Saddleworth company offers advice to local businesses as government wants to see boost in UK exports
Insped Vehicle
A Saddleworth based specialist freight company is offering advice to local businesses wanting to import and export more goods.
In the recent 2014 budget the government said it wanted UK exports to reach £1 trillion by 2020, and for 100,000 more UK companies to be exporting by 2020.
Lord Livingston, UK Trade Minister, said: “The government is working hard to help UK companies boost their exports.”
The Economy is finally starting to grow and the green-shoots are definitely there. George Osborne’s commitment to Exports is encouraging but does it go far enough, particularly when it comes down to assisting companies with actually physically exporting the goods?
Insped Ltd, based in Delph, has over seventeen years’ experience within the Logistics Sector and we are the Road-Freight specialists in the Iberian and Italian Export markets. Other road-freight markets include Germany and we have witnessed a notable increases in Exports destined for France.
However in the past seventeen years, the world has become a much smaller place and selling your products to buyers in far-flung places such as Argentina and New Zealand is now very much a reality. We never ceased to be amazed at what our customers export and to what destinations it goes to.
With this in mind, Insped has developed Deep Sea and Air Freight departments and we can offer new and existing customers a full portfolio of export services and advice. We are part of the OTS (Overseas Transport System) network and have representation in approximately eighty countries.
Managing director, Richard Bartlett said: “If we don’t know the answer, then you can bet that one of our offices somewhere in the world will.
“As a Freight-Forwarder, Insped is there to assist customers with Exporting and Importing their goods. We often speak with people and potential new customers, who have the product and have secured the overseas buyers but do not know where to begin when it comes to Exporting their goods. This is where we come in and can ‘hand-hold’ businesses every step of the way to ensure that a smooth and efficient process ‘door-to-door.
“Insped has put together a Top Ten Tips for Exporting and Importing. The first five are outlined below with the second five following in a future story.”
Lauren Bartlett of Insped Ltd, gave the following tips:
1) Use a Reputable Freight-Forwarder
Obviously we are going to recommend Insped Ltd! However, in our opinion, a Freight-Forwarder should ideally be a member of BIFA (British International Freight Association) and RHA (Road Haulage Association) These are key bodies that keep UK Freight-Forwarders up to date with Transport and Legislative issues.
As you would expect from a reputable Freight-Forwarder, Insped is a member of both BIFA and RHA and we will on occasion turn to them for advice, training and support.
2) Understand Incoterms
Incoterms are a series of pre-defined commercial terms that are used throughout the world for International Transactions.
A separate document has been produced by Insped detailing each Incoterm and the onus that it places both on Sellers and Purchasers.
3) Understand the different between volumetric weight versus taxable weight
The example that we always give is to think about exporting a tonne of lead and a tonne of teddy bears. Both weigh the same but both taking up completely different spaces on a trailer, container or the cargo hold on a plane.
If the volume is greater than the weight (tonne of teddy bears), you will be charged on volume, i.e.; you will be charged for the space that your product takes up. If the weight is greater than the volume (tonne of lead), you will be charged on the taxable weight.
4) Get any quotes/prices in writing.
Ask the question, is this an all in price or are there add-ons? This is particularly relevant if goods are going via Air or Sea (CAF and BAF). Hazardous (ADR, IMDG & IATA) goods will usually have a surcharge and there may well be a fuel surcharge.
5) Always remember that the Logistic Company is often the only physical representation of your company, alongside your product, to your customer.
Lauren said: “You may have spent lots of money, time and effort selling your product to your customer but people do not consider the effect an untidy driver, vehicle, the incorrect paperwork or indeed the lack of paperwork has on your customer. May I draw your attention back to Point 1!”
“We whole heartedly support any initiatives that support both British Manufacturing and Exports. We are more than happy to assist with any queries that existing and potential exporters have.”
You can contact the Insped team on 01274 670066 to discuss your requirements or email richard.bartlett@insped.co.uk
They also have their own Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages too: Insped Ltd and @InspedBradford.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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