Tips on setting up an efficient shipping strategy

With over three decades of experience in trucking and warehousing, Sandhar Trucking has a list of tips to help you set up an efficient shipping strategy before you start. Saving time and money has never been easier.

Starting a new business and the excitement and energy that is part of the initial journey may be overwhelming. Your dream is coming true, but you’re still testing out the water and finding what works best for your business. The learning curve can be steep and taking detours can be costly. Whether you’re just starting to plan your shipping strategy or tweaking your current flow, we’ve got some tips to save you time and money.

1. Packaging

Proper packaging is a crucial part of your shipping strategy. It’s the beginning, the end, and the main line of defense for your precious cargo. Whether you’re shipping pallets or a handful of boxes, packaging shouldn’t be taken lightly and proper techniques can prevent costly mistakes. From preparing a pallet and making sure everything is flushed and secured to the kinds of materials you use to pack your goods, it is a good idea to thoroughly understand the ins and outs of how to best pack your shipment.

2. Having the Right Information and Paperwork

Having correct and sufficient information and all the required paperwork is key to keeping your shipment moving smoothly through the different stages of transport. 

The Bill of Lading (BOL, BL, B/L) is a crucial shipping document between the transportation company and the shipper and should be filled out diligently. It is given to the carrier at the time of freight pick up and contains all the necessary information for the shipment including product description, the size, the weight, the origin, the destination, special handling instructions, any additional services or accessories, and much more.

If you will be importing/exporting, having the following ready will save you a fair amount of stress and unnecessary costs.

• Business Number (BN) issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for an import/export account
• Identification info for the goods you’re importing (detailed factual and product composition information and if possible product samples)
• Import/export number in addition to your regular business number
• Permits or licenses that your product may be required to obtain
• Knowing whether your products need to follow certain CBSA requirements
• Calculate relevant duties/tariffs

3. Staying on Top of Market Conditions

The last few years have taught us a lot about changes and being able to adapt. Whether it’s shutdowns and back-ups from the pandemic or the Suez Canal Blockage, businesses around the globe have learned to pivot and act at a moment’s notice. Navigating the highs and lows of the shipping seasons has taken on a whole new level of finesse. 

As a business owner, you can do your own research and come up with strategies, but is that the best use of your time? Having strong and experienced shipping partners on your team will let you do what you do best, which is focus on your business. Leave the transport puzzle with the LTL/FTL trucking companies, freight forwarders, and customs brokers. A little bit of investment here will go a long way in saving you time and money in the long run.

4. Finding the BEST Shipping Solutions for Your Needs

From finding the type of trucking transport (Less than truckload (LTL)/Full Truckload (FTL)) to choosing the best bonded sufferance warehouse, you’ll want to have a trucking company that puts you first. As your business grows, your needs will change and having experts not only recommend services that fit your current needs but prevent problems before they occur are key. 

Hiring a company that provides a comprehensive transport solution will also save you stress from having to communicate with multiple partners. A one-stop shop providing access to all ports and rails, FTL/LTL shipping, and a bonded sufferance warehouse is definitely a game changer.

With over three decades of experience in the trucking and warehousing industry, our team at Sandhar Trucking is well-versed with the current logistic landscape in both Canada and globally. We also have a list of reliable and professional partners that we highly recommend. From LTL/FTL services in BC, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec to bonded sufferance warehousing in Vancouver, we are here to help you with your logistics needs. Contact us today at (604)-276-9044 or info@sandhartrucking.com to learn more.