KNOWLEDGE BASE
Everything You Need To Know To Make Freight Easy & Hassle-Free
Rail Freight: Pros, Cons & Is It Right For You?
For the savvy, knowing how your cargo gets from A to B can make all the difference in speed, cost, and ease. When it comes to mode of transport, you’ve got Air, Ocean, Road or Rail to choose from. And each has its benefits and drawbacks that can impact your decision....
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...
Detention and Demurrage Charges: What Are They?
Do you import or export goods? Then, you might have heard of detention and demurrage charges. But what exactly are they, and why do you need to pay them? Here, we explain the two terms, how they work and why it’s crucial you know about them. Detention Charges The word...
The Role Of Warehousing in Freight Forwarding
Warehousing is intrinsically tied to logistics, but it might be something you’ve yet to come across. Here, we explain the role of warehousing in freight forwarding and how it can help your business. What Is Warehousing? Warehousing describes the temporary storage of...
The Certificate Of Origin And The Different Types
The term ‘Certificate of Origin’ might sound fairly simple, but as we’ve learned, there’s a lot more to it! In this blog, we’ll go over what one is, the different types that exist and what information is included within one. Onward! What Is A Certificate Of Origin? A...
Freight For Small Businesses: A Beginner’s Guide
When you start a small business of any kind, there’s a lot to think about. And making mistakes can cost you - big time. To ease the pressure, here’s a quick guide to getting your goods where they need to be. Let’s start at the beginning. The Basics Of Freight The...
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...
What Are Heat Treated Pallets (And Why Do Pallets Need To Be Heat Treated?)
A pallet is just a pallet, right? Something Instagrammers ‘upcycle’ into sofas, garden bars and herb planters. But before they end up living their life on someone’s feed, they play a vital role in safely moving goods from location to location. They might be the...
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,...
The Importance Of Accurate Freight Descriptions
Freight descriptions might seem like a formality, but they actually play a vital role in getting your goods to their destination. Here, we run through everything you need to know about freight descriptions and why they matter. Freight Descriptions: An Overview...
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...
Freight For Fragile Goods: 3 Things You Need To Know
Shipping fragile cargo? Easily broken or damaged items require extra care throughout the entire shipping process. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are three things you need to know about shipping sensitive and fragile goods. Fragile Goods: The Problems...
What to Expect When Your Goods Are in Transit
Do you know what’s involved in moving cargo from one place to another? Whether you move goods around the UK or internationally, knowing the shipping process inside out is important. How else can you make sure your consignments get to where they need to be in one...
What To Do If Your Shipment Is Lost or Damaged
Every care is taken when you instruct a carrier or forwarder to transport your goods. But sometimes, something happens, and your cargo is lost or damaged. But what happens next? What should you do? What do we do? Find out here. The Risk Of Shipping Goods When you...
Green Freight: How To Make Moving Goods More Eco-Friendly
If there’s one certain thing, it’s that everyone, everywhere, should be doing all they can to be more eco-friendly. And for the freight industry, that’s all the more important. Our role in protecting the environment is vital. Green freight is a necessity in the future...
Road Freight: Pros, Cons & Is It Right For You?
Road freight is the most commonly used mode of cargo transportation in the UK and Europe. But does that mean it’s the right option for your goods? Every type of transport has its pros and cons. Read this blog to find out what to expect with road freight and see if...
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?
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?
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?
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...
How To Package & Prepare Your Cargo For Shipping
The preparation of your goods for shipping is crucial to get right. Because your cargo may be travelling a significant distance and changing hands, and modes of transport, several times, proper packaging is needed to avoid the risk of damage. But what is the best way...
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?
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?
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...
Rail Freight: Pros, Cons & Is It Right For You?
When you think of freight, what comes to mind is probably stacks of containers sitting at the docks. Or lorries trundling all over Europe (when they’re not queueing at port strikes…). But rail freight is often key in transporting goods, too. Keep reading to find out...
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?
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
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 A Minimum Shipment, And How Should I Ship It?
When you think about shipping and logistics, you’re probably picturing everything BIG. Trucks, cranes, warehouses, ports, stacks of containers… it’s all massive. But what about cargo that sits on the smaller end of the scale? Can you still use a freight company if...
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?
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...
Exporting Live Animals? Here’s Everything You Need To Know
As freight forwarders, we see all kinds of goods shipped worldwide: soft toys from China, cars from Germany, and clothing from India. We even take care of live animal export. And as you can imagine, it’s something we take incredible care and attention with. Are you...
How Do Freight Forwarders Work Out Their Chargeable Weight For Air Shipments?
Ever wondered how your freight forwarder arrives at the chargeable weight that they ? It all comes down to maths, but it’s far from simple! In this blog, we’ll strip the topic of chargeable weight right back, so you get a clearer understanding of what it means for...
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...
Why You Need An EORI Number When Shipping Internationally
You’ll need to have an EORI number when you ship goods internationally. That’s right, another pesky acronym. BoL, FCL, LCL… There are so many of them, aren’t there? The thing is, shipping acronyms are shorthand for crucial bits of information that all shippers should...
Deferment Accounts – What Are They And Do You Need One?
Do you regularly import goods? Managing import taxes and VAT payments for every consignment can be complicated, time-consuming, and frustrating. Since Brexit, dealing with VAT payments at the border is no longer necessary as they are postponed and settled separately...
What Are Exchange Rates? Who Decides On Them Anyway?
Exchange rates aren’t just for holidays. Have you ever wondered how the exchange rate affects freight? No, we thought not! It’s a pretty complex system, and the rate changes daily, so we’ll leave to ins and outs to the experts. But exchange rates DO impact freight...
What Is The Maximum Weight You Can Ship In A Container?
When looking into freight forwarders, you want to ensure you’re getting the right advice and a good deal. Whatever container solution you end up going for will have a bearing on your costs, mode of transport and the type of goods you can send, after all. The trouble...
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...
9 Factors That Can Determine Your Freight Rates
It’s common knowledge that freight rates are on the high side recently. But why exactly do they cost so much? Or indeed go up and down so often? There are so many different cogs moving in the shipping world that it’s not a simple answer. To give you an insight into...
What Is Container Congestion, And How Does It Affect Your Business?
Is container congestion slowing your lead times? It’s one of the biggest problems causing delays in shipping all around the globe, and it’s highly likely to affect how fast your consignments reach their destination. Read on to find out exactly what we’re talking...
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...
What Are Dangerous Goods And Why Do They Have Different Shipping Rules?
Does your company ship dangerous goods? If you thought normal cargo was tricky and confusing to transport, moving dangerous goods from A to B comes with an even bigger minefield of rules and regulations. And getting it wrong can be disastrous. Carry on reading to...
3 Absolute Musts If Your Cargo Is Passing Through Dover
The Dover Strait, or the Strait of Dover, is a high-traffic route located at the narrowest part of the English Channel. It is the boundary that separates Great Britain and continental Europe. This means that the Port of Dover is the busiest international ferry port....
Current Supply Chain Challenges You Should Be Aware Of
Over the past couple of years, the shipping industry was sent into chaos thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the knock-on effects of this can still be felt worldwide. As we edge closer to the end of 2022, we’re still seeing plenty of issues come to a head, and it’s...
Breaking Down Freight Costs – Why Does Freight Forwarding Cost So Much?
Has a quote for freight forwarding recently left you baulking at the price? Maybe you’ve even noticed some surprisingly cheap shipping estimates flying around. Are they too good to be true? Why are they so affordable? In reality, the cost of shipping goods recently...
Planning For Logistics At Christmas – Everything You Need To Consider
Freight businesses don’t hibernate through the winter season. They’re even busier than usual. It might feel a little late to start planning for Christmas, but these dark, cold months bring with them quite a few factors to consider to make sure your freight logistics...
Air Freight: Pros, Cons & Is It Right For You?
Air freight is when goods are transported by aircraft. The entire global economy depends on the ability to deliver high-quality products at competitive prices to consumers worldwide. Cargo delivered by air is fast and accounts for approximately 35% of world trade....
Why Is There A Recruitment Problem In The Freight Industry?
You might have heard whispers from the news or the odd online piece about recruitment issues in the logistics field. The truth is, most UK logistics companies are facing recruitment issues. The result? Delays, setbacks and, at times, poor decisions made out of...
Freight Dictionary: Industry Lingo Decoded For You
Do you sometimes feel like you’re stepping into an alternative world when you hear ‘freight language’? There’s a lot of word jargon, acronyms and unfamiliar lingo to get to grips with. It’s easy to feel alienated! At Millenium Cargo, we’re a friendly bunch and we...
What’s Changing In The Next 12 Months For The Logistics Industry?
It’s been a busy few years for the freight industry, to say the least! What with the minefield of Brexit, suspension of the HGV levy, driver shortages, fuel costs rising and supply chain disruptions. With that being said, we’re hoping the next few years will be more...
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...
Do You Know How To Make Your Customs Declarations?
If you import and export you need to know your customs declaration inside and out. The rules are precise, and mistakes can be costly. Customs clearance is the process that all goods must go through before being imported and exported. You won’t be able to gain...
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...
3 Ways To Reduce The Carbon Footprint Of Your Cargo
There’s no getting around it. The shipping industry is one of the main sources of greenhouse gases around the world. Around 940 million tonnes of CO2 are produced by the industry every single year. Not only that, but its level of emissions is predicted to keep on...
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?
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?
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?
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...
What Documents Do You Need When Importing Goods To The UK?
If your business plans to import goods into the UK from another country, you’ll need to have the correct documentation. Wrong version? No licence? Lack of appropriate certification? Incorrect documents = no goods. It’s as simple as that. Or, in many cases, having...
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,...
Importing From China – How Long Will I Have To Wait?
China is a trade giant. THE trade giant, you might argue. And as one of the world’s largest manufacturing industries, with a huge export market, the UK happens to be one of China’s major shipping destinations. Understanding shipment processes and keeping...
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?
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?
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...
Air Freight Vs Sea Freight – Which Should You Choose?
When you’re choosing how to move your goods around the world there’s a lot to consider. You want your goods to get to their destination as fast as possible, but is it quite that simple? What about carbon footprint? Safety? Cost? The world of shipping and logistics...
Bill Of Lading – What Is It, Why Does It Matter & How Do You Get One?
You’ll hear plenty of jargon upon entering the world of shipping and logistics. The term Bill Of Lading, or a BoL, is a really important one to get your head around. Without a BoL, transporting cargo by air, sea and road is impossible. What Is A Bill Of...
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.
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CFS Business Park, Coleshill Road,
Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham B75 7FS
Telephone
0121 311 0550
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