At Mercator Cargo we closely monitor worldwide manufacturing and sourcing trends. The recent increase in trade from Vietnam shows the move away from China to other countries, demonstrating the region as one potential new area for traders and manufacturers looking to source cheap, reliable products.

This, of course, is nothing new – like the move away from Europe to China which has prevailed in the previous decades, driven by the increase in the standard of living in China which has increased labour costs driving up manufacturing costs.

The latest move by the USA President, Donald Trump, to increase tariff/duty rates on goods from China will add further pressure to the Chinese manufacturing community. Many US Companies are looking to source goods from outside of China. It makes sense for the rest of the world to follow this trend and begin to look elsewhere, facilities manufacturing goods for the USA will also be able to manage the production of goods for the EU and the rest of the world.

We have excellent partners in Vietnam who not only can provide us with low freight rates for both air and sea, but who can also assist in finding trusted, reliable partners for your manufacturing and sourcing needs. We can also bolt on added services such as warehousing and consolidation.

As Vietnam, and other Asian countries continue to grow we forecast these markets will be the “new” China in a few years’ time, and we are excited to be at the forefront of this new era.

Make sure that you choose a well-established and reputable freight forwarder who has direct connections locally in Vietnam. If you would like to discuss any aspect of shipping or supply chain from Vietnam or you would like a quotation, then get in touch: +44 2392 756 575 or email sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk

 

Get more information on Vietnam Trade

Have you had problems with your shipments recently that your freight forwarder has not attempted to resolve for you?

When you call your freight forwarder do you always speak to a different person, and therefore lack continuity?

Are you unhappy with the service that your freight forwarder provides?

Does your freight forwarder not have the specialist knowledge needed to handle your shipments?

If the answer to any of the above questions is ‘yes’, then it is time you looked to change your freight forwarder.  Having a freight forwarder that does not fit or understand your business can be very costly to you and your company.

Mercator Cargo is an independent freight forwarder based in the UK and has been running for over twenty years under the same managing family.

At Mercator we pride ourselves on excellent customer service.  If (and we mean IF) there was a problem with your shipment, we would endeavour to sort it for you, it is after all our job.  Remember we are working for you.

When you choose Mercator as your new freight forwarder you will be appointed a personal contact here in the office.  This experienced member of our team will handle all your shipments and be in contact with you personally about the movements of your goods.

Mercator is a founding partner of a global network of freight forwarders.  Our membership in this network means we have personal contacts in over 90 countries worldwide.  We regularly attend the network conferences which means we have built excellent working relationships with other forwarders globally.  This will benefit you as a customer because we can offer ‘to door’ shipments in almost every country and we have valuable local knowledge where ever your cargo goes.

Our freight forwarding team is long-standing and the majority are part of the managing family.  This is huge strength because it means our best interests for you as the customer are at the heart of what we do.  Each member of our team cares for the company and our customers.

Now that you know you’re looking for a new freight forwarder, why not give Mercator a call now to discuss what we can do for you and your business – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.

 

Request a Comparison Quote for Your International Shipments

Marco Polo Line (MPL), a global network of independent freight forwarders held its annual conference last week in Cape Town, South Africa.  Mercator Cargo is a founding partner of the network, and this year our representatives were Paul (our MD).

There were just over ninety freight forwarders from across the world in attendance this year.  The annual conferences allow Mercator the opportunity to network with other freight forwarders that we work with on a regular basis.  This has great advantages to our service offerings globally, for example, if there were a problem at your cargo’s destination, we could call on our local freight forwarder there to resolve the issue.  Having contacts in most countries also means we have access to valuable local information, for example customs and document requirements.

We believe that being part of the global network MPL enhances our service we offer to our customers.  As an independent freight forwarder, we pride ourselves on providing a personal service to our clients no matter how large or small.

If you’re looking for an experienced freight forwarder to handle your shipments, whether they are imports or exports, then give us a call to discuss your requirements – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.

Mercator Cargo is an independent freight forwarder based in the UK.  We’ve been running for over twenty years and have offered air freight services since forming in 1991.

This year, Mercator Cargo has become a member of the international freight forwarder association IATA (International Air Transport Association).  This means that Mercator‘s freight forwarding team can deal with the airlines for air freight services direct.  This allows our air freight services to be more competitive, flexible and have a greater coverage of the globe.

We can now provide air freight services to more countries, at better rates and more frequently than before.  We cover both air freight imports and exports thanks to our founding membership of the international freight forwarder network MarcoPolo Line (MPL).

If you are looking for a freight forwarder that offers air freight services internationally, then give one of our freight forwarders a call today to discuss your air freight shipment and provide a quote – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.

 

Request a Quote for an Air Freight Shipment

Mercator Cargo celebrates its 22nd birthday this week.  Paul (our MD) set up the international freight forwarding provider in 1991 after fifteen years already in service in the international forwarding industry.

In 1991 Mercator was based in London and has since grown to a core team of five experienced freight forwarders plus admin staff.  The majority of the international freight forwarding team are family with personal interest in the businesses performance and customer care.  This is a great strength, as it makes our core ethos to ensure that the customer is happy.  We pride ourselves on excellent, personal service in the international freight forwarding industry.

Mercator has now been based in Portsmouth for 15 years with the wealth of international freight forwarding business support and experienced shipping personnel in the area.  Two of our experienced international freight forwarders are local to Portsmouth with previous years’ experience in shipping and logistics.

The international freight forwarding industry has changed over the past twenty years when faxes and telephones were the main communication tools, now Skype and emails.  Business advertising was in the international freight forwarding magazines, now it is online and website promotion.

Although Mercator has kept up with the times in many ways, we pride ourselves to be old fashioned in core business values – that is our main aims are customer care and satisfaction, we listen to what our customers’ needs are and provide a service to fit that.  Each of our freight forwarders in the office have a personal client list that they take care of, so if you were to choose us as your international freight forwarder, you would always be dealing with the same shipping expert.

If you are looking for an international freight forwarder provider for air, sea or road freight worldwide, then get in contact for a discussion of your requirements and a quotation – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.

 

Request a Quote for International Shipping

If you are searching for a freight forwarder to ship your goods to New York, then look no further.  Mercator Cargo is a well-established freight forwarder that has been in operation for over 20 years.  We have a small, but expert team to help you ship your goods to New York, USA.  We regularly ship customers’ goods to New York from the UK, so are well placed to handle your shipment.

There are a few options when it comes to shipping to New York from the UK.  The first decision to make is whether your goods should transit via sea or air.  The most obvious difference is, of course, the time scales.  For example a typical shipment time from UK to New York is around 7 to 10 days from Southampton or Felixstowe Docks.  Whereas an air shipment to New York from the UK takes a matter of hours.

If your load to be shipped to New York is particularly big (i.e. 20 foot or 40 foot container), and not very urgent, then you might consider a shipment via sea freight (as this generally will be a better priced option compared to air freight depending on cargo size).  However, if you have an urgent shipment, or a particularly small shipment (i.e. a light pallet), then air freight might be more favourable.

Once your goods arrive in New York, they will need to be cleared through customs, this is a service we can also offer, in partnership with our agents based in New York.  We can then arrange for your shipment to be delivered to its final destination in the USA.

If you have some goods to be shipped from the UK to New York contact us today to discuss your requirements and obtain a quotation – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.

 

Request a Quote for Shipping to New York

Using a freight forwarder to handle your import or export shipment might not be as costly as you think.

Firstly, freight forwarders have good contacts with various hauliers and shipping lines.  Freight forwarders understand their industry, and their suppliers.  Shopping around for the best price is standard practice here at Mercator Cargo, we obtain the best price for our customers.  Using a freight forwarder can have this advantage, if you consider a potential shipment, where would you start?  Would you ring around lots of suppliers to get the best price?  Would you know which supplier offers which route or service?  Mercator Cargo knows, and that’s why we are able to shop around for the most competitive price for you.

Would you know to ask suppliers if prices they gave you included this service, or that service?  A freight forwarder can help you in this aspect, the price given will be the price paid.  If you know your costs upfront, you can then work on your profit margins; how much do you need to sell this for to make a decent profit taking into account your shipping costs?

Finally, utilising a freight forwarder can prevent mistakes, thus saving money.  For example, if a document is not in the right place at the right time, your shipment may have to be held on quay, or in storage, which can be costly.  Putting your freight into trusting hands can alleviate this possibility of further costs incurred due to delays.

If you’re looking for a freight forwarder to take control of your shipping for you , then call us today to discuss your shipments – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.

 

Request a Quote for Freight Forwarding Services

Mercator Cargo has been running for over twenty years now and is still run and managed by the same founding family.  Mr Paul (our MD) has been in the industry for almost forty years, and our imports and exports team have extensive knowledge of the freight forwarding industry.

Mercator Cargo is an independent freight forwarder.  But what does this mean to you as the import or export customer?  Traditionally, independent freight forwarders have had the means and the advantage of offering their customers a high quality personal service.

An independent freight forwarding outfit has excellent capabilities of being flexible with their customers, and the ability to be agile and respond quickly to their customers’ need for convenience.  By having this valuable service, good rapport with customers, and formed links with other independent freight forwarders (via a global network), independent freight forwarders have the ability to offer just as comprehensive freight forwarding service, if not a better service than larger logistics companies.

The advantage of an independent freight forwarder being a part of a global network, is also something which can set apart one forwarder from another.  Mercator Cargo is a founding partner of the independent freight forwarder network Marco Polo Line.  The global network is made up of other independent freight forwarders from all around the world.  The advantage of being part of this network includes having personal contacts in almost every country in the world, local knowledge around the globe, ability to offer door-to-door services in most countries, and tried and tested worldwide partners.

Independent freight forwarders, such as Mercator Cargo, have traditional strengths of innovative and bespoke premium services, teamed with the added value of thorough knowledge of their clients businesses and service.

If you’re looking for a reliable service from an independent freight forwarder, then call us today to discuss your shipping needs – Tel. 02392 756 575. Email: sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk.

 

Request a Quote for Freight Forwarder Services