Outsourcing Fulfillment Solutions is a good option for many companies especially startups who might be strapped for cash o lack the experience. It is also a fast and efficient way to introduce their products to the market without having to wait to build the infrastructure needed for fulfillment.

There are so many new products being introduced to the market mostly by small businesses who have launched their new website, promoted it and are looking forward to a bunch of orders coming in. They depend on e-fulfillment to success.

A large portion of these companies outsource their fulfillment solutions to Amazon because they get the exposure they need, achieve a better ranking for their website and get access to cheap shipping rates. Due to the rising cost of Fulfillment by Amazon, the numerous mistakes made by Amazon fulfillment centers ranging from double shipment to inaccurate counts and of course unfair practices by Amazon where they can take away your brand because it is successful, many companies are looking for other  Fulfillment centers to handle their business.  Most of these companies still do business with Amazon just for the exposure but sell the majority of their items using other channels.

Why Outsource Fulfillment Solutions

1. Cost Reduction:  If you have to have your own operation, warehouse, employees and equipment, you are looking at a large investment that you might not be able to afford.  It might be a good idea to use the services of a Fulfillment Company.
2. Lack of Experience: Leave it to the pros. Learn from them and if it is economically feasible, you can do your own fulfillment.
3. Tap into cheaper shipping rates: most 3pl companies  have access to multiple shipping companies and the huge discounts that come with it.

Over the last 15 years many companies, even with huge capital behind them, used third party logistics companies to handle their fulfillment needs.

International 3PL has been handling fulfillment for small and large companies.  It is what we do.

For a rate request please contact us at: 305-800-7447 or click on our Fulfillment Questionnaire.

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3Pl Companies in Miami

Contract Logistics Companies

Shipping Companies in Miami

Artificial Intelligence has made it into our lives a while back and continues to make an impact. From playing chess against a computer to Siri, Alexa and detecting cancer cells, A.I. is here to stay.

The logistics industry is beginning to invest in A.I. heavily starting with the shipping companies such as Maersk and CMA. Soon we will be able to see more efficient shipments at a lesser cost.

To those of you who watch futuristic movies, rest assured the Artificial Intelligence will not take over the world, we will not be ruled by robots.

Artificial Intelligence is about machine learning and learning (input) requires processing power. There just isn’t enough processing power in the world to match the power of the human brain. To clarify further it took 90,000 processers 1 hour to process what 1/100 of the brain to process in 1 second. You do that math.

When it comes to logistics, Artificial Intelligence is lagging behind other fields. Ocean Shipping Companies, are developing software to better track Ocean Freight shipments minute by minute.

In the next 5-10 years, we might be able to see driverless trucks making deliveries, robots in the warehouse will be able to determine which box to use for a specific item. The shipping software will automatically decide on the best shipping method at the least cost depending on the variables presented.

Tech giants, like Amazon, have been using Artificial Intelligence to determine which location an item should be shipped from to minimize the cost and expedite the shipment, Omnichannel Fulfillment.

Efficiency of the supply chain will continue to improve with the implementation of A.I.

Will Artificial Intelligence Replace us?

You need to understand that as long as A.I. lacks consciousness, human interventions will always be needed.  Our input will guide A.I.  so, for you dreamers out there, please come back to reality and for those of you afraid of technology, do not worry, robots will not make us obsolete simply because there is no power more dominating than the human brain. Just ask Microsoft about the failed Tay experiment. A.I. has to be able to perceive and act.

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A.I. and 3PL

A.I. and freight Forwarding

A historic trade pact has been reached between the European Union and Four South American Countries, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. The trade pact that was signed on Friday, June 28th, 2019 would create a trade block of 780 million people representing a quarter of the world’s economy.

In the midst of international tensions, this trade pact comes in as a victory for EU leaders who have been defending free trade and a win for the government of South America’s 2 most closed markets, Brazil and Argentina.

Impact of Trade Pact

This pact will merge 2 blocks with a total of over 20 trillion dollars of economic output. The deal will create huge opportunities for exporters in the EU. This will help struggling economies in the EU such as Greece.

With this deal, the EU beat its international rivals in securing access to the Latin American Markets. This pact will help spur economic growth in South American Countries.

Brazil and Argentina are in mining and agricultural commodities, beef and dairy products.

This pact is supported by Spain, Portugal and free trade champions however; some countries such as France and Belgium have voiced concerns about the deal. France is concerned about compliance with the Paris climate change agreement.

Some EU farming countries are worried about the impact to their Farming and Agricultural industries.

This pact will also help other types of businesses flourish on both side of the Atlantic. Once of the businesses that would see large increase in volume is the shipping industry. Shipping Companies in Europe will, no doubt benefit from such an Agreement.

International 3PL, with its offices on both sides of the Atlantic, are preparing to meet the demand of the expected growth.

Resources:

Shipping to South America

Shipping from Europe to South America

Contract Logistics Companies in Europe

Having an import compliance program is key to the success of any business. Here is why

A trade compliance program lays the groundwork for how you need to behave and ensures you are meeting your legal obligations with Customs and other government agencies.

Not having a compliance program in place increases your exposure to penalties. An established compliance program goes a long way towards mitigating any penalties you do receive

A compliance program will also save your company money. You heard it right here.  Save. You. Money. It will help you avoid audits, penalties, and border delays.

If your organization classifies all imported goods, declares their correct value, HS Code, appropriate duties and complying with all other import regulations. Non-compliance may result in seizure or loss of goods, robust fines and other penalties. Implementing an Import Compliance program serves as a precautionary defense against audits from the Customs and Boarders Protection (CBP).

If you do have one in place, make sure it is reviewed by an expert.  If you work with a Customs broker, they could be a great resource for this type of consulting. You’re even able to find companies that will do an assessment of your program and advise you on whether you need further help. International 3PL offers Import or Export Compliance Appraisal services.

Import Compliance Services

• Country of Origin Determination
• Drawback Management
• Duty Optimization
• Entry Verification
• FTA Management
• Global Classification
• Global Trade Content
• Government Connectivity
• Importer Security Filing (ISF) or 10+2
• Landed Cost Management

International 3PL will analyze your current import compliance procedures, assess how well your organization complies with current import regulations and present a plan to address any compliance gaps and risks. Once formal import compliance policies are established, we create operational procedures based on your company business model, operations, philosophies and strategies. We provide recommendations for improvements to your current operations and develop an import training program that you can utilize with your internal and external customers. 

Contact us if you’d like more information or just need a kind ear to listen to your trade compliance worries.

MSDS are documents, normally many pages long, that travel with or ahead of hazardous chemical shipments, warning users of the specific dangers of such products and guidance on their safe handling, storage and disposal. Evaluating chemical hazards and producing MSDSs and labels for downstream users are two of the key responsibilities chemical manufacturers and distributors have under the HCS.

If you are involved in international trade, you probably are looking for an international logistics solutions provider. Shipping a product overseas as part of a commercial transaction, the exporter must be aware of packing, labeling, documentation, and insurance requirements.

Many importers rely on an international freight forwarder to perform these services. Some companies require more than just transportation, that is why they employ the services of an International logistics Service provider to help streamline the process.

International Logistics Solutions is:

That part of the supply chain involved with the planning, implementing and controlling of the efficient, effective flow and storage of goods, services, and related information from point of origin to point of consumption for the purpose of conforming to customer requirements.

Your International Trading Partners are Closer Than You Think with 7PL Logistics.

7Pl Logistics is an international logistics provider with customers ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses. We pride ourselves on delivering completely end to end logistics solutions no matter the industry.

Our approach to Logistics Solutions

• Logistics Cost Control through dynamic shipment routing, premium freight management, and market competitive rates.
• Accountability managing effective network design, including carrier and supplier compliance with root cause and corrective actions.
• Visibility via web based solution to your global shipments, including dashboard reporting.
• Flexibility with our forwarder neutral model. We match the best service provider for your needs to match capacity with capability.
• Cost Savings with the implementation of lean tools to your fulfillment stream to reduce waste.
• Accountability managing effective network design, including carrier and supplier compliance with root cause and corrective actions.
• Visibility via web based solution to your global shipments, including dashboard reporting.
• Flexibility with our forwarder neutral model. We match the best service provider for your needs to match capacity with capability.
• Cost Savings with the implementation of lean tools to your fulfillment stream to reduce waste.

The number of businesses opening their doors to the global market is steadily increasing and customers now expect to have access to products no matter where they come from. Expectations have grown high and they are more likely to buy from merchants who offer shipping options that balance speed and cost.

Anyone wishing to import goods into the United States or engage in import related operations is required to required to have an import bond. That is why posting of the bond protects the Customs revenue and ensures compliance with the regulations of the United States pertaining to importing and related activities.
Cash may be posted in the form of U.S. currency, U.S. Treasury notes or Treasury bonds and will be held by Customs until Customs determines the security is no longer required.

This could be for several years. In most cases, the best alternative is the posting of a U.S. Customs Bond (CBP bond). The CBP bond is a multi-purpose document used for a range of activities from importing or operating a bonded warehouse to serving as a bonded truck or operating an international shipping fleet or airline.

The CBP bond can be used to cover importing activities on a single transaction or continuous basis. When the CBP bond is completed for single transactions, it covers only one transaction. When the CBP bond is executed as a continuous bond, it will normally cover all transactions by the principal while the bond is valid.

If you are importing merchandise into the U.S. for commercial purposes that are valued over $2,500, or a commodity subject to other federal agencies requirements (i.e. firearms or food), you must post a Customs bond

What is a Customs import bond ?

A Customs bond is a financial guaranty between 3 parties: the Insurance/Surety company issuing the Customs bond, the Principal (who is required to file the bond), and Customs & Border Protection (CBP).

The Customs bond guarantees Customs & Border Protection that if they cannot collect monies due from the Principal they can seek remedy, up to the bond amount, from the Insurance/Surety company. The Customs bond also indemnifies the Insurance/ Surety company, allowing them to use any legal means to collect from the Principal any monies that were paid to CBP on the Principal’s behalf.

Types of Customs bonds

There are many types of bonds required by Customs & Border Protection (CBP) for various reasons. The import bond is required by CBP from all importers in order to clear entries through Customs. An importer may file a “Single Entry” import bond or a “Continuous” import bond.

Most of the time, Your Freight Forwarder can help you acquire your customs bond. Most noteworthy is that a 3PL Company can assist you in customs compliance issues.

Finally, it is important to get educated when it comes to customs regulations.

http://www.maxvisits.com

What is the true Definition of A Third Party Logistics Provider?

According to Wikipedia:  A third party logistics provider (abbreviated 3PL, or sometimes TPL) is a firm that provides service to its customers of outsourced (or “Third Party”) logistics services for part, or all of their supply chain management functions. Third party logistics providers typically specialize in integrated operation, warehousing and transportation services that can be scaled and customized to customers’ needs based on market conditions, such as the demands and delivery service requirements for their products and materials.
Often, these services go beyond logistics and include value-added services related to the production or procurement of goods, i.e., services that integrate parts of the supply chain. When this integration occurs, the provider is then called a third-party supply chain management provider (3PSCM) or supply chain management service provider (SCMSP).
3PL targets a particular function in supply management, such as warehousing, transportation, or raw material provision.

A standard definition of just what a third party logistics provider is can vary from contract to contract. Is everyone who thinks they are engaged in a “third-party contract” really involved in a “third-party contract?”
If a distributor, for example, has a truck pull up to their door a few times a day or week to deliver goods to their customers, is this truck their 3PL provider? The answer is NO.

The definition of a third party logistics provider is as confusing as the term supply chain. Even logistics professional struggle with the term. Many companies refer to trucking, ocean freight services or warehousing as 3PL Services.
Warehousing, transportation and storage by itself is not considered 3PL Services and the company that warehouses and transports the goods is not necessarily a 3pl provider. It is just a warehouse or a transport company.

Many companies require a transport company to deliver the gods from point A to Point B since it does not make sense in some cases to own your own trucks. These transport companies might not be 3PL providers. If that transport company is involved in the warehousing and distribution of the product then it can be called  third party logistics provider.

Many freight forwarding companies and shipping companies have added services to become 3PL Companies. For example, large freight forwarders will ship your container, handle the necessary customs paper work, deliver the container to their warehouse and distribute the product to end users.

Keep in mind that 3PL companies outsource some of the services to other 3PL companies, for example a customs broker who wants a piece of the action outsources warehousing and distribution to other companies while they appear as the provider of these services.

Is it a wise decision to outsource all these functions to one 3PL Company?

The answer is : it all depends on the end result. in some cases, the 3PL provider is unable to give provide the best transportation rates including ocean or inland therefore, a company my opt to use another 3PL provider. This has given rise to 4PL Companies that will manage the other 3PL companies making sure that the customer gets the best service and the best rates possible.

What is a 7PL Company ?

7PL is still considered a concept. Some 4PL companies offer back office support such as accounting, customer service, billing and receivables management. This concept is called by some 7PL Services. This concept is becoming a reality very quickly.

In a nut shell, the number of companies calling themselves 3PL providers has risen but the reality is that most of them do not offer the true services a 3PL is supposed to provide. As mentioned earlier providing these services without integration.

Whether it is a third party logistics provider, a fourth party logistics provider or a 7PL Provider, the bottom line is which one will be able to offer end to end solutions.

7PL is the natural Evolution of 3 PL and 4 PL.

What is a 3 PL

3PL + 4PL= 7PL. The need for an outside logistics provider triggered the evolution of 3PL services which has been the most dominant and arguably the largest market in the world. 3PLs offered great advantages to the companies in terms of

• Economies of scale (merits from large truck fleets, warehouses, etc.)
• Access to world class processes and technologies
• Access to the resources not available in-house
• Risk sharing
• Adaptability to business changes

With all these advantages companies had better focus on their core competencies. However competition further intensified when they had all the time to focus on better competing.

What is 4PL

When competition intensified, globalization reached the peak and world looked so flat that the services provided by 3PLs seemed just not enough. This created an opportunity for the rise of 4PLs, a non asset based service provider assists companies by integrating resources, capabilities and technology of its own and coordinate with various 3PLs (Transportation, warehousing, air freight, shipping, customs clearing etc) along with load planning, tracking, shipment consolidating, carrier performance management, billing and payments etc. 4PL provides a comprehensive supply chain solution in package that in turn helps companies manage complexity and time as well.

While companies thrive for better results in the bottom line and more value and better impact on the entire supply chain, a new concept is taking birth & it’s called 7PL!

What is 7PL

Its 3PL+4PL=7PL. Yes it is the combination of 3PLs with 4PL i.e. one service provider can provide a client with both 3PL and the services of 4PL. 7PL overseas the entire logistics system, where all the services are provided under one roof. This gives customers an easy way to deal with 7PL under one contract, one bill and single point of contact to manage entire logistics.

7PL is being used to describe a turnkey solution where instead of dealing with several people for various services like inbound, outbound and warehousing, The concept is ‘one contract, one bill’. 7PL is the combination of 3PL and 4PL into one (3PL + 4PL = 7PL). One logistics service provider provides a client with both 3PL and 4PL services under one roof. 7PL is referred to as a turnkey solution where instead of dealing with several people for various logistics services like inbound, outbound and warehousing, clients deal with one person under the ‘one contract, one bill’ concept.