consumption as a company. We believe that this will help to offset the carbon footprint of our freight and transport operations. We have fitted 380 solar panels which will generate 167.16MWh annually. This will supply us with at least 52% of our total energy, whilst putting any excess energy we are not using back onto the grid, giving cleaner energy to others.  

Below is the site plan, and some pictures during the installation process. 

We are excited to announce that the Solar Panels will reduce our CO2 emissions by an estimated 32.33t, which is the equivalent of 1485 trees being planted!

As part of the solar panel installation project, the roof has also been upgraded by installing thick fibreglass insulation to make our building more energy-efficient and reduce any residual heat loss.  

But that’s not all! Other measures Pinnacle have taken alongside this are installing a brand new boiler system giving us an improvement of 40% efficiency, which is also linked to smart thermostats on each individual radiator. We have also switched all our forklift trucks from gas to electric at all of our sites, which will then mainly be charged with solar power. In conjunction with this, we have also installed several electric car charging points which can also charge our fleet of electric company cars.

In addition to the above, lighting at all our sites has been upgraded to LED lighting replacing approximately 170 lights, giving us a massive saving in energy consumption and improving our overall working environment in both the office and the warehouse. 

Finally, we also operate a recycling programme for all our wood, pallets, cardboard, plastics and shrink-wrap to make sure that we reduce our impact on the environment. 

We at Pinnacle continue to invest in our future, improving our working environment, whilst reducing both our energy consumption and overall carbon footprint, all helping to offset our freight operations. 
If you would like to find out more about Pinnacle please feel free to visit our website www.pinnaclefreight.com or contact us at enquiry@pif.co.uk

The post Pinnacle continues to invest in the future! appeared first on Pinnacle Freight.

At Pinnacle, we offer freight services across all types of containers and specialist project cargo and can assist in any type of cargo loading.

Internal dimensions for general-purpose containers are below.

For any requirements outside of general-purpose containers please do not hesitate to contact the Pinnacle team at 0845 6216 111 or email us at enquiry@pif.co.uk

Container loading capacity is important and needs to be considered carefully as not only will maximising the load impact the cost per unit and help increase profitability, you need to consider the balance, stability, distribution and safety of the load to make sure that movement and damage during transit of your cargo is reduced. You will also need to make sure that any packaging material complies with the rules set out by the destination country.

Pinnacle can help you plan the load of your shipment and has loading management tools to support with this. Also if you do not have adequate facilities, room or equipment to load your container, we can offer a full container loading service. Our warehouse and packing operatives are well experienced to make sure your container is loaded efficiently, securely and safely.

Best practice when loading a container

Best practice when loading a container

Firstly, upon arrival of your container for loading you need to thoroughly inspect the container for any damage that may make it unworthy of transportation. The container will need to be both air and water-tight, so check the seals are in good order and look for any holes/major rust which would allow water inside the container. 

If you see any damage then take pictures including the container number, clause the collection note with the defects and reject the container. Similarly, the container should be clean and tidy and free of contaminants which could compromise your load. It is much better to stop the load at this point, rather than it getting to your customer resulting in damage and the possibility of a lengthy insurance claim.

When loading the container, we suggest loading from heavy to light (where heavy is loaded first and lighter goods are on top). Next, you load from back to the front of the container, and from bottom to top. Secure your cargo with straps, chains, and cargo nets and fill any gaps with dunnage to help avoid the movement of your goods during transit. 

Again you must make sure that any wooden packaging complies with the rules of the destination country and we would suggest only using wood which is ISPM15 compliant. Also when loading your container you need to consider how your customer will off-load the container when they receive the goods which they have ordered from you. 

Next, take photos during the loading process to illustrate how your container was loaded. Not only does this help to show your customer that the goods are loaded and secured properly, but it also gives you a record to follow when you next load your container and helps build good practice. 

Once the container is fully loaded and the goods are secured take a final picture of the load, along with the container number and then seal it with the container seal provided and take a photo of the seal number. This gives you a full record that the shipment has been loaded and secured properly to send to your customers so that they are confident when buying from you.

Additionally, it also helps in the event of any potential insurance claim if anything unforeseen happens to your cargo during its journey such as theft, damage or loss. Insurance companies will require photos as proof of loading, including the container number and seal number. They will also need the collection/delivery notes to ensure these are signed, dated and checked properly. 

What happens if I haven’t got enough cargo for a Full Container Load (FCL)?

Of course, if you don’t have enough cargo to make up an FCL then there are Less than Container Load (LCL) consolidation services which Pinnacle can offer. However, as this increases the amount your cargo will be handled, please ensure that your cargo is well packed and is strong enough to be handled several times. Your cargo should be suitably packed so it can be loaded into a container along with other goods. Similarly, if time constraints do not allow for sea-freight options we have both premium and economy air freight services which may be of interest. 

Whatever your requirements are, Pinnacle is here to help you. We will recommend the right shipping container for your cargo, help you maximise your load and give you guidance on making sure it is loaded correctly. 
Alongside the freight, we can also offer consolidation and container loading services. Now, feel free to give us a call at 0845 6216 111 or drop us an email at enquiry@pif.co.uk for more information.

The post Tips to Optimise Container Loading Capacity appeared first on Pinnacle Freight.

In this article, we explain the importance of controlling your freight when ordering from overseas.

Understanding Incoterms to avoid unexpected costs

Whilst ordering from your supplier overseas using pre-paid Incoterms such as CIF or CFR (to arrival at the port of discharge) can look attractive at first glance, it often has many pitfalls and can lead to several issues. 

This is why Pinnacle always recommends controlling your own freight by shipping ‘freight collect’ using Incoterms such as Ex-Works or FOB when ordering from overseas. Allowing your overseas supplier to control and pay for the freight can actually lead to higher costs, increased stress levels, a lack of control and additional transit time for your important shipment. 

The supplier is usually only interested in shipping your products to you as cheaply as possible. As with most things, if the price looks too good to be true, it probably is! Therefore, when ordering from your overseas supplier always ask them for an Ex-works or FOB price, rather than just CIF or CFR to arrival port of discharge. 

Advantages of shipping Ex-works / FOB

There are many advantages of shipping Ex-works/FOB. Here are a few of the main ones to be aware of:

Relieve stress and improve service levels 

When tracking your shipment, Pinnacle will monitor it through every milestone of the shipment, keeping you updated on its progress and sending bespoke shipment reports.

Knowing where your shipment constantly is and receiving a Notice of Arrival (NOA) in good time enables you to avoid late payments to your supplier in order to release the B/L and reduce the risk of additional charges such as demurrage.

You’ll also only deal with one freight forwarder for everything. If you buy on a pre-paid basis such as CIF/DAP, you will be dealing with several different companies for each shipment. Pinnacle will assign one point of contact to look after your shipment from start to finish.

It’s also worth noting that providing you have a suitable credit rating, you can pay freight charges on account rather than paying the freight up front to your overseas supplier.

When shipping CIF, the insurance offered may be limited and not cover everything which you would expect, such as General Average for example. Therefore, take control of insurance and either arrange through Pinnacle for a small premium or add marine insurance onto your business policy to ensure you have a fully comprehensive cover in place.

Control of the shipment

Do not get hit with unexpected charges. Although the price to get the shipment to the UK port can look very attractive, higher UK terminal charges and handover fees can actually result in you paying more for your goods than you have budgeted for and make it more expensive overall.

Avoid chances of demurrage/quay rent charges through not knowing where your shipment is or when it’s arriving, and having to rely on other agents to send you a NOA. This may not allow you enough time to obtain the release of the B/L due to late payments to your supplier. Also, you may not receive a NOA at all, so your shipment is clocking up demurrage charges without you even being aware of it  

You can enjoy just one point of contact, so you avoid dealing with several different agents each time which often use multiple points of contact for deliveries, invoicing, customs clearance and the like. Pinnacle will assign one point of contact to look after your shipment every step of the way.

Pinnacle can also chase your overseas supplier through our network of agents for updates on goods-ready dates and proposed shipping dates, making sure that the earliest space is secured with the carriers and that you are fully aware of any delays in production.

Know exactly what you are paying and to whom, avoiding the chance of scam payments and having to pay charges that you were not expecting upfront before you can get delivery of your shipment.

Customs compliance 

Using a trusted agent like Pinnacle who are AEO certified to ensure your shipments are declared to the authorities correctly and the correct Import Duty and VAT are paid. It also ensures the correct method of payments are applied, such as VAT through Postponed VAT Accounting, use of correct deferment accounts etc.

We can also provide a document trail. Pinnacle scan all documents for each shipment, so can easily be provided in the event of an inspection by HMRC. They can also be accessed online. Pinnacle will also pre-lodge your shipment to UK customs to ensure any holds such as paperwork inspections are completed early, reducing dwell time at the port of discharge.

In summary, it is our suggestion that you keep control of your shipment by shipping freight collect with Pinnacle when ordering from overseas to make sure you know exactly what you are paying for and to avoid the many pitfalls as set out above. 

Contact Pinnacle today and speak to one of our global logistics experts for information, pricing and advice for your unique requirements.  

UK: +44 (0)845 6216 111 / enquiry@pif.co.uk

US: US +1 757 306 1211 / inquiry@pinnaclefreight.com 

Next time – why it is not always the easiest solution to ship Ex-works when exporting overseas.

The post The importance of controlling your freight when ordering from overseas appeared first on Pinnacle Freight.

As an international freight forwarder, Pinnacle International Freight manages the shipment of cargo to overseas destinations. Pinnacle are familiar with foreign countries’ import rules and regulations, the U.S. government’s export regulations, different shipping methods, and necessary documents for foreign trade. 

We are a freight forwarder, an NVOCC and are licensed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to handle air freight and by the Federal Maritime Commission to handle ocean freight. 

We will recommend the packing methods that will protect the merchandise during transit or can arrange to have the merchandise collected and packed for air or sea freight. As a freight forwarder, Pinnacle can reserve the necessary space on a vessel, aircraft, train, or truck. 

Once the cargo is ready for shipment, Pinnacle will review all documents to ensure that everything is in order. International shipping can put a lot of demand on your packaged goods. They must be packaged correctly to keep potential problems at bay; breakage, moisture, pilferage and excess weight. Pinnacle, as your freight forwarder will be able to provide export packing services in order to protect your goods and international compliance in this area.

Documentation when shipping USA to UK

Forwarders are specialists in the documentation process, so you can rely on Pinnacle to advise you correctly in this area. 

Documentation must be precise because slight discrepancies or omissions may prevent merchandise from being exported, may result in non-payment, or may even result in the seizure of the exporter’s goods by the U.S. or foreign customs officials. 

Most documentation is routine for freight forwarders, but as the exporter, you are ultimately responsible for the accuracy of the necessary documents. The number and kinds of documents that the exporter must deal with vary according to the destination of the shipment. 

Because each country has different import regulations, the exporter must be careful to provide all proper documentation required and Pinnacle is on hand to advise. 

Choose Pinnacle Freight when shipping USA to UK

If you are looking to ship to the USA from the UK, our freight forwarding team of experts can help you in arranging the most suitable and cost-effective way. 

Contact Pinnacle today and speak to one of our global logistics experts for information, pricing and advice for your unique requirements. US +1 757 306 1211 / inquiry@pinnaclefreight.com. To contact our UK team, call 0845 6216 111 or email us enquiry@pinnaclefreight.com

The post Freight forwarder USA to UK: Everything you need to know appeared first on Pinnacle Freight.

In this post, we look at 10 questions to ask a freight forwarder when in the process of recruiting the right partner for your business. We hope the below pointers prove to be helpful. Could Pinnacle be your ideal fit, global logistics partner?

1.      Who’s responsible for insuring my goods?

Your cargo will travel hundreds to thousands of miles, so there’s always the possibility that something could go wrong, including loss or damage. Having the right insurance cover is essential. Most freight forwarders offer marine insurance as an additional service or you might include marine insurance as part of your business insurance. Either way, make sure that you do put insurance in place for transport and/or storage of your goods with third parties. Pinnacle can provide marine insurance upon request. 

2.  How credible and experienced is the freight forwarder?

As logistics is a key pillar of many businesses, it’s crucial that you find a credible and reliable UK freight forwarder. It’s no good entrusting your valuable cargo to a freight forwarder who isn’t fit for purpose and it’s always good to avoid a pitfall if possible.

Think about the following:

• How long have they been established for?
• What accreditations and assurances do they hold?
• What specific services do they offer and are they predominant in any of them?
• Are they experienced in the specific trade lanes that you operate in?
• Do they offer customer testimonials and case studies on their website?

Here are some examples of the key assurances that you should be looking out for. A freight forwarder holding the below assurance examples will help to give you confidence that they are competent.

• British International Freight Association (BIFA)
• The Road Haulage Association (RHA)
• ISO 9001
• Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)
• International Air Transport Association (IATA) Cargo Agent

You can see Pinnacle’s assurances on our website www.pinnaclefreight.com

3.      Do they specialise in or handle similar cargo to mine?

Some freight forwarders focus on specific types of cargo like, hazardous, foodstuffs or work with many companies within an industry such as automotive. If you need a specialist logistics partner for your goods, then do focus on relevant areas for best service. However, most freight forwarders handle general ‘freight of all kinds’ and may specialise in some areas too. Finding out what a freight forwarder offers and specialises in is key to helping you to find the right fit.

You can see Pinnacle’s service offer on our website www.pinnaclefreight.com

4.      How extensive is their network?

A freight forwarder is only as good as its network. You should be looking for a company with well-established international relationships and whose global partners are accredited and credible in their own right. Feel free to ask for more information regarding the origin or destination partner of your potential new freight forwarder, so that you can be assured your cargo will be in good hands.

Pinnacle has been established since 1972 and our core network of trusted partners is longstanding. 

5. Do they manage customs clearance?

Most freight forwarders handle customs clearance. Pinnacle manage customs clearance for our customer’s shipments in-house. 

6. How can I track my cargo?

Having an online tracking system for shipments is, in this day and age, an absolute fundamental service for any credible freight forwarder. If you’re considering a freight forwarder that does not offer this service then it might be wise to discount them.

Having access to a facility that enables you to track your cargo is invaluable. It allows any delays to be communicated to your business and then to any relevant customers or contacts as soon as possible. Most innovative online tracking systems will allow you to check on the status of your consignment at any time and can also provide automated updates in your inbox.

Pinnacle can provide customers with online tracking and one point of contact for communication when managing a shipment.

7. How quickly can I get a quote?

Timing to provide rates will vary depending on many different factors including; origin and/or destination and relevant time zones to request rates, spot rate requirements vs standard shipments using tariffs, goods ready date, departure date, carrier service and requirements, the volume of shipment and others. 

8. Working to shipping deadlines?

If you have urgent cargo, let your freight forwarder know immediately so they can plan for it. Keep in mind that getting your cargo onto the first-available sailing/flight date and vessel/aircraft may sometimes mean higher prices. Pinnacle staff will ask you about this when discussing your shipment. 

Sometimes, it may be worth it to pay a little bit more to get faster transit or a direct service for better reliability. Some shippers prefer to get their cargo to its destination as soon as possible, while others prefer a more affordable option.

9. Can the freight forwarder scale up with your business growth?

It is sensible to suggest that the majority of companies have growth plans as a part of their business strategy. When you’re planning which freight forwarder to partner with, the ability for them to support your planned scalability could be key. If this is essential for your business, ensure that you make this element a crucial part of your selection process.

To help discover which UK freight forwarder may have the ability to scale up with you, ask for some credible customer examples that demonstrate how they have already done this for other relevant customers.

Pinnacle have the flexibility to scale up with your business development. One of our account managers will work closely with you to manage this process.

10. Is the freight forwarder strategically located?

A top-quality freight forwarder will have an established and extensive network of partners, ensuring the best service and well-coordinated global logistics.

If you’re looking for a freight forwarder to physically handle your cargo via warehousing fulfilment services and/or export packing services for example, then their location could be a key consideration.

The major UK sea ports are located mainly in the south of the country. As an importer, the cost of national distribution and haulage from seaports to your distribution centre and from your distribution centre to your nationally based customers is a key component in maximising your efficiencies. 

Choosing a freight forwarder with a more central location such as the Midlands can help balance your service and costing options, in turn helping you to manage your costs and keep your customers happy. You’ll also want to consider locations near major UK airports.

Pinnacle are centrally located in the Midlands, so are ideally placed when it comes to physically handling your cargo. 

Contact Pinnacle today and speak to one of our global logistics experts for information, pricing and advice for your unique requirements. 

UK +44 (0)845 6216 111 / enquiry@pif.co.uk 

The post 10 Questions to ask a Freight Forwarder appeared first on Pinnacle Freight.

Services will be withdrawn in two stages:

• After 30 September 2022 import declarations close on CHIEF
• After 31 March 2023 export declarations close on CHIEF and the National Exports System (NES)

CHIEF has served the UK well, but it is nearly 30 years old. Our IT systems need to be fit for the future.

CDS is:

• More resilient, reliable, mobile, cost-effective and adaptable
• Fully compliant with Union Customs Code (UCC) legislation and operates both the UK and EU Trade Tariffs
• Has the flexibility to grow in line with the Government’s ambitious trade plans to have the world’s most efficient customs system by 2025

Preparation

Step 1: Register for a Government Gateway account

Most businesses will already have a Government Gateway account to access their personal or business tax account. You should use this account to access the Customs Declaration Service. You can register for a Government Gateway account if you don’t already have one.

Step 2: Apply for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification number

Most businesses moving goods in and out of the UK already have one. You can apply for a EORI number if you don’t have one already.

Step 3: Register for the Customs Declaration Service

You’ll then need to register for the Customs Declaration Service. This can take up to 5 working days. You’ll need your Government Gateway user ID and password for yourself or your business. You will also need:

• Your GB EORI number
• Your 10-digit Unique Tax Reference (UTR) number – you can find this here
• The address for your business that is held on customs records
• Your National Insurance number (if you are an individual or sole trader)
• The date you started your business

Step 4: Choose which payment method to use for Duty and VAT

Nothing will change if Pinnacle is paying Duty and VAT on your behalf and sending you an invoice. If you use Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA) and account for import VAT on your VAT return, you can use CDS to get a postponed import VAT statement online.

Other payment methods are available for your declaration. You can view your balances and payments in the Customs Declaration Service Financial Dashboard, as well as grant and amend standing authorities for your payment accounts.

If you have your own duty deferment account – the Customs Declaration Service uses a separate HMRC bank account and CHIEF, so you’ll need to set up a new direct debit.

You can also choose:

• Cash account – these replace Flexible Accounting System (FAS) and you’ll be set up with one once you’ve registered for the Customs Declaration Service.
• Immediate payment by BACS, CHAPS, online or by telephone banking – you can pay by debit card or corporate credit card
• Individual guarantee – you can use these to cover customs duties for one-off or high-value imports
• General guarantee account – this allows you to provide multiple guarantees from the same account, continue importing goods into the UK and pay a disputed amount later once agreed

Step 5: Provide Pinnacle with authority and instructions

You will need to give us customs clearance instructions which are compliant with Customs Declaration Service. You may need to:

• Use the Customs Declaration Service Finance Dashboard to set us up to use your account
• Let us know about any changes to your preferred method of payment
• Let us know about the Incoterms, awareness for all values, the location information and nature of transaction information

Further updates will follow on what information we will need from you.

Please contact your Account Manager with any questions or further information can be found here.

The post Customs Declaration Service (CDS) Update appeared first on Pinnacle Freight.

Get your business ready for import

Before you do anything, you will need to get your business ready to import. To do this, you will need an EORI number that starts with GB in order to import goods into England, Wales or Scotland. You’ll need a new one if you have an EORI that does not start with GB. If you move goods to or from Northern Ireland you may need one that starts with XI.

Get an EORI number

You will also need to check that the business sending you the goods can export to the UK. They may need to make an export declaration in their country or may need certain licences or certificates to do so.

Find out the commodity codes for your goods

You’ll need to include the commodity code on your import declaration. This will determine the rate of duty you need to pay and if you need an import licence. 

Find the right commodity code for your goods

Work out the value of your goods

When you make your import declaration, you’ll need to include the value of your goods. This helps you to work out how much duty and VAT you’ll need to pay. It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure that the freight forwarder has the correct information in order to customs clear the goods on behalf of the importer. Failure to provide accurate information can lead to HMRC investigating and delivering significant fines.

Work out the value of your goods for customs

Ensure you have Marine Insurance

Marine Insurance is really important. Do you insure your home, your car, your holiday? The answer is clearly ‘yes’, so why wouldn’t you insure your goods? Without insurance, a carrier’s shipping line liability is limited in accordance with their terms and conditions. 

You can take out your own business marine insurance cover or purchase cover via your freight forwarder. Pinnacle can provide marine insurance upon request. 

How best to ship your goods from China to UK

Sea freight is the most popular go-to method of importing goods from China to the UK. This is the most cost-effective mode of transport for such long distance, however, the transit time taken to move the cargo by sea is longer than air freight. On average, shipping time can vary from 25 days to 45 days. 

Air freight is a good alternative to sea freight when shipping from China to UK. It is sometimes referred to as ‘frustrated sea freight’ when employed due to the transit time for sea freight being too long. Air freight is commonly used when moving urgently required or sensitive, high-value items. Air freight is a faster and more secure way of moving cargo. Pinnacle offer a dedicated air and sea freight departments and online tracking to manage your shipments from origin to destination. 

Best Freight Forwarder from China to UK

All freight forwarders will offer sea, air and road freight services. Some freight forwarders businesses will predominate in EU / UK trade, US / UK trade or others. In the majority of cases, many UK freight forwarders’ major trade lane will be the China to UK import market, due to the scale of it. 

When looking for the right freight forwarder partner, for your China imports, find one who is adept in shipping from China to the UK. Pinnacle have been successfully managing shipments for many years via our long-term and well-established Chinese partner, who owns and operates 17 offices across China. 

If you’re ready to make your first shipment from China to the UK, follow the suggestions above and employ a credible and suitable freight forwarder like Pinnacle, who will guide you through each step to make your shipments successful.

Pinnacle have many years of experience and expertise in shipping from China to the UK and our team are available to provide personalised guidance and assistance. Contact Pinnacle today and speak to one of our global logistics experts for information, pricing and advice for your unique requirements.  +44 (0)845 6216 111 / enquiry@pif.co.uk

The post Freight Forwarder – China to UK appeared first on Pinnacle Freight.

With FBA, goods are stored in Amazon’s fulfilment centres and picked, packed and shipped by Amazon, taking the load off the seller and allowing them to focus on scaling their business. 

So, would an FBA seller require the services of a freight forwarder? The answer is yes, and we’ll explain below.

How does Amazon FBA shipping work?

You’ve conducted product research and sourced a winning product to sell on the world’s busiest online shopping platform – Amazon. If you are planning on using Amazon FBA, you have two options available to you:

• Have your products shipped straight to Amazon’s warehouses from your supplier
• Ship your products to another location first before they go to Amazon 

Having your suppliers ship your inventory straight to Amazon seems like the most logical option, however, there are a few reasons why you may choose to ship to another location first. 

For instance, some sellers like to inspect the products themselves. Others like to only send a limited quantity of stock to Amazon at a time. This could be to control FBA storage costs or to avoid having all of their stock ring-fenced by Amazon, allowing them to utilise sales from other platforms or routes to market. 

If sellers decide to go via this route, they’ll need to know how to get their products to Amazon’s warehouses when they’re ready. For Amazon sellers (new or established), preparing your goods for FBA shipments can be a difficult, time-consuming and costly task – particularly if you make a mistake as goods can be returned to you and fines levied.

So, how do you set up an FBA shipment to get your inventory into an Amazon warehouse? This is where a freight forwarder comes in.

Do you need a freight forwarder for Amazon FBA?

Once you have established your supplier base (in this and most instances, your supplier will be based overseas), you will require the services of a freight forwarder.  

Freight forwarding is a service industry that involves moving goods around the world on behalf of importers and exporters. A freight forwarder acts as the intermediary or broker between you and the shipping company, airline, rail or road haulage company.

A freight forwarder will be required and save you time and money if you’re importing or exporting large volumes of goods or high-value items by sea or air or road freight. If you’re exporting smaller volumes or regular numbers of packages, it may be simpler, cheaper, and quicker to use a parcel courier. Various couriers can offer free collections seven days a week and tracked delivery. Unlike freight forwarders, courier services generally use their own staff and equipment to make deliveries.

A freight forwarder’s services include:

• Preparing customs and shipping documents
• Advising on a country’s rules and regulations
• Arranging and managing several different transport methods for a shipment
• Negotiating freight charges
• Arranging cargo insurance, if required
• Booking cargo space (for LCL – Less than Container Load cargo, you will save money if you consolidate your shipments)
• Packing goods for export (this requires specialist knowledge)
• Moving dangerous goods
• Managing customs clearance and the payment of import duty at the foreign border

When finding the perfect freight forwarding partner, you should first look for an experienced operator who is a member of the British International Freight Association (BIFA). You can find a freight forwarder on the BIFA website.

When preparing to move goods, the freight forwarder must first receive clear instructions from the importer or exporter, ideally well in advance of the goods being moved.

Each form of transport will have its own required documentation, such as the:

• Air waybill – for air freight
• Bill of lading – for sea freight
• CMR consignment note – for road freight

If you’re using a freight forwarder, they’ll be responsible for ensuring all the documents are provided by the carrier.

If you’re looking for an end-to-end solution from a UK freight forwarder, then consider the following list of solutions and services as standard requirements for your needs: 

• Sea Freight
• Air Freight
• Road Freight
• Warehousing, eCommerce & fulfilment
• System Integration
• Online tracking
• PO Management
• Export Packing
• Well established global network

Freight forwarder experience with Amazon FBA

Amazon is one of the largest retailers in the world and they have precise requirements for items to be packaged, labelled and stored. Yes, you can do this on your own – but it takes plenty of time and there are risks involved. You might end up making mistakes, causing rejections from the Amazon fulfilment centre.

Therefore, it is important to work with a forwarder who has good experience in handling Amazon shipments. They will know all of the requirements and further work with the suppliers to meet the criteria.

At Pinnacle, we handle the international shipping process and ensure your FBA inventory gets delivered to Amazon’s fulfilment centres in accordance with their shipping and labelling guidelines. Whether you’re an established brand or an individual Amazon FBA seller we are here to help you grow your business and succeed.

Contact Pinnacle today and speak to one of our Leicestershire based team of global logistics experts for information, pricing and advice for your unique requirements. 

UK +44 (0)845 6216 111 / enquiry@pif.co.uk 

The post Freight Forwarder Amazon FBA appeared first on Pinnacle Freight.

Described as a ‘time machine’ by scientists, the telescope will allow astronomers to study the beginning of the universe shortly after the big bang, 13.8 billion years ago, and to hunt for signs of life-supporting planets in our own galaxy.

You’ve possibly heard about this groundbreaking project in the news recently. It reached a global audience, unsurprisingly due to its significance. However, why is a freight forwarder writing a blog post about it? The reason is simple and proudly personal to us and our 50-year history as a specialist global logistics provider.

We had a small but crucial hand in this project. 

In this article, we will be exploring this phenomenal project. We explain how Pinnacle supported a vital component of it and in doing so, hopefully demonstrate how a small to medium-sized specialist company can provide a valued skillset to an iconic behemoth like NASA.

What happened?

Almost 25 years since its conception and designed as a replacement for the Hubble space telescope – still in operation after its 1990 launch – the James Webb telescope is a huge and complex instrument. 

Development began in 1996 for a launch that was initially planned for 2007 with a US$500 million budget. There were many delays and cost overruns, including a major redesign in 2005. Pinnacle’s involvement didn’t happen until 2011. We managed a shipment including an advance ‘pre-flight’ version of the MIRI (Mid Infrared Instrument, a literally priceless component for the James Webb Telescope) from the UK to The Goddard Space Flight Centre in Washington. 

In 2012 and following the success of the initial ‘pre-flight’ version of the MIRI, Pinnacle were employed again to manage the actual flight model. We were required to manage a temperature-controlled air cargo container (containing the MIRI component). We provided priority airside access, roller bed systems, air cargo security exemptions, and the building of bespoke air cargo slave pallets. 

The project was managed by our UK and USA based teams. It was lead by one of our Directors, Paul Huston, who met the temperature-controlled airfreight container at Washington Dulles Airport and accompanied the unit to its delivery point at Goddard, ensuring its successful offload and handover to NASA. 

A year later, we were again involved in the project. We managed the escorting of the original pre-flight model to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Los Angeles. A long and arduous but ultimately successful shipment that benefitted from a personal and ‘white glove service’ again. 

“Although we pride ourselves on doing everyday logistics and freight operations well and, on occasion big projects with flair and commitment, these are almost exclusively of commercial importance to ourselves and our clients. It’s rare to participate in great historic events,” said Paul Huston of the project. 

Our involvement in the NASA project was in association with the University of Leicester’s Space Research Center (SRC) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Here’s what Jonathan Sykes, Senior Engineer, Leicester University Space Research Centre UK had to say about Pinnacle’s role in this specialist project: 

“Delivery to NASA of the MIRI instrument for the James Webb Space Telescope was the highest value shipment that we have ever been responsible for in 50 years of space research and the most difficult from a logistical point of view. Pinnacle were instrumental throughout the planning, organisation and ultimately the highly successful implementation of the delivery plan. We look forward to working with them again on similar future projects.”

What’s happening now/next? 

So, now that this feat of human engineering has been successfully launched and is currently in space, what’s the latest news regarding its mission? 

Well, the latest (as of the 8^th January 2022, at the time of writing) is that the giant mirror of this space telescope was successfully unfurled. Over two days, NASA teams have remotely opened the telescope’s 6.5-metre (21ft), gold-coated mirror. This had been flat-packed into the rocket’s nose cone like a drop-leaf table, meaning it can now be prepared for its scientific missions. 

Its tennis-court size sun shield – which will keep its delicate instruments cold – was already deployed. Now the secondary mirror, the Webb’s main mirror, will collect light from the furthest depths of the universe. 

The James Webb, named after a former NASA administrator, still has to travel 400,000 miles to its destination. It will then need five more months for its instruments to be carefully calibrated.

For astronomers, the James Webb offers the prospect of capturing images of the first galaxies to form after the big bang, understanding how stars are born and evolve, and investigating the potential for life to appear in planetary systems. All this will have to be done in a decade, it’s maximum likely lifetime. After 10 years, it is expected the telescope will run out of fuel and slowly drift off course, which is a sad but true prospect.

We’d like to wish the James Webb Telescope all the luck in the universe for a successful journey. We’d also like to thank it in advance for the new wondrous discoveries it will unveil to us and also for letting us be a small but important part of its creation. 

From the simple and common logistics requirements to the complex and literally priceless, contact Pinnacle today and speak to one of our team of global logistics experts for information, pricing and advice for your unique requirements. 

UK +44 (0)845 6216 111 / enquiry@pif.co.uk 

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