Local and inland connections
Consider vehicle capacity, loading access, border requirements and final delivery arrangements. Road transport can also connect a sea or air shipment to its next destination.
A PRACTICAL STARTING POINT
Choose the journey
around your cargo.
Road, sea and air each serve different requirements. Start with the route, the goods, your timing and the full scope of the move.
Container and project movements
Consider shipment volume, container suitability, consolidation, port handling and sailing schedules. Include the inland legs when comparing the complete scope.
Time-sensitive requirements
Consider the deadline, dimensions, weight, cargo acceptance and handling needs. Flight availability and collection or delivery arrangements influence the final plan.
SEA FREIGHT EXPLAINED
Dedicated container
or shared space?
FCL gives one shipment dedicated container use; the container does not have to be completely full. LCL combines smaller consignments in shared container space.
Consolidation adds handling steps. Ask how origin handling, destination charges and inland delivery fit into the quote, rather than comparing only the ocean leg.
Further reading: Maersk’s FCL and LCL guide ↗. Educational reference; no GMP partnership is implied.
Compare the complete scope
- What is included?Collection, terminals, transport and final delivery.
- What is excluded?Clarify duties, taxes, inspections, storage, insurance and other charges.
- What needs confirming?Carrier acceptance, document requirements, equipment and schedules.
SPECIALIST AIR CARGO
Declare handling needs
before the booking.
Dangerous goods require appropriate classification, packaging, marking, labelling and documentation. Carrier acceptance must be checked by qualified specialists.
For perishables or temperature-sensitive goods, communicate the product’s temperature and handling requirements at the inquiry stage so the proposed service can be assessed.
GMP’s inquiry form helps gather requirements; submitting a form does not certify that goods are acceptable for carriage.
Further reading: IATA dangerous goods guidance ↗ and IATA perishables guidance ↗.
YOUR INQUIRY CHECKLIST
- Commodity and packaging description
- Gross weight, dimensions, quantity and units
- Origin, destination and handover points
- Cargo ready date and delivery deadline
- Special handling and known documentation needs