Freight forwarding by industry
A pallet of brake discs and a pallet of T-shirts both fit in a container, and that is about all they have in common. Here is what we watch for with each type of cargo.
What is particular about your cargo
Most of our shipments run from China, India and Pakistan to Hamburg, and from Germany to the rest of the world.
Automotive and industrial parts
Dense, heavy freight that reaches a container’s weight limit long before it is full. Deliveries are tied to production schedules, so a late part can stop a line and may have to fly.
Automotive and industrial parts logisticsE-commerce and retail
Many SKUs (stock keeping units) in one shipment, each carton labelled to the fulfilment centre’s rules. Deliveries are booked by appointment, and stock that misses the peak season is hard to sell.
E-commerce and retail freightTextiles and apparel
Light, bulky cartons, so space matters more than weight and air freight is charged on volume. Duty rates on clothing are comparatively high, which makes a valid proof of origin from countries with EU preferences worth real money.
Machinery and equipment
Single heavy pieces that need lifting points, a known centre of gravity and proper lashing. Anything too tall or wide for a standard container goes on a flat rack or open-top container, and we need exact dimensions before quoting.
Consumer electronics
High value in a small space, so packing, insurance and discreet marking count. Products with lithium batteries are dangerous goods in air and sea transport and need the right declaration and test summary from the manufacturer.
Food and consumer goods (non-perishable)
Shelf-stable food can be subject to import controls and must meet EU labelling rules, and shelf life keeps running during a sea voyage. Moisture is the usual enemy, so desiccants and sound pallets matter.
What stays the same for every industry
Documents right the first time
Most delays we see start with paperwork. The commercial invoice and packing list have to agree, the goods description has to be specific enough to classify, and the commodity code has to be settled before the cargo leaves. We check your documents before departure, while a correction is still a quick email to the supplier.
Realistic lead times
Sea freight from Asia to Hamburg typically takes several weeks port to port, and you need to add time for pick-up, export formalities, customs clearance in Germany and final delivery. We give you the range we expect and tell you what could stretch it, such as port congestion or a customs inspection. We don’t quote the fastest case as if it were normal.
One contact
You deal with one named person who knows your shipments, your products and your suppliers. When you ask where a container is, you get an answer from someone who already knows which container you mean.
If your goods are not on this list, ask anyway. The services behind every shipment are the same: sea freight, air freight, road freight and warehousing in Germany.
Tell us what you ship
Describe the goods, the route and the volume. We reply within 24 business hours with an itemised quote.
Request a quote