London-East Transportation Services (LETS) has helped businesses send and receive documents, parcels, and pallets around the UK and between Europe and the rest of the world at discounted rates since 2013. As an established global courier and freight management company we understand that many of our UK business clients are concerned about how Brexit will affect parcel and freight import, export, logistics, paperwork, and insurance.

Tips to Avoid Shipping Glitches

We know that most of your attention and time tends to go towards making and/or selling your products and services to your customer, as it should.

But that can sometimes mean that you end up not paying enough attention to an equally important piece of the puzzle: making sure your customers actually receive the items you send.

Whether you're a new business looking to start shipping your products, or a business that wants to improve their existing distribution system, we have compiled some shipping tips to help you send your items around the world.

How to Avoid Additional Fees & Shipment Delays Pre and Post Brexit Tips

• Choice of Carrier - We work with familiar national and international carrier partners and can select the best carrier for your needs.
• Measuring & Weighing Your Freight – Avoid additional fees and shipment delays by measuring all three sides your packaged freight. Always record the longest measurement per side and if your freight is on a pallet, include the pallet dimensions. Weigh all packaged freight on a calibrated, certified, digital scale prior to pick-up and take a photo of the freight on the scale and photograph tape measurements to keep a record should any disputes arise.
• Packing Your Freight – Always ensure you use appropriate packaging for each shipment. For example, if you are shipping a fragile item, make use appropriate packing filler to reduce the risk of damage and use a "Fragile" and or "This Way Up" sticker to ensure the item is handled with care. For larger shipments, every pallet should be accompanied by a packing list along with the carrier label. The packing list should accurately describe the contents, weight, and measurements to avoid additional fees and custom delays.
• Labelling Your Freight - Every freight shipment must have a Bill of Lading (BOL) attached with the contact information for both the shipper and the receiver, including a name and phone number. Shipments may be delayed if this information is not included on the BOL. Some online booking systems generate a BOL for you, we are happy to advise.
• Avoiding Shipment Delays - Transit times provided by carriers are only approximate and many things can affect delivery time. If your freight is booked on a guaranteed shipment basis, it does not mean your package is guaranteed to arrive on-time but if it is delayed you will not be charged for the package. Please note carriers require a minimum 2-hour window for pickups so ensure you allow a reasonable amount of time for same day collection or choose next day collection.
• Avoiding Additional Fees – Apart from reclassification, dimensional, and re-weigh fees mentioned earlier - there are some others to look out for:
  
  
  • Tail Lift Fees: Deliveries that require Tail Lifts are not always readily available with every carrier so when creating your BOL enter "TAIL LIFT NEEDED" in the address line so the carrier will see it on the consignment notes.
  • Accessorial Fees: Anything other than a dock-to-dock shipment may incur carrier fees. Always check the accessorial to see if any apply to your shipment. accessorial fees may show up months after the shipping charges have been invoiced.
  • Failed Collection Fee: Carriers may charge this fee if the freight is not available when they show up for pick-up. They can also be incurred if the receiver refuses delivery. Be sure to enter the correct date and shipping hours of origin and destination. If a pick-up number is required, make sure you add it to the BOL, or the carrier may be turned away.
  • Inside Delivery Fee: If your receiver asks the carrier to bring the freight inside, and you have not requested "Inside Delivery", the carrier will comply and charge you at list prices for this service. Advise your receiver not to request extra services which are not on the BOL to avoid incurring additional charges.
• Tracking Your Shipment - Tracking numbers an codes make it easier to track the progress of the shipment from start to finish, including any stops it made along the way with addresses included, allowing you to find a lost package and have it redirected to the proper destination.
• Shipment Insurance - Carriers only carry limited liability coverage in the event of loss or damage. If you have a shipment that you would like insured with a more comprehensive policy, please ensure that your freight is packaged and labelled properly and provide photos for the insurance company.

We hope this information and shipping tips will assist in the continued smooth running of your business pre and post Brexit. As we approach the end of 2020 it is likely there will be delays as traffic through the EORI system increases, so you should apply in good time. You can then provide your EORI number to London East Transportation Services as your acting courier or freight forwarding manager to use when making customs declarations on your behalf. If you have concerns over the effect of withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union will have on your business, please get in touch.

Call: 0203 600 6006
Email: [email protected]

You can arrange your Courier Service here https://londoneasttransport.co.uk/