Whether you are a part of a small supply chain or a long run of supply and distribution, timing and reliability matter. Treating your customers professionally by making sure the goods get there when you say they will improve your standing and makes sure they’ll come back again and again. At Millennium Cargo, we understand this more than most, with reliability being a pillar of our service.

Planning and preparation are essential, especially if you are looking to keep costs down. Having to suddenly send your shipment via unplanned air freight because you hadn’t taken everything into consideration, being charged for additional warehousing because you missed a connection, or – worst of all – losing a valued customer because they cannot trust your timing, can send costs skyrocketing and rapidly diminish profits.

Thankfully, we’re here at Millennium to help you get the timing right!

The Nuances of International Freight Timing

It’s not just as simple as saying ‘it always takes four weeks to get from A to B’. There are several considerations when planning your international shipping – many of which most people simply don’t think about.

Peak and Off-Peak Seasons

When you book a Mediterranean break, you know it’s going to be more expensive in the summer. Why? Because it’s peak season and demand is high. What many companies don’t consider, however, is that the same is true for international shipping. No, your cargo isn’t looking to sunbathe on a Spanish beach, but there are plenty of things that can put demand on carriers, creating peak and off-peak seasons:

• The Pre-Christmas Rush – Christmas is by far the most active part of the shopping calendar across the world. Retailers rush to restock their warehouses for the holidays during the months of August to October, and direct-to-customer shipping picks up prior to Christmas as online retailers move goods both regionally and internationally.

• Chinese New Year – Many factories in China close for weeks during this national holiday, so there’s a spike in shipments from the region beforehand to make sure goods demand is met while the country is effectively closed.
• Harvests – When it comes to agricultural and food products, growing seasons have a significant effect, creating peak seasons that are specific to the industry.
• New Product Launches – With predictable release schedules, events such as a major new phone model can result in huge peaks for shipping around the launch windows.
• Early Summer Lull – A prime off-peak season, April to June are often quieter as many companies do less product-based business and are instead busy preparing for the next wave of demand.

With peak seasons often industry-dependent, it’s essential to work with a freight forwarder, such as Millennium Cargo, who has the specialist experience needed to predict demand fluctuations that may affect your freight timing.

Global Events

The shipping industry is vulnerable to global events. These may be natural in nature, such as hurricanes disrupting transportation in a key region, or political, with wars proving particularly impactful.

Understanding how to work around these geopolitical issues to ensure the minimum level of delay takes a fine touch and the ability to react quickly. Expertise is essential, which is why at Millennium Cargo, we’ve built up such a strong reputation for reliability of service. With multimodal planning at our core, we can respond effectively where needed, switching routes or implementing alternative plans to ensure your shipment reaches its destination as quickly as possible.

Fuel Costs

While choosing your timing based on the international fuel market is difficult, when distances are great, the financial impact of even a minor change in fuel costs can be significant. By using the right mode of transport and optimising through shipment consolidation, an expert freight forwarder like Millennium can keep fuel costs as low as possible.

How to Avoid Timing Issues

Getting your timing right involves proper planning, professional preparation, and perfect partners. Working with Millennium Cargo will bring all three. Consider:

• Giving Yourself Enough Lead Time – Book early to increase flexibility and secure the lowest rates.
• Evaluating Seasonal Variations – If you don’t know the finer points of seasonal shipping, then work with someone you trust. We can advise you on a shipping timetable that optimises your routes and transport, moving your goods during off-peak times to maximise efficiency.
• Being Flexible – When you are open to moving the dates, you can save significantly. Sometimes it can be more cost-effective to ship early and warehouse your goods at the other end for a short while than to ship during a costly peak time. 
• Avoiding Urgency – If you leave anything to the last minute, it’s going to be more expensive. If you plan well, urgency can be avoided. Balance speed and cost.

Working with Millennium Cargo to Get Timing Right

Our experienced logistics team are on hand to help you plan the timing of your shipments. Contact us today to discuss your specific cargo considerations and let us work on a tailored timetable of efficient shipping.