Freight forwarding

Warehousing and consolidation

Buying from four suppliers does not have to mean paying for four shipments.

What this covers

Consolidation means collecting cargo from several suppliers into one container, so that the buyer pays one freight cost, receives one document set and takes one delivery instead of four. It is the single most effective way to reduce the freight cost of a multi-supplier purchase.

Storage at origin serves the same purpose: goods that are ready early wait at the consolidation facility rather than occupying the supplier’s floor or forcing an early shipment at part-load rates.

We coordinate this work with the facilities that perform it, and report what has arrived, what is outstanding and what condition the goods are in. Storage terms, free time and handling charges are stated per booking before cargo moves — we do not advertise a standard free period, because the terms depend on the facility and the season.

How the shipment runs

  1. InboundSuppliers deliver to the nominated facility against a shared reference.
  2. CheckCounting, condition check and discrepancy reporting against the packing lists.
  3. ConsolidateCargo held until complete, then stuffed and sealed as one shipment.
  4. ShipOne booking, one document set, one arrival to manage at destination.

Comparison

Consolidation in practice
StageWhat we doWhat you receive
NominationSuppliers are given the delivery address, reference and packing requirementsA single point of contact for all suppliers
ReceiptCargo is received, counted and checked against the packing listA receipt report per supplier, with discrepancies flagged
HoldingGoods wait until the consolidation is completeVisibility of what is in and what is outstanding
StuffingCargo is loaded into the container, seal number recordedLoading confirmation and the container and seal numbers
DepartureExport formalities and carriage under one document setOne bill of lading covering the whole consignment

Documents you receive

  • Receipt report per supplier delivery, including discrepancies
  • Consolidated packing list showing every carton and its supplier
  • Loading confirmation with container and seal numbers
  • One bill of lading covering the consolidated shipment

Worth knowing