5 Tips to Cut International Freight Transport Costs

International freight transport by sea is one of the most widely used means worldwide for moving goods that are very heavy or take up a lot of space. It is important, however, to know a few points that make your commercial activity easier and, above all, reduce what you spend on transporting your goods. The first step is to work with a partner like Econtainers, with a flexible range of container solutions that complies with the legal requirements of each country to keep your products safe.

How does international freight transport work in Colombia?

International transport of goods by sea in Colombia is governed by the Dimar (Dirección General Marítima), the agency that coordinates, controls and directs all maritime, river and coastal activity in the country. What this agency prescribes is that if you want to transport goods from Colombia to other countries, you must hire a Colombian company. The Dimar website offers a list of vessels and Colombian maritime transport companies so you can contact them and decide which one to hire. From there, the company will help you manage the different certificates and procedures required for your commercial activity.

If no Colombian company can meet your needs, you may hire a foreign one. To do so, you must send an email to [email protected] specifying the name of the foreign company and the details of your shipment (destination city, type of goods, environmental certificates, etc.).

5 tips to reduce the cost of international freight transport

1. The first tip is to plan ahead. It sounds obvious, yet failing to plan transport projects in advance is one of the things that hurts shippers' wallets the most. This is due to the high demand for containers and vessels at certain times of the year, which drives rental rates up. Giving yourself time helps you find more flexible prices that fit your needs better.
2. Look for containers that suit the needs of your products. Generally, the price of moving goods is directly proportional to the space and weight they take up. Finding a container where the space is used as efficiently as possible, while the products suffer no damage, helps you minimize costs. You can browse the Econtainers website and request quotes there.
3. Speed up logistics processes. Delays in loading or unloading can significantly raise your costs, so a good logistics organization that optimizes the time it takes to move your products, together with having every document ready and in order, will help you cut costs.
4. Get advice from qualified people. Knowing precisely what your products need in transport is fundamental to avoid damage and unnecessary expense. On the Econtainers website you can find the contact details of expert advisors.
5. Look for green companies. Companies whose vessels use technology that mitigates environmental impact receive aid and incentives from governments. It is worth knowing, because this also helps reduce the final cost.

After reading this article, you know the different ways to reduce the cost of international freight transport.

Not sure which container fits your cargo? Talk to an Econtainers advisor.