Road transport

Advantages: tends to be comparatively cheaper and more direct, increased capacity for lorries to carry goods, particularly with the introduction of containers (large steel boxes which allow for bulk transportation), faster services, with road improvements (motorways), accessibility abroad with ferries offering rolling-on and rolling-off facilities, trucks can drive on to a Channel ferry, cross, then drive off without unloading, extensive road networks - scheduled delivery days and next day delivery services are a viable option, you can schedule transport to suit you and you can track the location of goods, consignments can be secure and private

Disadvantages: slower than rail, long distances overland can take more time, there can be traffic delays and breakdowns, there is the risk of goods being damaged, especially over long distances, toll charges are high in some countries, some countries have different road and traffic regulations

Rail transport

Advantages: faster than road (it’s necessary if transporting perishable goods), can haul bulk commodities in greater volume than road transporters

Disadvantages: comparatively more expensive than road haulage, routes and timetables available can be inflexible, especially in remote regions, mechanical failure or industrial action can disrupt services, further transportation may be needed from a rail depot to the final destination, adding to costs and affecting delivery schedules

Air transport

Advantages: is used for speed, particularly over long distances (some goods lose value over time: newspapers), insurance tends to be cheaper, as consignments spend less time in transit

Disadvantages: much more expensive and uneconomical, air transport can involve higher costs than other options, and is not suitable for all goods, flights are subject to delay or cancellation, you will need to pay taxes at each airport you use, fuel and currency surcharges will usually be added to freight costs, further transportation may be needed from the destination airport to the final destination

Sea transport

Advantages: you can ship large volumes at low costs - a freight forwarder can consolidate consignments to reduce costs, shipping containers can also be used for further transportation by road or rail

Disadvantages: shipping by sea can be slower than other transport modes and bad weather can add further delays, routes and timetables are usually inflexible, tracking your goods’ progress is difficult, you have to pay port duties and taxes, further transportation overland will be needed to reach the final destination, basic freight rates are subject to fuel and currency surcharges

Characterize the documents used in shipping and forwarding.

The main document used in air transportation is the Air Waybill (AWB), which consists of 12 copies distributed to the airline, exporter, importer and customs. It’s only a receipt and cannot be transferred to another person.

Consignment notes are used in road and rail transportation. They are not documents of title so ownership of the documents does not mean ownership of the goods. They are not negotiable, i.e. they cannot be bought, sold, transferred by the consignor or the consignee.

Consignment notes and waybills are obtained by the consignor filling out instructions for dispatch form, and paying the freight charges (the cost of sending the goods – внимание!!! это определение термина freight charges).

In the Economic Community, and European Free Trade Area (EFTA) movement certificates are used especially for container shipments, if the consignment is taken through different customs posts to member countries.

The Single Administrative Document (SAD) is an eight-part set of forms for export declarations including many these customs forms since the late 1980s. In addition the Simplified Clearance Procedure (SCP) is also used to make documentation easier for exports and agents.

The customers are kept informed by advice notes which give details of packing and when goods will arrive.