Blair, our logistics expert of Senghor Logistics, handled a bulk shipment from Shenzhen to Auckland, New Zealand Port last week, which was an inquiry from our domestic supplier customer. This shipment is extraordinary: it is huge, with the longest size reaching 6m. From inquiry till transportation, it took 2 weeks to confirm the size and packaging issues. There were many attempts, communications, and discussions on how to deal with packaging.
Blair believes that this shipment is the most classic case of over-length shipments she has encountered. Can't help but want to share it. So, how to solve such a complicated shipment in the end? Let’s look at the following:
Product: Supermarket shelves.
Features: Different lengths, different sizes, long and thin strips.
The bulk packaging size is like this. The gross weight of a single piece is not very heavy, but there are two products that are very long, 6m and 2.7m respectively, and there are also some scattered parts.
Problems facing shipments: If using fumigation-free wooden boxes according to warehouse requirements, the cost of long and large special wooden boxes like this will be very expensive (approximately US$275-420), but the customer has to consider the initial quotation and budget. This cost was not budgeted at the time, so it would be lost in vain.
This is the packing list of the bulk cargo shipment from China to New Zealand
When the customer's factory used to load containers, they always load the products in the containers as shown in the picture above before Senghor Logistics handled.
Generally, more of this kind of goods are shipped in full containers (FCL). In the past, when the customer's factory was loading containers, the shelves products were bundled into bundles as shown in the picture above. The single pieces were bundled with film, and the bottom was simply supported with two feet as forklift holes. The forklift first forked it into the container horizontally, and then manually held it. Use the forklift to load it into the container.
Difficulties:
For this bulk cargo shipment, the customer also hoped that the bulk cargo warehouse could cooperate with this kind of loading. But the answer was of course no.
Bulk cargo warehouses have strict operating requirements:
1. Needless to say, it is dangerous to load containers in this way.
2. At the same time, such operations are also very difficult, and warehouses are also worried that it will damage the goods. Because bulk cargo is a variety of goods put together, the warehouse cannot guarantee the safety of such simple and naked packaging.
3. In addition, we must also consider the problem of unpacking at the destination. After shipping from China to New Zealand, the local workers will still face such problems.
First Solution:
Then we thought, although the individual pieces of these goods are relatively long, they are not heavy individually. Can they be packed directly in bulk and loaded into containers one by one? In the end, it was rejected by the warehouse because of the above reasons. The safety of the goods cannot be guaranteed even if they are packed naked and in bulk.
And when it was shipped from China to New Zealand, the destination port warehouses are all operated by forklifts. Foreign warehouses have high labor costs and few people, so it is impossible to move them one by one.
In the end, based on warehouse requirements and cost considerations, the customer decided to ship the goods on pallets. But the first time the factory gave me a photo of the pallet, it was like this:
As a result, of course it didn’t work. The warehouse’s response is as follows:
(At present, the packaging exceeds the pallet too much, the goods are easily tilted, and the straps are easy to break. The current packaging cannot be collected by Pinghu warehouse. We recommend to process the pallet as long as the goods, and secure it with straps to ensure that the packaging is strong, and the forklift feet are stable and good; or it can be processed into a sealed wooden frame, and the packaging is strong, leaving the forklift feet for work.)
After feedback to the customer, the customer also confirmed with the manufacturer that specializes in customizing pallets. A single pallet cannot be customized for that long. Generally, customized pallets are about 1.5m long at most.
Second Solution:
Later, after discussing with our colleagues, Blair came up with a solution. Is it possible to put a pallet at both ends of the goods so that two forklifts can load them together when loading into the container? This ensures that the forklift can operate and saves costs. After communicating with the warehouse, we finally saw some hope.
(2.8m long, with a pallet on each side. This is equivalent to a long pallet of 3m and there should be no gaps between the pallets. This ensures that the packaging is firm and strong, the top can hold the goods, the straps are firm, and the forklift legs are stable. Then it can be collected. However the final packaging drawing evaluation must be provided.
Another one is 6m long, with a pallet at both ends. The gap between the middle pallets is too large. We recommend to process a pallet as long as the goods or a sealed wooden frame.)
Finally, based on the feedback from the above warehouse, the customer decided:
For the 6m long goods, we can only pack a fumigation-free wooden box; for the 2.7m long goods, we need to customize two 1.5M long pallets, so the final packaging size is like this:
After packaging, Blair sent it to the warehouse for review. The response was that it still required on-site evaluation, but fortunately, the final evaluation passed and it was successfully put into the warehouse.
The customer also saved a fumigation wooden box cost, at least more than 100 US dollars. And customers said that our planning, handling and communication of cargo transportation and consolidating freight made them see the professionalism of Senghor Logistics, and they will continue to inquire with us for subsequent orders.
Suggestions:
This case is shared here, but regarding the shipment of oversized or overlength goods, here are the following suggestions:
(1) We recommend that when making a shipping cost budget, the cost of palletizing or fumigation-free wooden boxes must be budgeted to avoid subsequent losses caused by insufficient budget.
(2) Ensure that all materials of the supplier’s goods must be new and must not be moldy, moth-eaten, or very old. In particular, Australia and New Zealand have very strict fumigation requirements. The fumigation certificate must be issued by the Customs of the People's Republic of China, and a fumigation certificate is required for customs clearance.
(3) For oversized goods, difficult handling surcharges for oversized products may also be incurred at home and abroad. Also remember to make a budget. Each warehouse has different charging standards in China and your country. We recommend inquiring freight solutions individually.
Senghor Logistics not only serves the import business of overseas customers, but also has deep cooperative relationships with domestic foreign trade suppliers and factories.
We have been deeply involved in the freight industry for more than ten years, and we have multiple channels and solutions for quoting an inquiry.
Moreover, we have rich experience in container consolidation, so that bulk cargo customers can also ship goods with confidence.
Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, America, Canada, Southeast Asian countries are our advantageous markets. We have very clear shipping details for all aspects of sea freight and air freight. At the same time, the prices are transparent and the service quality is good. What's more, our services save you money.
If you need freight services from China to New Zealand, you are welcome to consult us!
Post time: Oct-23-2023
