by Scott Frederick | Feb 23, 2015 | News
It goes without saying that there are many regulations around importing and exporting – complex regulations. We have licensed and experienced consultants who can help simplify the complexity of those regulations and provide procedures to keep your company in compliance. In fact, when you work with Logistics Plus, it’s like having your very own Global Trade Compliance Department.
- Are you looking to expand your import and / or export operations, and aren’t sure of the regulations you need to follow?
- Have you received Notices of Action on your imports or penalties on your export filings?
- Are your customers asking you to complete free trade agreement paperwork, but you’re unsure of what to do?
- Do you have the knowledge and expertise necessary to keep your company in compliance with import and export regulations?
At Logistics Plus, Adam Mook, global trade compliance department manager, and Gretchen Blough, a licensed customs broker, are part of a global team of 25+ professionals who ensure that everything coming into or going out of the country does so legally and in compliance with all of the various international laws and customs regulations that govern the shipment of goods. “There’s basically two ways to look at it,” says Adam. “If a U.S. company is exporting its product from here to say, Indonesia, they may be able to handle the function of getting out of the United States, but they often don’t think about all the documentation requirements, packaging or labeling of the products for the import process in the country they’re shipping to. That’s where we come in and help, not just in getting it out of the U.S. side, but we also tell them how to prepare their product in order to get it into the country and to clear customs.”
No matter the origin or destination of your goods, we help you gain the knowledge to perform the due diligence necessary to ensure your shipments meet international regulations. Easily define your needs, contain costs, and minimize your risk when you work with our experiences, licensed customs brokers. Our customs specialists help you comply with existing government regulations and stay ahead of changing customs compliance laws to reduce your risk, eliminate errors, and lower your costs.
- Compliance Management
- Import / Export Compliance Manuals
- NAFTA and Free Trade Agreement Qualifications
- Classification (HTS, Schedule B, ECCN)
- Freight Bill Audits
- Import / Export Audits
- Customs Brokerage
- In-house Compliance Training
- On-Site Compliance Management Teams
- Letter of Credit Contract Review and Consulting
If you’re interested in having Logistics Plus be your Global Trade Compliance Department for any of the services listed above, please contact us or reach out directly to Adam or Gretchen to get started.
Adam Mook, Global Trade Compliance Manager
Call 814.464.1722 or email adam.mook@logisticsplus.com
Gretchen Blough, Licensed Customs Broker
Call 814.461.7630 or email gretchen.blough@logisticsplus.com
by logisticsplus | Dec 8, 2014 | News
In case you missed it, Logistics Plus Inc. was featured in the Winter 2015 issue of Supply Chain World magazine which hit newsstands a few days ago. The article highlights how Logistics Plus works as a strategic partner with customers around the world to help them manage their supply chains from start to finish.
A key Logistics Plus partner, Canadian Solar, was also profiled in the issue. Read the Article Here
by logisticsplus | Dec 2, 2014 | News
What’s the difference between a 3PL and a 4PL? Well, before we go there, how about a 1PL and 2PL? A 1PL is simply the owner of the cargo who manages the entire distribution process internally. A 2PL is a for-hire air, ground, rail, or ocean carrier that directly provides transportation service to a shipper. As far as 3PLs and 4PLs are concerned, according to the glossary published by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), the definitions for both are as follows:
Third-Party Logistics (3PL)
Outsourcing all or much of a company’s logistics operations to a specialized company. The term “3PL” was first used in the early 1970s to identify intermodal marketing companies (IMCs) in transportation contracts. Up to that point, contracts for transportation had featured only two parties, the shipper and the carrier. When IMCs entered the picture—as intermediaries that accepted shipments from the shippers and tendered them to the rail carriers—they became the third party to the contract, the 3PL. The definition has broadened to the point where these days, every company that offers some kind of logistics service for hire calls itself a 3PL. Preferably, these services are integrated, or “bundled,” together by the provider. Services they provide are transportation, warehousing, cross-docking, inventory management, packaging, and freight forwarding. In 2008 legislation passed declaring that the legal definition of a 3PL is “A person who solely receives, holds, or otherwise transports a consumer product in the ordinary course of business but who does not take title to the product.”
Fourth-Party Logistics (4PL)
Differs from third-party logistics in the following ways; 1) 4PL organization is often a separate entity established as a joint venture or long-term contract between a primary client and one or more partners; 2) 4PL organization acts as a single interface between the client and multiple logistics service providers; 3) All aspects (ideally) of the client’s supply chain are managed by the 4PL organization; and, 4) It is possible for a major third-party logistics provider to form a 4PL organization within its existing structure. However, 4PL was originally defined by Accenture as a trademark in 1996 and defined as “A supply chain integrator that assembles and manages the resources, capabilities, and technology of its own organization with those of complementary service providers to deliver a comprehensive supply chain solution.”, but is no longer registered.
Logistics Plus 4PL & Supply Chain Management
Okay, now that we have the academic definitions out of the way, what do services really entail for a company working with Logistics Plus on a 4PL basis? Logistics Plus 4PL customers generally receive dedicated, on-site support and expertise in managing their supply chains. Our dedicated resources will work with customers to:
- Manage both domestic and international shipping
- Document and simplify the logistics process for shipping sites
- Oversee customs regulations and compliance
- Provide tools, like eWorldPlus™ and eTNTPlus™, for tracking and compliance
- Identify potential savings opportunities
- Implement cost savings projects
- Liaison between allocated carriers and sites
- Resolve disputes raised by sites or carriers
- Audit freight invoices to ensure accurate billing
- Facilitate idea generation with customers’ logistics team
- Test pilot special projects to determine effectiveness
- And anything else needed to add value to the partnership
If your company is struggling with logistics management and getting control of its supply chain, Contact Us and let us provide you with a risk-free logistics analysis. Call us a 3PL, 4PL, or whatever you’d like — but we’ll help you identify areas of opportunity and how we can help you address them.
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