Freight forwarding can be a complex term for those who are new in the business or have been selling their goods locally. At Cubic, we are working to make things easy for you and help you grow your business guiding you at every single step.
Here, is a list of few things which may help if you are unfamiliar with moving freight.
Shipping and Freight Terminology
Freight carried by sea non-containerised. Not bulk commodities like grain, coal etc.
The person or company receiving the goods at the destination.
The person or company sending the goods.
Usually a standard 20 foot (20’) or 40 foot (40’) unit, but there are some unusual variations.
The volume of the consignment, calculated by multiplying the length by the width and by the height. 2m long x 1m wide x 1m high = 2m3.
Empty 20’ or 40’ container.
Full container load. A full 20’ or 40’ container.
The weight of the goods plus the tare weight of the container.
A crane truck often used for delivering goods to sites that are difficult to access.
Less than a container load. Often palletised or loose freight.
The weight of the goods being packed into a container.
Household goods being relocated.
The price per unit. This could be a price per container or in some cases a price per tonne, per cubic metre, or per revenue tonne (RT).
Roll on roll off. This relates to wheeled or tracked vehicles and machinery transported on special ships with ramps and vehicle decks.
Revenue tonne. The greater of the tonnes or cubic metres.
A side loading truck used for picking up and delivering containers.
The empty weight of a container, on the door of the container.
20’ equivalent unit. One 20’ = 1 TEU. One 40’ = 2 TEU.
See cubic metres
Freight Packaging
Get acquainted with different forms of packaging. It comes in many different forms, from simple cardboard boxes to wrapped pallets, or a large wooden crate to bundles with steel strapping. Ensure you package your goods in a right form to suit the consignment, and label it to communicate everything that is important to the consignee.
Hidden Costs
Always select a freight provider after a careful consideration. Do not compromise on the quality when choosing a forwarder. The cheapest options do not always offer value for money and you may run the risk of overpaying them by means of hidden costs. This may include cargo lost in transit or extra handling charges.