International logistics is the management process of ‘planning, implementing, and controlling the physical and information flows concerned with materials and final goods from the point of origin to the point of usage across at least one international border.
Contract Logistics is about many activities under the Supply Chain Umbrella which includes distribution center management, freight negotiation, reduce inventory cost and make supply chain more efficient, contributing to the growth of your business.
International Logistics Activities
Packing, labeling, transportation and insurance are also part of international logistics . Sea, air, rail and interstate road systems are important aspects of transportation logistics. The cost of transporting materials and finished goods affects any decision about where to locate manufacturing facilities or which supplier to use to deliver a given production input. Keep in mind that some products cost very little to transport while others cost a great deal.
Customs Clearance
Because foreign goods imported into the United States must be processed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a federal agency charged with the enforcement of trade and tariff laws. Customs procedures are generally highly technical; not properly following them can result in expensive and long delays. An importer may retain a customs broker to act as its agent in the entry process. A small business exporter may work with a freight forwarder or shippers’ associations or use standard international mail delivery services, depending on specific transportation needs.
Supply Chain
Knowledge of your product’s global supply chain is vital for business planning related to fulfillment capacity. How many orders can your fulfillment center process in a given amount of time? How long does it take for products or raw materials to be delivered to a given point within the global supply chain? A business operator who does not know these answers risks making delivery promises he cannot keep.