Urgent air shipment: when a plant is down
This scenario is an example of a typical task. It does not describe a particular customer.
Starting situation
In a plant in Germany a production line stands still. The faulty component is available only from the manufacturer in a non-EU country, which can supply it from stock. Every day of downtime costs more than any transport. The plant's purchasing department has ordered the part and now needs someone who collects it, gets it onto the aircraft, clears it at the destination airport and drives it to the factory gate, and who can be reached along the way, in the evening too.
What the customer needs
- A collection from the manufacturer as soon as the part is ready for dispatch, with all papers the departure requires
- The next sensible connection, with an honest statement of when the part is expected to arrive
- An import clearance that is prepared before the aircraft lands
- Delivery straight to the plant, outside usual hours as well, and a contact who knows the status along the whole way
How we handle it
First details.
We ask for what a booking needs: dimensions, weight, packaging, goods description and value for customs, collection address and contact at the manufacturer, delivery address and contact at the plant. If the part contains batteries, liquids or magnets, we settle the dangerous goods question now, not at the airport.
Choosing the connection.
We compare the next reachable flights: direct or via a hub, with an eye on cut-off time, handling at the destination airport and customs opening hours. The plant receives a statement of when the part should arrive, and confirms.
Collection and departure.
Our partner in the country of origin collects the part. Commercial invoice, packing list and air waybill are complete; the consignment is security-screened where necessary and delivered to the flight. We report collection and departure to the plant.
Clearance during the flight.
With the documents we prepare the import declaration so that it can be lodged as soon as the consignment is registered at the destination airport. Queries from the customs office we answer from the documents.
Collection and delivery.
After release our driver collects the part at the cargo terminal and drives it to the plant. The contact at the plant receives the expected arrival time and a message when the driver sets off. The proof of delivery is signed.
Completion.
The plant receives the proof of delivery, the customs assessment and an invoice on which every item is explained. If wanted, we keep the consignment data ready for the next time.
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Request a quoteServices involved
The same sequence applies to samples that have to reach a trade fair or an approval, and to first quantities of a new product whose replenishment comes later by sea or rail.
What the customer gets
A statement that production planning can rely on; a consignment that does not get stuck at the cut-off, at security screening or at customs; status updates at collection, departure, arrival, release and delivery; the part at the factory gate; and documents that accounts can process without queries.
It has to be quick?
Write to us with the goods, dimensions, weight, collection point and plant. We will come back with the next sensible connection.