One of our regular customers approached our team to get together a quote and freight service for full container shipping to the USA. They required a full 40’ container to be loaded in Peterborough, UK and shipped to Charleston in the USA. Once our export team had checked around with different shipping lines for the best route, price and next available departure date, we presented the offer to our customer.
The particular shipping line selected offered a good balance of direct routing across the Atlantic Ocean, space available on the next sailing and a fair cost. Once we had the go ahead, our freight team liaised with the loading point to arrange the collection of the goods in good time to reach the next sea freight sailing to the USA from London Gateway port.
The loaded container was delivered to London Gateway port, ready for loading on to the departing vessel. Our team handled the export customs clearance, VGM, pickup by the haulier and sea freight to the USA.
This particular route from the UK to Charleston, USA has a transit time of 10 days port to port. When arranging collection in advance of a sea freight export, you need to take in to account the shipping line’s cut off dates when the shipping container needs to be at the port of export. Similarly, once the container has arrived in the USA, you’ll have to factor in time for unloading of the vessel, customs clearance and delivery to door.
If you have a sea freight shipment to the USA, whether it is full or part container load, get in touch with our export team who will be able to put together a quote for you. 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.
A recent survey compiled by the British Chamber of Commerce suggests that some UK businesses are holding back from exporting their goods and services overseas.
The Chamber reports that less than half companies surveyed (total of 4,700) had plans to expand internationally. There have been calls for further support and advice for those UK companies who have potential to export from the UK in order to strengthen the UK’s economy and become a leading export nation.
In order to export successfully knowledge is required, not just of protocols from the UK, but the requirements in other countries. This is where appointing a well-established and trust-worthy freight forwarder could be the perfect solution to lack of experience and confidence.
A decent freight forwarder should be able to provide you with as much ‘hand holding’ as you require, will be up-to-date with world markets and protocols, and will have a strong network across the globe.
Appointing a freight forwarder will be an important decision for your company as you will work closely on some important business. You will need to make sure that you work well together, by starting a dialogue early on, you will be able to get to know your forwarder and ascertain whether their promptness, knowledge and experience suits your business needs.
Mercator is a UK based freight forwarding company, proud to offer a personal service for our customers no matter how large or small. We were founded in 1991, so are well-established in the market with good contacts within the major shipping lines and UK-based hauliers.
We are founding members of the international network of freight forwarders MPL (Marco Polo Line) which gives us personal contacts across the globe. These contacts allow us to deliver and collect locally in a number of different countries, including clearing exports through local customs.
If you are actively looking for a professional to assist you with exporting (or importing) for the first time, then do feel free to call us. Your enquiry will be passed to George, our Export Manager. You can call 02392 756 575 or email sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
Cargo Week Americas and Expo Carga are running this June in Mexico City.
The aim of the international trade exhibition is to allow members of international trade to meet and discuss business together. It is a great networking opportunity, and Mercator (and independent, international freight forwarder) will be in attendance this year.
Paul, our MD, will be representing Mercator Cargo on the Marco Polo Line stand (Stand Number 423). Marco Polo Line (or MPL) was set up as a global network for independent freight forwarders like Mercator. We are proud to be a founding member of this international network.
As a part of MPL, Mercator has strong relationships with other freight forwarders around the globe. This allows us invaluable local knowledge and personal contacts where ever your cargo goes.
If you are attending Expo Carga, please come and say ‘hello’ to Paul. And if you are looking to book a meeting as part of the ‘Cargo Week Americas’, we will be represented by Luis, who is fluent in English and Spanish. To arrange a one-to-one meeting, please email Mr. Alexandre Surman (who speaks fluent English) asuman@glidatex.com
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.
Gulftainer has won a bid to develop and run a new container port in Tripoli, Northern Lebanon. An investment of $60 million will fund machinery for the new port, including three ship-to-shore gantry cranes, nine yard cranes and up-to-date technology to manage the yards and containers in the new port smoothly.
Once the port has been completed, it will be able to receive some of the largest container ships in the Eastern Mediterranean. The new Port of Tripoli will alleviate some of the congestion at nearby Port of Beirut, and an alternative terminal to that of Tartous and Lakakia in Syria.
The new port will provide another route for imports and exports to Iraq from the Mediterranean Sea. This will cut transit times from Europe to Iraq, allowing cargo to pass through the new Tripoli Port and travel via road to its destination in Iraq. Currently the Umm Qasr Port (Iraq) and the Gulftainer Port in Tripoli (Lebanon) are not linked via rail, although it would only take 31km of track to link the two ports.
Call Mercator today to discuss your shipment to or from Lebanon – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
Mercator can offer shipping services for abnormal loads and oversized cargo. Examples of loads we are able to deal with include yachts, planes, locomotives, wind generators and propellers to name a few.
Cargo of this nature needs to be handled with care for loading and unloading and specially secured during transit by sea. Mercator can arrange for your oversized load to be transported in the safest and efficient way. With over twenty years of experience in the freight forwarding business, our team of freight forwarders have the knowledge and experience to be able to advise you about options when shipping your out of gauge (OOG) cargo.
Arranging for cargo which does not fit into a standard container requires experience and full understanding of possibilities when it comes to ocean freight. Some freight services on offer include flat-rack, RoRo (roll-on, roll-off), timber beds, hiab/crane deliveries and low loaders. With Mercator’s team of freight forwarders, we can assist you in arranging the safe transportation of your oversized cargo load.
Call us today to discuss your out of gauge (OOG) cargo shipment with details of rough dimensions and weight – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
If you’re looking to export chemicals, Mercator Cargo can help. With trained staff and over 20 years’ experience in international freight forwarding, Mercator has the knowledge and contacts to arrange your export of chemicals from the UK.
Even hazardous, dangerous or restricted chemicals are in our remit. When your chemicals both leave the UK and arrive at their destination country, hazard restrictions and regulations may apply, it is vital these are understood. Mercator is able to assist you in understanding these regulations and offer advice with regards to labelling, packaging and documentation.
There may be specific regulations about how your chemicals need to be packaged, classified and labelled. Mercator can offer advice with regards to any queries you may have. Still managed and owned by the founding family, we pride ourselves with offering the best customer service at a personal level.
Mercator is able to offer a bespoke service to aid you in organising your export shipment of chemicals from the UK.
Call today to speak to a member of our Export Department to discuss your export of chemicals from the UK – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
At Mercator we can offer a variety of options for refrigerated container transport (also known as reefers) for import into the UK and export from the UK. Some goods will need to be kept at a cooled constant temperature, for example frozen food stuffs, whilst other items (for example candles) may need to be protected from heat or cooler temperatures in a controlled temperature environment. Reefers allow the transportation of perishable goods at any time of year, safe in the knowledge your goods will not spoil.
Available in either 20 foot or 40 foot containers, and even part loads – where we can combine your goods with other loads (provided that all the goods can be kept at the same temperature). Combining your load with other goods can keep your costings down.
Examples of refrigerated container transported goods include:
Mercator also offers comprehensive advice and services in all Port Health matters. If importing or exporting food stuffs, your goods will be subject to Port Health clearance. Our experienced team of freight forwarders can advise on all Port Health queries.
When importing into the UK your goods will be subject to VAT and Duty charges through customs. We are able to calculate this rate and deal with HMRC clearance. Once your goods have arrived in the UK and your VAT & Duty charges have been settled, Mercator can make arrangements to deliver your shipment to door, either via road haulage or rail.
Call today to speak to a member of our Operations Department to discuss your refrigerated shipment – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
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.
