UNIVERSAL FREIGHT LOGISTICS

Why choose Universal Freight Logistics?

1. Is UFL big enough to handle your global business?

   If it is important your goods are shipped with the first sailing vessel then you should work with UFL, who has various carrier contracts. This is also very important in peak season when space can become a problem. UFL has more than one carrier option so the chance of your cargo getting on board is higher.
   

    

2. Does UFL have a good network of global agents at origin/destination ports?

   UFL has a good network of overseas agents which ensures a smooth information flow that helps you to know where your shipment is and that you get your product in a timely manner.

    

3. How is the communication level between you and UFL?

   UFL always provides a personal service to you, our customers. We are always a phone call or email away, whatever your preference.
   

Quotation Requests

1. What you should know when requesting a Freight Quote?

   Origin/Destination:

   The most basic required information is to know where the cargo needs to be picked up and where it needs to be delivered. Pay attention to your agreement with your supplier, and find out what exactly your supplier is responsible for. Are they only loading the container, and it needs to be picked up from the factory/warehouse or are they delivering the container to the closest port?

   Equipment/Container Size:

   The most commonly used containers are 20 ft, 40 ft and 40 ft high cube. Your supplier can provide this information according to the amount of goods you have ordered,or you can check with UFL.

   Transit Time:

   Inform UFL if you need a fast service or not. Some carriers have longer transit time with better rates, and significant cost savings can be made if your shipment is not time sensitive.

   Merchandise Ready Date:

   This is also very important information to have. Ocean freight rates are seasonal and change frequently. Even if you don’t have an exact date, provide an estimate.

   Customs Clearance:

   Customs clearance needs to be done at the destination country according to country regulations. Inform UFL if you are in need of this service.
   

   Charges at Destination:

   As each country has their own regulations, just as each port has different charges. Find out if there are any additional charges at the port of destination.

   Door Delivery:

   If you need to deliver the container to a specific address, provide the full address to UFLyour forwarder to get an exact door delivery rate. Try to determine how long it would take to unload the container at final destination. This could prove to be an extra cost, as most truckers give 2 hours free time then charge by the hour after that.

   Commodity:

   Always inform UFL about the product that you are shipping. If it’s a hazardous shipment, please advise the UN # and Class code or a MSDS form as it requires special permits to carry the cargo.

    

2. What you should know when requesting an Insurance Quote?

   • Commodity

   • Port of Loading & Discharge

   • Transshipment points (if any)

   • Value of cargo

LCL - Less Than Container Load

1. What are the advantages of using a LCL service?

   • It will decreases the shipping cost; you are paying for the portion of the space you are using.

   • For inland, you can either drop or pick up the cargo from the CFS/bonded warehouse where they load or unload the container.

   • Your supplier can also palletize smaller boxes to eliminate shipping cost extra volume charges.

    

2. What are the disadvantages of using a LCL service?

   • The transit time for LCL shipments is 2-3 weeks longer than that of a Full Container Load.
   

   • If one of the consignee's cargo in the container is subject to Customs examination, the whole container will get examined. This will cause a delay with the loading of the container onboard the vessel.

   • Another delay occurs once the container arrives at the final port of discharge, as the container needs to be transfered to the CFS warehouse for stripping. It will take about 1-2 days from terminal to the CFS, then an additional 3-4 days for the stripping of container, before your cargo is available for pick up.

    

3. What are the common charges applied to LCL shipments?

   • Ocean Freight

   • Destination Terminal Handling

   • Unstuffing
   

INCOTERMS

1. What are INCOTERMS?

   The Incoterms rules or International Commercial terms are a series of pre-defined commercial terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) that are widely used in International commercial transactions. A series of three-letter trade terms related to common contractual sales practices, the Incoterms rules are intended primarily to clearly communicate the tasks, costs, and risks associated with the transportation and delivery of goods.

    

2. What are the different INCOTERMS?

    

   Any mode of transport:

   The seven rules defined by Incoterms 2010 for any mode(s) of transportation are:-

    

   EXW – Ex Works (named place of delivery)The seller makes the goods available at his/her premises. The buyer is responsible for uploading. This term places the maximum obligation on the buyer and minimum obligations on the seller. The Ex Works term is often used when making an initial quotation for the sale of goods without any costs included. EXW means that a seller has the goods ready for collection at his premises (works, factory, warehouse, plant) on the date agreed upon. The buyer pays all transportation costs and also bears the risks for bringing the goods to their final destination. The seller doesn't load the goods on collecting vehicles and doesn't clear them for export. If the seller does load the good, he does so at buyer's risk and cost. If parties wish seller to be responsible for the loading of the goods on departure and to bear the risk and all costs of such loading, this must be made clear by adding explicit wording to this effect in the contract of sale.

   FCA – Free Carrier (named place of delivery)The seller delivers goods, cleared for export, to the buyer-designated carrier at a named location. This is used for any mode of transport. The seller must load goods onto the buyer's carrier. The key document signifying transfer of responsibility is receipt by carrier to exporter.

   CPT – Carriage Paid To (named place of destination)The seller pays for carriage. Risk transfers to buyer upon handing goods over to the first carrier at place of shipment in the country of export.

   This term is used for all kind of shipments.

   CIP – Carriage and Insurance Paid to (named place of destination)The containerized transport/multimodal equivalent of CIF. Seller pays for carriage and insurance to the named destination point, but risk passes when the goods are handed over to the first carrier.

   DAT – Delivered at Terminal (named terminal at port or place of destination)Seller pays for carriage to the terminal, except for costs related to import clearance, and assumes all risks up to the point that the goods are unloaded at the terminal.

   DAP – Delivered at Place (named place of destination)Seller pays for carriage to the named place, except for costs related to import clearance, and assumes all risks prior to the point that the goods are ready for unloading by the buyer.

   DDP – Delivered Duty Paid (named place of destination)Seller is responsible for delivering the goods to the named place in the country of the buyer, and pays all costs in bringing the goods to the destination including import duties and taxes. The seller is responsible for unloading. This term is often used in place of the non-Incoterm "Free In Store (FIS)". This term places the maximum obligations on the seller and minimum obligations on the buyer.

   Sea and inland waterway transport:

   The four rules defined by Incoterms 2010 for international trade where transportation is entirely conducted by water are:

   FAS – Free Alongside Ship (named port of shipment)The seller must place the goods alongside the ship at the named port. The seller must clear the goods for export. Suitable only for maritime transport but NOT for multimodal sea transport in containers (see Incoterms 2010, ICC publication 715). This term is typically used for heavy-lift or bulk cargo.

   FOB – Free on Board (named port of shipment)The seller must load the goods on board the vessel nominated by the buyer. Cost and risk are divided when the goods are actually on board of the vessel. The seller must clear the goods for export. The term is applicable for maritime and inland waterway transport only but NOT for multimodal sea transport in containers (see Incoterms 2010, ICC publication 715). The buyer must instruct the seller the details of the vessel and the port where the goods are to be loaded, and there is no reference to, or provision for, the use of a carrier or forwarder. This term has been greatly misused over the last three decades ever since Incoterms 1980 explained that FCA should be used for container shipments.
   

   It means, the seller pays for transportation of goods to the port of shipment, loading cost. The buyer pays cost of marine freight transportation, insurance, uploading and transportation cost from the arrival port to destination. The passing of risk occurs when the goods pass the ship's rail at port of shipment.

   CFR – Cost and Freight (named port of destination)Seller must pay the costs and freight to bring the goods to the port of destination. However, risk is transferred to the buyer once the goods are loaded on the vessel. Insurance for the goods is NOT included. This term is formerly known as CNF (C&F). Maritime transport only.

   CIF – Cost, Insurance and Freight (named port of destination)Exactly the same as CFR except that the seller must in addition procure and pay for the insurance. Maritime transport only.

    

FALCON PAQ

1. What is FALCON PAQ?

   FALCON PAQ is the personal/business Skybox division of Universal Freight Logistics. We provide our customers a US shipping address in Miami, Florida to which they can ship all their cargo. Upon receiving the cargo, we process it and air freight to Trinidad. We will then clear the cargo through customs and deliver to their home or business place. Our warehouse in Miami is fully equipped to handle thousands of pounds of cargo daily, and commercial and business cargo can be crated, palletized, boxed based on our customers' specific requirement.

2. Why FALCON PAQ?

   Our team members have over four decades combined experience in the logistics, courier and customer service business.

   We pass on our savings to our customers.

   We offer door to door pick-up and delivery.

   Our dedicated workforce is committed to true customer service and satisfaction

   Just as the Peregrine Falcon is renowned for its speed, FALCON PAQ promises to ensure all our customers packages are handled with most importantly Speed, whilst also providing Reliability, Cost Effective Service.