Firstly, let’s recap what a freight forwarder is. A freight forwarder handles cargo on behalf of importers and exporters. A freight forwarder arranges transportation on behalf of companies, via sea, air or road freight.
Freight forwarders work directly with companies that are importing or exporting. They act as the intermediary between these “shippers” and the providers of the transport (shipping lines, airlines, hauliers etc). Companies like Mercator handle international transportation by sea freight, air freight and road freight. A freight forwarder may also have the ability to handle customs clearances in their own country (like Mercator handles UK customs clearances).
A freight forwarder is like an outsourced department working in conjunction with your business to handle your import and export shipping for you.
If you are looking for a new freight forwarder to help with your shipping, whether it is UK exports or UK imports, 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.
The MarcoPoloLine conference in Toronto, Canada was a successful event for UK based freight forwarder, Mercator. As founding members of the freight forwarding network, we have been in attendance for all 14 conferences since 2008, and this was the biggest event yet with over 200 attendees from across the globe.
Mark represented Mercator this year and conducted meetings with members from across the globe including South Korea, USA, New Zealand, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Poland, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Canada and Chile.
These events offer a great opportunity to meet the people that we deal with regularly in business, sometimes on a daily basis. It allows our team to form bonds with freight forwarders from all over the world, making our contacts more like work colleagues and friends.
Mercator’s relationships with other freight forwarders around the world allows us to offer our customers more comprehensive shipping services, whether it is a requirement for an EXW shipment for import into the UK, or a DAP export shipment out of the UK. Our connections benefit our customers, allowing just one point of contact here in the UK and a seamless service no matter where in the world your cargo is.
You can contact our team on (+44) 02392 756 575, email sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk or complete the form below and someone will be in touch.
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.
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.
If you are new to importing or exporting from the UK, you may be wondering what a freight forwarder does, what their role with your company should be, what they can offer, and what the responsibilities of the importer/exporter (i.e. you) versus the freight forwarder are.
To cut the jargon, the freight forwarder (the person or company that you appoint to handle your shipment) will do just that – they will handle your shipment for you. Freight forwarders oversee the worldwide movement of goods from country to country, and can offer services such as packing, documentation and customs clearance on behalf of exporters and importers.
Your freight forwarder should be able to offer any kind of level of service you require. For example, if you are completely new to importing and exporting your goods, you may wish your freight forwarder to arrange all aspects of your shipment. This might include a door-to-door delivery (i.e. arrange the collection of goods, and delivery of goods to the door for your chosen destination), insurance, customs clearance, and all services required to deliver goods from one country to the next. However, you may decide that you only wish for a delivery from door to port, or from port to door, and so on. Mercator can offer either a fully comprehensive freight forwarding service, or arrange smaller aspects of your shipment.
So what kind of role do you wish your freight forwarder to have with your company? Again, this entirely depends on your needs and the needs of your business. If you are a first time importer, or exporter, you may wish to make initial contact with your freight forwarder before committing to any international trade with other companies. Mercator Cargo can offer you advice on buying terms from abroad, provide quotes for exports from the UK so you can inform your buyers, and also advise what you can or cannot import from country to country. Our experienced team of freight forwarders can offer as much “hand holding” as you require.
What are your responsibilities, and what are our responsibilities? In a nut shell, our responsibilities are to get your goods to its destination for you as instructed, to inform you every step of the way of your shipment, and to provide reliable advice relating to your shipment. Your responsibilities as an importer or exporter vary from shipment to shipment. You are required to declare your goods accurately (i.e. if a declaration is made on your behalf as instructed, and it is not accurate, you are liable for this, not the freight forwarder), therefore it is essential you advise your freight forwarder of the accurate nature of your goods.
If you think that you might need the services of a freight forwarder, then give us a call, we will be happy to discuss your freight forwarding needs with you – Tel. 02392 756 575. 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
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.
If you are looking for a freight forwarder to handle your import of curry paste into the UK, then look no further. As an experienced freight forwarder, Mercator has handled all kinds of cargo, including curry pastes as imports into the UK.
It is a wise decision to appoint a freight forwarder to handle your curry paste import, as it can be a complex matter.
It is important to check that the products you wish to import are allowed to enter the country, and to find out whether there are any restrictions or any particular documentation is required to import the curry paste into the UK. Before you purchase any goods, it is advised that you obtain a copy of full ingredients per product. If you choose us as your freight forwarder, you can then send the ingredients lists of the curry pastes to us, which we will get checked by UK Port Health. UK Port Health will be able to advise of any restrictions or additional documentation required based on the ingredients.
If you are considering shipping a less than container load (or LCL) via sea freight it can be complex, as there are restrictions as to what the curry pastes can share a container with, however it is possible. On the other hand, if you are looking to import a smaller load, air freight might be your chosen method of transportation.
So if you are looking to import curry pastes into the UK, using an experienced, UK based freight forwarder, then give us a call – 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.
