Two representatives of Mercator Cargo attended the Toy Fair at Olympia this year. Amongst the very exciting new toys, we noticed how popular wooden toys are becoming again. Suppliers of quality wooden toys can be in some fairly unusual parts of the world; with our extensive global network covering over 90 countries Mercator is well placed to help you import wooden toys into the UK.
There are several things to consider when importing wooden toys into the UK. If the goods are being imported from outside the EU, it will be your responsibility (as the importer) to ensure that the wooden toys adhere to certain toy safety regulations here in the UK (such as the European Standard EN17). Wooden toys imported into the UK will require a CE mark. It is advised that this is organised prior to shipment as customs clearance may not allow the toys into the country without it. If you are having toys made for you, then it is your responsibility to ensure that they can satisfactorily pass the tests required to make the toys safe for distribution and use in the UK. Likewise, if you are buying from a manufacturer who already makes the goods, it would be advisable to have a sample sent to the UK so you can have the wooden toy tested in the UK.
If you already have CE marks in place, and are looking for a freight forwarder to assist you import wooden toys into the UK, then we can help! With over twenty years of experience in the freight forwarding business, Mercator is large enough to cope, but small enough to care. We pride ourselves on our personal service offered to all our customers.
If you decide to make us your freight forwarder of choice, then you will be assigned a personal contact here in the office. This experienced freight forwarder will be able to answer your queries and provide advice on topics such as transport methods (i.e. sea freight, air freight or road freight), transit times, VAT and duty payable upon importing of your goods (if any), your responsibilities as an importer, and documentation.
Speak to one of our experienced team today to discuss your import of wooden toys into the UK – 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.
The Brazilian Port Terminal de Conteineres de Paranagua (TCP) has recently received permission to handle larger ocean carriers. Previously restricted sizes were according to the limits allowed to travel through the Panama Canal. The Brazilian port has now been authorised unrestricted access to ‘post-Panamax’ vessels (that is larger than Panamax container ships).
This newly lifted restriction will allow larger container vessels to the South American port than previously, thus increasing loads entering the country and reducing costs. This is of significant benefit to both importers and exporters to and from Brazil.
Since the container terminal was acquired by a private US firm in 2011, productivity in the port has increased. There has been a sharp rise in container moves per hour, from less than 30 in 2010, to almost 80 in November 2012. This is partly due to investment in new handling equipment for the containers. This also has a cost benefit for those importing containers of goods into Brazil, and exporting containers from this terminal.
A planned expansion of the container terminal is due for completion in November 2013.
Call Mercator today to discuss your export shipment to Brazil, or import shipment from Brazil – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.
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.
Just a few weeks ago, the port of Southampton in the UK saw the arrival of the largest container ship. Named Marco Polo after the explorer, the container ship measures a whopping 1,299ft long by 177ft wide. The vessel is longer than four football pitches.
The container vessel, owned by CMA CGM can hold up to 16,000 containers; it’s this capacity that makes it the world’s largest sea freight container ship.
New technology incorporated into new container ships such as the Marco Polo, for example, the advances in hydrodynamics, decrease CO2 emissions and energy consumption. The ship’s electronically controlled engine uses an average of three percent less fuel than a regular engine. Provisions to prevent oil leaks (via a specially designed double hull) and reducing the transfer of micro-organisms from one ocean to another (via a water treatment system) have also been made. Advances such as these make new container ships more environmentally friendly and conserving for the marine environment.
Competitor Maersk is working on building an even larger ocean freight container ship to hold 18,000 containers, after previously holding the record for the largest shipping vessel with capacity of 11,000 containers.
The Marco Polo container ship will adopt a route to link Asia to Northern Europe. As one of the fastest ocean freight services between Asia and the United Kingdom, it also has comprehensive coverage of China, visiting Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen and Hong Kong to name a few, visiting Southampton in the UK .
Call us today to discuss your import shipment from Asia to the United Kingdom – 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.
