1. Seafreight does not always equate to cheaper freight. If you have only a few boxes of items to ship out, consider sending them by Airfreight. The primary reason being that Seafreight is traditionally meant for Bulky items (think crates and pallet loads), and while the seafreight charges may appear attractive, be prepared to pay a hefty sum of port charges when your shipment arrives.
2. Planning to ship your items by airfreight ? Always ensure that you weigh your items yourselves, and take the dimensions of each item. A small investment in a weighing scale from a convenience store and a measuring tape will go a long way to ensuring that you are not conned into paying more by your agent.
3. Further to point 2., ensure that the weight of your items is more than or equal to 45kg. Most agents won't tell you this but airlines charge up to 200% more for packages that don't meet the minimum Q rate (45kg and above).
4. Further to points 2. and 3., if your items don't weigh 45kg on the scale, don't panic. Calculate the volume weight of the items using this simple formula (length x breadth x height in cm and divide by 6000), this gives you the volume weight per item. Add up the volume weights, chances are sometimes the volume weight exceeds the weight on the scales. and the airlines will usually charge based on the higher of the two.
5. Don't try to send everything by freight. Though largely common knowledge, people often fail to maximise their luggage capacity and hand-carry luggage capacity, some airlines such as Emirates allow passengers to carry 32kg of luggage each. First class and Business class passengers get allowances up to 40kg for multiple pieces of luggage (boxes qualify as check in luggage too). Some airlines also allow passengers to check in bulky items such as sports equipment, so you don't necessarily have to ship your surfboard or golf clubs by freight !
Ing Kumala
Personal email: ing.kumala@gmail.com
Business email: info@ptkalinda.co.id
Compare carriers. Does it get any simpler than that? Remember, you don't need to use the carrier that you have been working with for as far back as decade. The truth is that things change, and if you find a new shipping company with less cheaper costs you ought to allow them to gain your business. Simply ensure that you are not trading off quality.
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