When shipping cargo overseas, you will have two options at your disposal. You can ship your merchandise via air or sea. Sea freight is usually the option that most companies will opt for. But there are times when you should use air freight services. Air cargo from USA to Saudi Arabia is the fastest and most convenient way to send something to such a distant location. But it will cost you much more than the sea freight option. That is why you should be using air freight only on special occasions.
Planning is the key
If you are in the international trading business, getting merchandise to your customers on time is one of the most important parts. When your shipment is late, it can cause many problems for the end-user. And those problems will eventually affect your business. That is why proper planning and communication is the best way to run such a business.
No matter whether you are the manufacturer or only a middleman. You need to know all the details concerning the manufacturing process. And you need to be aware of all possible delays. Of course, the best way to organize such a complicated business is to use an experienced freight forwarder in Dammam. They will organize your shipments, choose the best carrier, and, most importantly, handle the complicated paperwork.
In the case of a delay, notify everyone involved
Having a proper plan is one of the ways to avoid troubles. If you plan for delays in advance, you will know to react in the case of a delay. Of course, sometimes it is not possible to anticipate everything. And that is when the communication will be of much help. Track the manufacturing process and make sure that you are aware of possible problems before they become too big. Notify your customers, and try to make an agreement.
Use air freight services whenever you are late with the delivery
If you are an importer and distributor, many times you cannot influence the manufacturing process. Even with proper planning and communication, the manufacture could cause you problems. Especially if they are in a foreign country. You made an agreement concerning the dates of delivery, but the vendor simply disregarded it.
In that case, the final customer will ask you to pay the penalties for the delay that you didn’t cause. And could not prevent. They will want their goods to arrive as soon as possible. And your only solution, in that case, will be to use air freight services. Luckily, it can shorten the delivery time significantly. Sea cargo from Saudi Arabia to Canada, for example, will take at least a month to be accomplished. On the other hand, if you use air freight services, it will only take a few days to arrive.
Use air freight services and offer your customers an option of express delivery
Sometimes, you will receive an order for which you will only have a few days to deliver. In that case, air freight services are your only choice. Even though it is significantly more expensive, the added cost should be on the customer’s account. Some companies even offer this as a standard service. And the customer can choose between standard and express delivery. If they choose a standard delivery time, send your items via sea. If they ask and pay for an express delivery use air freight services.
Use air freight services if you want to simplify the process
Dealing with complicated paperwork and different customs around the world is one of the downfalls of sea freight. On the other hand, if you use air freight services you can simplify the process immensely. You will need to deal with only Riyadh customs clearance, for example, and you will have less paperwork to handle. Of course, with the help of experienced freight forwarders, everything will be easier. But your expenses will be much higher in that case.
Air freight requires special packaging solutions
If you decide to implement the air freight as one of the delivery options, you need to know that packaging requirements will be much different than when you send your goods on a cargo ship. Some items are even forbidden on a plane. If you think that this refers only to obviously dangerous items like chemicals and explosives, for example, you should know that the list of forbidden items is significantly longer. Of course, it mostly depends on the country. Nevertheless, here is the list of items that are forbidden to ship via plane in most countries.
List of items that are not allowed to be shipped by plane
- Agricultural items grown on farms like seeds, hay, corn
- Alcohol
- Animals and parts of animals
- Art and Antiquities
- Biohazards
- CBD and other derivative products of marijuana
- Cell Phones that use wireless technology to send and receive signals
- Chemicals
- Corrosive
- Counterfeit
- Drug Contraband
- The liquid used in the electronic cigarette and vaping devices
- ECCN Regulated
- Electric Bikes powered by lithium batteries
- Engines
- Explosives
- Fertilizers and Pesticides
- Firearms
- Flammable / Combustible items
- Flammable Nail Polish
- Devices used for gambling
- Hazardous Material & Dangerous Goods
- Ivory
- Jewelry
- Lead Acid Batteries
- Liquids
- Lithium Batteries
- Loose Lithium Batteries
- Loose Precious Stones
- Means of Payment
- Medical Devices
- Paint
- Perishable Food
- Plants
- Poison
- Political
- Pornography
- Prescription Drugs
- Pressurized Canisters
- Radioactive Material
- Soil
- Stamps
- Limited
- Tactical Equipment
- Tactical Knives
- Tobacco and Nicotine Products
- Weapons
Use air freight services only on special occasions
When the delivery is late, or your customer requires an express delivery use air freight services. It is an expensive option, and it requires a different kind of preparation. But it is good to know that you have it as an option.
