For UK exporters, getting a pallet to Italy from the British Isles ought to be a relatively simple process. And yet, for many UK-based firms, sending commercial goods to southern Europe is more of a hassle than it used to be. Part of this comes down to the trading arrangements that exist between the UK and the European Union, of course. In addition, the rising costs of fuel have meant that shipping a pallet to Italy has become more expensive. Fortunately, there are a number of things British exportation firms can do to make shipping pallets to Italy more cost-effective and reliable. What are they?
1. Use the Negotiating Power of Freight Forwarders
To begin with, shipping any commercial goods to Italy is often better when you have experts helping you. If you contact logistical firms in Naples, Rome, Milan or Brindisi, then the likelihood is that you will be charged near to the top rate for handling your pallet and sending it from a distribution hub to your customer, wherever they might be.
However, professional freight forwarding firms will often deal with such companies regularly and, therefore, be able to obtain better pricing. In some cases, British freight forwarders will simply arrange to have your pallet collected and sent directly to your customer in Italy without any delays or handovers. This sort of express pallet service to Italy is ideal for time-sensitive orders.
2. Consider Grouping Your Consignment With Others
If your pallet to Italy is less urgent, then ask about groupage rates. Some freight forwarders like Barrington Freight, based in Essex, will arrange for this option when two or more pallets are going to similar destinations in Italy.
According to their operations team, sharing the logistical costs involved can make for great savings and the service won’t necessarily be much slower. Indeed, this sort of service will still mean that the goods arrive in Italy in just the same condition as they left in.
3. Keep Tabs on the Progress of Your Italian Shipments
Some courier service providers that deliver pallets to places like Turin, Bologna, Bari and Genoa understand that Italian clients like to be kept appraised of their consignments.
Therefore, seek services that provide you with regular updates or even live tracking so your customers will always know exactly when to expect their pallets.
Please note that live consignment tracking of pallets to Italy isn’t solely about maintaining customer service but improving shipment security, too, since you will always know where your pallets are. In short, such systems are a useful deterrent against theft, too.
4. Ensure Customs Procedures Are Met in Full
Most pallets to Italy arrive in France and are then transported either via the Mont Blanc tunnel or one of the mountain passes through the Alps further south. This means that EU customs officers will probably want to confirm the goods’ paperwork at Calais, Dunkirk or Le Havre even if a physical inspection of the pallet is not always carried out.
Use a customs clearance agent with knowledge in this field to save you from hassles at the border which can delay goods for hours and even days and weeks in the worst cases.
