Whether you are shipping machinery that is used or new internationally from the UK, you will need to consider some important points before beginning the process.
Firstly by selecting the kind of shipping container equipment that is most suitable for your cargo. If you can get the machinery in a standard or high cube 20’ or 40’ container then these are the most readily available pieces of equipment for shipping. However, if the nature of the machinery means that it isn’t possible to load through just one end of the container, then a flat rack or open top shipping container might be the most suitable. An open top is useful when the cargo is out of gauge in height, whereas a flat rack will cater for out of gauge in height and or width.
Other considerations when shipping machinery include relevant paperwork such as commercial invoice for export, UK export customs clearance, certificate of origin (if required by your buyer at destination), and most importantly any export controls or sanctions at destination. Most of these points will either be handled by your UK-based freight forwarder (such as Mercator) or can be advised as to processes to complete these.
The above images are of two mini diggers which Mercator’s export team arranged for shipping from the UK. We organised the loading, lashing, draining of fuel and battery disconnection to prepare for export from the UK. Our team also handled the delivery to the Port of Felixstowe, loading onto the sea freight vessel and export ocean freight.
In this particular example, the machinery was used, so the draining of the fuel tank and disconnection of the battery was required to be able to ship the flat rack container and contents as non hazardous. For some destination countries, used machinery such as this will be required to be cleaned, free from dirt and debris. This is an important point to consider, and something we will be able to clarify with our agent at the destination country upon your enquiry.
If you are looking for a service for shipping machinery from the UK, please get in touch with our team who are well versed in handling out of gauge and unusual loads. You can get in touch with our export team by calling (+44) 02392 756 575, emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk or completing the form below and someone will be in touch.
UK based freight forwarder Mercator has an import team who regularly handle sea freight from South Korea to the UK. We were recently instructed to arrange this FOB shipment which included the sea freight of a full shipping container Busan through to Southampton port and onwards to the importer’s door.
In conjunction with our partner agent based in Seoul, we arranged the sea freight from South Korea to the UK. Once the container arrived in the UK, our import team completed the UK customs clearance, devann and delivery to the importer’s door on trucks with tail lifts due to restrictions at the unloading site.
There are weekly sailings from the major ports in South Korea: Busan, Incheon and Pyeongtaek, calling at various ports in the UK. Sailings of sea freight from South Korea to the UK ordinarily take around 35-40 days, however given the Suez Canal diversions, schedules are taking up to 55 days port to port.
If you have a shipment from South Korea to the UK, whether it is a full container, a single pallet for LCL or you wish to utilise air freight, then get in touch with our import team who will be glad to provide you with a quote. You can get in touch with our team by calling (+44) 02392 756 575, emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk or completing the form below and someone will be in touch.
We were recently instructed to facilitate the export of a shipping container of UK manufactured engineering components via sea freight to Venezuela.
The UK exporter sold the goods to their customer in Venezuela on an FOB term – free on board. This means that the exporter is responsible for the goods up to when the container is loaded onto the shipping vessel. Mercator’s export team arranged for the shipping containers to be delivered to the exporter in the UK for loading. Once the containers were loaded, we transported them to the port for VGM, export customs clearance and loading onto the vessel destined for South America.
Our agent in Venezuela then took over the remaining transit, including settling the sea freight charges with the carrier, local customs clearance and charges at destination, and onward delivery to the importer’s door.
There are weekly sailings for sea freight to Venezuela from the UK (departing at various ports). Sea freight to Venezuela from the UK typically takes 30 days, plus time either side for loading/unloading and customs clearances. There are daily departures via air freight to Venezuela from the UK, both direct and indirect, ranging from a few days up to a week (including delivering to the airline, customs clearances and collection).
Mercator has a strong network of agents across the globe, including many in South America we have been working with for many years. If you have an export shipment for Venezuela or any other South American countries (even if it is to door), our team will be able to assist you. We can arrange sea and air freight, from a single pallet up to multiple shipping containers and out of gauge cargo.
Get in touch with our team for a quote for shipping to Venezuela or to discuss your requirements by calling us on (+44) 02392 756 575, emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk, or by completing the form below and we will be in touch with you.
Consolidated shipping is where a number of orders from different suppliers are combined in to one shipment. For example, if you were buying goods in the USA from more than one company, you could arrange to have all the orders delivered to a warehouse where they could then be consolidated and shipped together as one shipment.
By consolidating a shipment, you can streamline your delivery process, save money on shipping costs and even reduce carbon emissions.
Consolidated shipments can be sent via sea, road or air freight. In the case of sea freight, your consolidated shipment can be a number of orders that fill one whole container, or several pallets together as a LCL (less than container load) shipment. Mercator regularly handles consolidated air freight shipments from South Korea, and we have organised UK export consolidated shipments.
If you are in the process of organising a consolidated shipment for UK export or UK import, then get in touch with our team who will be glad to help you with a quote. Our team can be reached by calling (+44) 02392 756 575, emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk or completing the form below and someone will be in touch.
If you’re a UK based manufacturer, you may have recently seen an increase in the demand for your goods overseas. Perhaps you haven’t exported your goods before, or have only done it a few times. It will seem like a daunting task, but that’s why it is a good idea to appoint a Freight Forwarder to handle your export shipment for you.
Mercator Cargo is a UK based Freight Forwarder, we have been running for over 20 years, and are still managed and run by the same family. We are a small team of experts in international shipping. Our dedicated export department can assist you in exporting your goods to almost anywhere in the world.
The Government has been saying for some time that international trade (particularly exports) will help the UK economy grow. Now is the perfect time to take that first step into the international trade arena and start exporting your UK manufactured goods. International trade can massively boost a small to medium sized company.
The UK has had a few exposed years in terms of media coverage, what with the London 2012 Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Royal Wedding and so on. As such, there is a greater demand in the world marketplace for UK branded goods.
According to the Office of National Statistics, the export market for the UK for the second quarter of 2013 has been the highest on record (at £78.4bn). If you think your company would like a slice of this huge potential, then perhaps it is time to seriously consider exporting your goods worldwide.
If you are in the stage of arranging some international sales, then it is always a good idea to also tempt your buyers by offering freight included (this can be seen as favourable as it would reduce their workload). We can offer a range of services, from just freight, to a full door to door service.
Give one of our sales team a call today to get a quote for your shipment – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
The biggest ever container ship is due to set sail on the waters in June this year. Rumoured to be taller than the 2012 Olympic Stadium and 400 metres long, it will be the largest vessel on the seas.
Named the Triple E, the new model of container ship will have holding capacity of 18,000 20 foot containers. Inside these 18,000 containers you could fit 863 million cans of baked beans, or 36,000 cars.
Currently, the largest container ship holds the equivalent of 12,500 20 foot containers. This is an increase in capacity of almost 50%. There are already discussions of an ever bigger vessel holding up to 30,000 containers.
The new Triple E ships are intended to run ocean freight services between Asia and Europe.
So what does this mean for the freight forwarding industry?
Bigger container ships are said to be more eco-friendly. Not only is technology becoming more advanced on these large container ships, but by carrying more cargo, the fuel footprint per tonne of cargo is reducing.
However, larger container ships bring their own problems, as ports are expected to either adapt to receive these bigger vessels, or the ships will call at other ports instead.
The Port of Felixstowe handles almost half of the UK’s container trade and has plans to increase its capacities by constructing a third rail terminal due to open later this year.
If you’re looking for a freight forwarder to handle your import or export sea freight, call us today – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
The freight forwarding port of Charleston, South Carolina in the USA, has seen a recent increase in shipping container traffic; handling over 1.5 million equivalents of 20ft containers at its two container terminals last year.
Charleston container port has been named the fastest growing container port on the USA’s East Coast between January and November last year. This increase in size and capacity makes it an ideal port for freight forwarders to ship cargo via sea freight to and from for an efficient and reliable service.
Part of the port’s successes in the increase of container traffic is due to the improved export services and new carrier services to places such as Vietnam and Australia via ocean freight. These improved links between (for example) the USA and Vietnam add to the sea freight forwarding list of options of routes and destination ports.
Charleston container port has stated that it wishes to continue this growth, in particular increasing refrigerated cargo (in refrigerated containers sometimes known as reefers), forest and agricultural products and container imports for e-commerce retailers.
If you would like to speak to a member of the Mercator Cargo team today to discuss your import from Charleston, USA, or an export to the United States, call us today- Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
As we are now in 2013, you may be thinking of expanding your UK based manufacturing business. Perhaps you have a product that is selling well in the UK, but you’re considering the global market place. Freight forwarding might seem a daunting area for new exporters, but we’re here to help.
As experienced freight forwarders based in the UK, we can offer a comprehensive service to all our customers, both large and small. As a family-run, independent freight forwarder, we are able to take the time to guide you through exporting your UK manufactured goods to the global market.
Mercator offers air, sea and road freight worldwide. We are rather unique in that we are a founding member of a global network made up of other independent freight forwarders like us. This allows us personal contacts in almost every country around the world, and invaluable, local knowledge.
Think you might need hand-holding the whole way? No problem. We are well versed in introducing the procedures to new exporters.
Need advice on different options? Mercator can offer advice on ocean freight, air freight and road freight, including costings, transit times, and any local charges you may incur at your goods destination.
Mercator began trading over twenty years ago, and our first customer back in 1991 is still our customer today.
If you’re still wondering if we’re right for you, why not give us a call on 02392 756 575, or email sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk, and either George or Jess will be in touch about your export freight.
10, St George’s Business Centre,
St Georges Square,
Portsmouth, PO1 3EZ, UK
Mercator is a family-run, UK based independent freight forwarder, offering highly effective sea, road and air freight services around the world.
