All UK exportation firms need to have a reliable means of shipping commercial goods to their customers in Europe. Probably the most tried-and-tested technique there is of shipping a pallet to Europe with palletisation. Pallets of most dimensions are accepted throughout Europe, not just Euro-sized ones, so you don’t have to worry about which sort of pallet to use unless your client has an automated goods-in process they’ve informed you about. What do you need to know when sending a pallet to a European destination these days?
1. Consider Customs Clearances for EU and Non-EU Countries
All UK firms – with the exception of Northern Irish companies sending goods to the Republic – need to ensure that they’re ready for customs checks at the border. Typically, these will be conducted by EU officials in northern France, Belgium or the Netherlands although other entry points via Sweden and northern Spain are also quite common, too. Make sure your pallet has been declared in advance with the British authorities using the right EORI reference and commodity coding. Seek expert advice from a customs clearance agent if you have any doubts or it is possible your pallet could be impounded. Note that this is the case even if your goods will end up in Norway, Switzerland, Serbia or somewhere else currently outside of the EU’s customs union.
2. Focus on Pallet Progress Monitoring
Tracking the progress of pallet deliveries to Europe is essential nowadays. According to freight industry experts, a professional freight forwarding company based in Essex, more and more European customers want to know when they can expect their deliveries from British suppliers to arrive. Being able to stay in contact with the driver of your pallet to Europe is a good idea if you want to provide your client(s) with progress updates. Some logistical operators provide radio communications in places where mobile phones don’t reach. This makes sending a pallet to Europe more reliable for meeting tight deadlines and more secure, as well, since you’ll always know where your consignment happens to be.
3. Cost-Effective Ways to Send a Pallet to Europe
If you are exporting lower-value commodities or your timescale for completing an order isn’t that pressing, then a groupage shipment will be the best option. With a groupage rate, the cost of every pallet to Europe on a lorry will be shared among all of the clients of the service. Effectively, the fuel and driver costs are split. Of course, this means the service will end up being a bit slower unless your delivery happens to be the first to be made. That said, the cost savings can be enormous with this method.
4. Fast Ways to Send a Pallet to Europe
A very fast way to get any pallet to Europe is to opt for an express courier service. They’re sometimes able to match or even beat air freight, depending on where in Europe you happen to be talking about. Such deliveries are made using more agile vans that can take alternative routes if European motorways clog up. Some have two drivers onboard to keep the flow of goods moving without the need for extended breaks.
