International shipping is a large part of today’s complex business world. The ability to move cargo quickly and efficiently over great distances and across borders is crucial to keep the flow of business regular. A logistics company is best equipped to handle the ins and outs of commerce and transport, and can save many headaches for the owner of a company dealing in international trade. You want smooth handling of your shipment from beginning to end.

An international business or trading company requires more from a shipping company than simple transport. The relationship between a company and its shipping carrier should be more of a partnership, with each side working to achieve a common goal. The company in question will supply business to the logistics carrier, which in turn will expedite the move of goods across various countries‘ borders and between continents by air, land or sea without incident.

The ideal logistics company will have reliable contacts within the different shipping industries, from ocean carriers to airlines to ground fleets. In some cases, a large international shipping service may be comprised of a logistics carrier that actually owns smaller transport accompanies in one, two or all three fields, enabling them to provide services uninterrupted by secondary parties’ internal difficulties, such as breakdowns, strikes or company reorganization.

More often, a logistics company will have established long running service contracts with dependable international transport companies including airlines, ocean cargo carriers and overland trucking firms. These contracts ensure that your cargo is given top priority and that space is always available on demand for your shipping needs. The smooth operation of each leg of a journey is what makes international shipping headache free.

If you require international shipping accommodations for oversized or temperature controlled cargoes, select a logistics company that advertises those specific services to ensure that your shipment is handled by experts. For smaller than normal shipments, see if the company you select offers a way to share a container or cargo space with another company which is also sending a smaller shipment - this can lower your costs and increase shipping efficiency.

Another factor to consider is warehouse space. In some instances, it may be more feasible to ship a large shipment but you will have no space ready for it on the other end. A company that also supplies short term storage can relieve your mind and allow you time to arrange for a clearing of inventory before unloading your new shipment. Some companies also offer loading and unloading service - this may be much less expensive than hiring your own dock crews.

Finally, ask if your international shipping company uses intermodal containers - your shipment should be packed into a single container which can be switched from overland freight to air transport to ocean carrier without requiring that the contents be unloaded transferred to a different container. Intermodal compatibility should be a given with any logistics company you contract with for the transport and delivery of your cargo.