+44(0) 121 311 0550 info@millenniumcargo.com

KNOWLEDGE BASE

Everything You Need To Know To Make Freight Easy & Hassle-Free 

Digital Freight Forwarding – What Is It?

Digital Freight Forwarding – What Is It?

The term digital freight forwarding sounds super techy and cool, doesn’t it? You can just imagine your cargo defying the laws of logic and zapping through cables at lightspeed. Sadly, freight isn’t quite there yet… But digital freight forwarding is still super handy. ...

3 Big Risks Facing Your Cargo

3 Big Risks Facing Your Cargo

The safety of your cargo might not be the first thing you consider when organising its transportation. Many of us simply trust that it’ll get from A to B without issue.  And for the most part, that assumption is fine to make. However, there are 3 big risks that we as...

The Hidden Cost Of Cheap Freight Rates

The Hidden Cost Of Cheap Freight Rates

Cost saving is important for all businesses, and good budget management means looking at ways to reduce expenditure. But some costs can have disastrous results if cut. You’ve guessed it… Freight rates are one of those costs. Cheap freight rates might look appealing,...

3 Things To Look For In a Freight Quote

3 Things To Look For In a Freight Quote

Freight quotes don’t always look the same and can be complicated to understand. Different companies include different aspects, with other additional services sometimes incurring extra fees. And that means there are certain things you need to make sure you’re covered...

Import Taxes: The Basics

Import Taxes: The Basics

Nothing is certain except death and taxes, or so Benjamin Franklin allegedly said. And with importing goods comes a host of taxes that might seem a little overwhelming. Especially when you’re already navigating customs procedures and regulations, documentation,...

Air vs Ocean Freight: Which Is Right For You?

Air vs Ocean Freight: Which Is Right For You?

When deciding between air and sea freight, there’s a lot to think about. Speed, restrictions, volume, cost… Which mode of transport will work best for your shipment? There’s so much to consider. So, we’ve written this blog to look into it a little deeper.  All About...

Northern Ireland Protocol: What Is It?

Northern Ireland Protocol: What Is It?

Brexit created some… issues. And some of those issues were very complex, but none were as contentious and precarious as the issue of managing what to do in Ireland. Ever heard of the Northern Ireland Protocol?  The Problem When Northern Ireland and the Republic of...

Multimodal Transport: Pros and Cons

Multimodal Transport: Pros and Cons

We’re always looking to find the most efficient routes to move cargo. Multimodal transport presents some appealing benefits - but what are they and are there any downsides? We run through everything you need to know in this blog. Understanding Multimodal Transport The...

How Does The Weather Impact Freight

How Does The Weather Impact Freight

The freight industry is complex but hardy. It is well-equipped to deal with all sorts of scenarios that might cause problems for shipments travelling worldwide, and that includes the weather. Our industry has provisions and protocols in place for all sorts; sun, rain,...

Freight Forwarders vs Customs Brokers

Freight Forwarders vs Customs Brokers

Have you come across these terms before? You’d be forgiven for thinking that freight forwarders and cargo brokers are the same thing - because sometimes they are! But there’s more to it than that. Each has a distinct role in the process of moving goods around the...

Who is BIFA & Why Use a BIFA Forwarder?

Who is BIFA & Why Use a BIFA Forwarder?

Wondering what BIFA means?  You might have seen the term if you’ve been browsing forwarders or comparing freight quotes.  It’s an important aspect of conscientious freight forwarding, and we’re here to tell you all about it. Who Is BIFA? BIFA is the British...

What Is An NVOCC?

What Is An NVOCC?

Don’t we just love an acronym in the shipping sector? But this time -  wait for it - rather than a term relating to the process of shipping, it’s to do with who ships the goods.  Riveting.  Nonetheless, it’s something you should know about. Hold on to your hats… What...

Why Are My Rates Only Valid for 30 Days?

Why Are My Rates Only Valid for 30 Days?

Received a quote and noticed that it’s only valid for 30 days? Or perhaps you’ve called back to pay for a quote, only to be told that the 30-day period has passed and the price has changed. What's going on?! Why do freight quotes have an expiration date? We’re here to...

How Long Does Freight Take?

How Long Does Freight Take?

Whether you’re sending or receiving cargo, knowing how long it should take is essential. Having a sound gauge on timescales is crucial to managing a happy supply chain, but what’s the best way to get your goods where they need to be on time? This blog will help you...

Shipping Perishables: A Beginner’s Guide

Shipping Perishables: A Beginner’s Guide

The shipping of perishable goods accounts for a large proportion of UK imports and exports.  As you can imagine, businesses shipping perishables must take into consideration many  unique requirements to ensure their goods are received as they should be. This blog...

Cargo Insurance: What Is It & Do You Need It?

Cargo Insurance: What Is It & Do You Need It?

Anyone with experience in shipping knows that although the vast majority of consignments get to their destination safely, unforeseen events can wreak havoc with logistics. Cue cargo insurance. Like any insurance, it’s an expense you never want to use… But what exactly...

Terminal Handling Charges – What Are They?

Terminal Handling Charges – What Are They?

There are so many acronyms that go with freight - PVA, EORI, FAS, FOB - it’s like another language! THC is another to add to your freight shipping dictionary. It stands for Terminal Handling Charges, and here we tell you what that refers to… What Are Terminal Handling...

Shipping From China: A Beginner’s Guide

Shipping From China: A Beginner’s Guide

With 14% of the UK’s imports coming from China, the logistics of getting products from there to here are well and truly tried and tested. But that doesn’t mean that it is without complexities. In this blog, we cover the basics of shipping from China China’s Main...

What Is Project Cargo? What Does It Cost?

What Is Project Cargo? What Does It Cost?

Project cargo. It sounds like the latest celebrity game show to hit our television screens, doesn’t it? In reality, this shipping term refers to the specialist transportation of cargo that is high-value, very large, heavy or complicated. It's a category within the...

4 Ways To Save Money On Your Freight

4 Ways To Save Money On Your Freight

Shipping goods all over the world can be costly. Everyone is looking for ways to pinch the pennies, and even small changes can make big differences to your cash flow. Cutting your freight rates in any way possible is a great way to save money for your shipping...

What Is ATA Carnet?

What Is ATA Carnet?

Oooh, a nice glass of Carnet. Yes, please. That’s what it sounds like, doesn’t it? Car-nay. It brings forth images of fancy wine. One that pairs really well with raclette, fondue, or something else grown-up and tasty.  Unfortunately for us all, we’re not talking about...

Can I Contact The Captain Of My Cargo Ship?

Can I Contact The Captain Of My Cargo Ship?

If you ship goods internationally, you’ll likely transport some of your consignments using sea freight. And if so, your cargo is often loaded onto a container vessel many miles away… And that’s it.  You never see it again! Most of the time, your goods get to their...

What Is PVA In Shipping?

What Is PVA In Shipping?

Wondering what PVA is in the world of shipping? Hint: it's not school glue. (That’s what came to mind, right?) PVA stands for Postponed VAT Accounting. It’s an optional scheme there for the using, and it can be really useful for businesses that import and export...

How Big Actually Is A Shipping Container?

How Big Actually Is A Shipping Container?

If you live or work anywhere near a railway track, airport or seaport, you’ll have undoubtedly spotted the towers of shipping containers sitting around. Maybe you didn’t know what they were at the time - you’re forgiven. These days we’re not all that connected with...

How To Ship Wide Or Abnormal Loads

How To Ship Wide Or Abnormal Loads

Wide and abnormal loads are types of shipment that come with their own set of rules and regulations.  Have you ever shipped an abnormal load? Would you know what counts as a heavy load, and what you’ve got to do before you ship them?  In this blog, we’ll cover all...

Sea Freight – Is It Right For You?

Sea Freight – Is It Right For You?

Finding the most efficient means of transporting your goods depends on what you’re importing and exporting.  Some methods are simply better suited than others and the best way to decide what’s going to work for you is to research as many different methods as...

A Beginner’s Guide: Shipping To The USA

A Beginner’s Guide: Shipping To The USA

Interested in taking up exporting your goods stateside?  There are huge opportunities that come with shipping to States. Consumers in the USA spend £12.5 billion on UK products and services every year. In this blog, we’ll run through the basics of everything you need...

Road Freight 101 – Is It Right For You?

Road Freight 101 – Is It Right For You?

More often than not, the nature of your goods determines the transport method you choose to ship them.  Perishable foods? Forget the longer transit times of container shipping. Expensive items that need extra protection? Consider air freight! Hazardous materials? Find...

Why Should I Insure My Cargo?

Why Should I Insure My Cargo?

If the ship transporting your sea freight gets caught up in a storm and sinks, or the truck with your goods on board is involved in an accident, what happens next? You’ve just lost your goods. Some might be salvageable, but likely not. To satisfy your buyer you’ll...

What Is A Container Carrier Alliance?

What Is A Container Carrier Alliance?

Strategic alliances within the shipping industry are a popular working concept. For over two decades such alliances have been in play; today, these account for 80% of the global container shipping market. But why? Why are carriers collaborating, and what does it mean?...

How Much Can You Fit In A Container?

How Much Can You Fit In A Container?

When it comes to importing and exporting, there’s a hell of a lot you need to think about. You need to know who’s responsible for what at every single point of the journey. You need to know how much time it might take to reach delivery points and what the total...

Incoterms – What Are They?

Incoterms – What Are They?

EXW, FOB, DPU, DDP…  Recognise these codes? They’re incoterms, which is short for International Commercial Terms, and are usually found on the Bill of Lading. (If you’re not sure what a Bill of Lading is, read our recent blog to find out).  But what do incoterms mean,...

Customs Clearance – What Do You Need To Do?

Customs Clearance – What Do You Need To Do?

There are plenty of cogs moving in the great machine that is shipping goods between countries, and customs clearance is one of them. Though the term might knot your stomach, don’t panic. Clearing your goods through customs does not have to be stressful! Whether you’ve...

Why Have Freight Prices Gone Up?

Why Have Freight Prices Gone Up?

You might have noticed that international shipping rates were recently at an all-time high. But why? Where is the money going? Are forwarders raking it in? Sadly not.  The cost of shipping between China and the UK did increase by over 1000% in the last couple of...

Shipping Hazardous Goods – Where To Start?

Shipping Hazardous Goods – Where To Start?

Moving goods between countries can be confusing. Somewhere between preparing your goods, getting appropriate declarations signed and choosing the route of transit, you might get a bit lost.  And that’s just regular, innocent goods.  Shipping dangerous goods can be...

Chamber members join forces in net zero aim.

MAY 2022

A freight forwarding business has taken a huge step towards achieving its goal of becoming net zero thanks to a new carbon calculation and offsetting tool by a local digital design agency.

Millennium Cargo – based in Sutton Coldfield – was looking for a simple and easy way to help reduce its carbon footprint and decided to turn to the CocoonCarbon tool created by Cocoonfxmedia Ltd.

English