Cross-border transportation companies can manage meeting various border and region-specific regulations through prior preparation, digital adoption, and maintaining consistent communications.
FREMONT, CA: Each country's unique regulations and restrictions can make managing cross-border freight challenging for shippers, leading to supply chain disruptions. Occasionally overlooked details can cause cross-border shipment delays, putting delivery dates at risk. It is essential to stay up-to-date with government regulations on both sides of the border before developing a strategy that works cross-border.
Despite challenging environments, shipping companies can rely on tried and true best practices. Cross-border freight strategies should include these four key components:
Prioritize preparation: There are many regulations that shippers must follow while submitting several forms of documentation. Complete and correct all forms, such as commercial invoices, bills of lading, and import and export forms, with your cross-border logistics partner. During disruptive times, proactive adjustments and quick thinking are more important than preparation. Shippers need to find out which processes worked best and tweak those that did not after a disruption has passed. It is even more important for them to predict problems and discuss solutions with their logistics partners before the next challenge arises.
Take advantage of technology: Visibility is necessary in cross-border freight operations due to the numerous fast-moving and interlocking components. There are solutions available today that can help keep shipments on track. Onboard telematics can track the shipment from pick up to delivery, including through the cross-dock operations that frequently occur when crossing the border. When integrated with a Transportation Management System (TMS), shippers gain visibility and the ability to manage via exception and focus their energies on the shipments that need urgent attention. Improved shipment visibility can facilitate supply chain optimization, security, and enhanced decision-making.
Maintain open lines of communication: Cross-border shipping can only be successful with constant communication. Coordination of all the key players who will touch the shipment from pickup to delivery is as important as clearly communicating priorities to the logistics provider. It is best to work with a cross-border logistics company with an on-the-ground presence in Mexico to manage communications with Mexican customs agents, carriers, and drivers.
Multimodal solutions: In cross-border freight, trucking is a common method of transportation, but there are other options. It is not uncommon for shippers to turn to their logistics providers when border delays threaten timely delivery. If cross-border shipping delays cause delivery deadlines to slip, working with a service provider who can switch modes can make a positive difference.
