Securing High-Value Cargo: 9 Key Practices and Insights

9 Effective Strategies to Protect Your Cargo

Insure your Shipment

The easiest and most hassle-free way for brands to ensure safety is to insure their stuff. A typical cargo insurance plan provides protection against theft, damage, or other issues that occur during transit. Please note that most insurance policies don’t recover damages due to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, or storms.

Why is insurance necessary for shipments to and from Thailand?

In a business transaction, the terms of sale stipulated who is in charge of the products' shipment. Put otherwise, they indicate who is responsible for paying for what the seller or the consumer obtaining documents:

-Permits and Licenses

-Customs duty and taxes for freight forwarding agents

Cargo theft is becoming more common than ever. You will be surprised to know that such incidents went up by 57% in 2023 We compared to 2022. Translated into monetary terms, the value of stolen goods is around USD 130 million. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as reporting stolen cargo is not mandatory and many businesses avoid it due to the complexities of the process.

 Which risk are covered by cargo insurance?

Every risk theft and non-delivery of a package are covered under cargo insurance. In the event of an accident, explosion, or ship combustion, the entire consignment would be insured, even in the event that the merchandise was completely lost.

Additional dangers associated with protected cargo include:

• Weather-related damage
• Freshwater or saltwater
• Poor storage practices by the delivery business
• Mud and grease damage
• Services for fumigation

Select the Right Shipping Company

The shipping partner you select plays a vital role in ensuring cargo safety. Here are some tips to select the best shipper as per your business nature.

Siam Shipping offers comprehensive cargo insurance, making it a wise choice to protect your goods during transit. Don't hesitate to contact them for a free quote and advice on customs clearance, packing, pick-up and delivery. Now let's jump to the criteria of selecting a right shipping company : 

01. Reliability

Select a shipper that is reliable. Instead of going with a company with a lower level of service (LOS) rates, pick one with high charges, as it is more likely to provide better service. You can confirm their reliability by checking their delivery success rate and customer feedback. Don’t forget to check that they offer insurance for your goods or not.

02. Cost & Delivery Time

We know that better services come at higher rates, but the cost should not be so high that it affects your profits greatly. Further, ensure that the delivery time is as per your business needs.

03. Capacity

Check the capacity of the shipper and make sure that they can fully handle your load. If you are shipping cross-border, only go with companies that know all the intricacies of international freight regulations.

04. Sustainability and Safety

The shipper you select must have a track record of delivering items safe and sound. Moreover, check that it has a clean environmental record and prefers sustainable shipping practices, such as using EV trucks.

Effective and Timely Communication with Shipping Partner

Once you have selected the right shipping partner as per your needs, don’t forget to stay in touch with them and get updates on your cargo’s location and safety periodically. Staying up-to-date with your shipping partner can help you timely solve any issues that may arise during logistics.

If you are using 1st party logistics, make sure your loaders, unloaders, and drivers are fully trained. The vehicles you are using must be in good condition so they don’t break down during transit.

Use Tracking Mechanisms

Tracking in-transit items is not only vital to managing supply chains but ensures your cargo’s safety as well. It also plays a key role in optimizing business operations and providing better customer service. Modern-day brands can use the following techniques to get real-time tracking and guarantee the safety of their goods.

1. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID): RFID tags are attached to goods as they send and receive radio signals and store broadcasted information on a chip. This method is commonly used for high-value goods.
2. Satellite Tracking & Global Positioning System: The most frequently used tools to track a parcel’s real time location. These use the existing mobile networks and help track the exact location of goods in case of a theft.
3. API Integration in Logistics: Application program interfaces, or APIs, help integrate businesses and people. Brands can use APIs to speed up logistics and share real-time data using automated processes.
4. Internet of Things (IoT): Ensuring cargo safety is not one man’s task; it involves various parties at different places. The Internet of Things can help you maintain a connected ecosystem and deliver maximum information needed in case of a theft.

Use the Right Type of Boxes to Pack Your Goods alt:good for high value cargo

It is pertinent to highlight that the packaging you use to pack small items also matter a lot when it comes to ensuring safety. In this regard, brands can opt for the right material to get the best results. The different options in this realm are cardboard, Kraft, and corrugated stock. For enhanced protection, you can opt for rigid paperboard to house luxury items.

Moreover, the box design is also a critical factor. Some designs, like 1-2-3 bottom and custom auto lock boxes, are great, as they keep the items inside intact and protected. Another tip here is to properly cushion your items during transit. You can use bubble wrap for additional protection against shocks. Similarly, using tamper-proof packaging lets your customers know that boxes have not been opened or altered in any way. Such boxes are frequently used for high-value goods or sensitive items like medicines.

Correct Labelling

It is very important to label your shipment in the right way. This can ensure cargo safety by telling loaders and unloaders what’s inside the box and how to handle it. Here are some types of labels commonly used in shipping.

• Fragile: Indicate that the items inside are delicate and must be handled with care.
• Dot Labels: Used to denote that the contents are corrosive, flammable, explosive, or poisonous. Skipping these labels can be extremely dangerous, as it could pose a serious risk to life and property.
• Arrow Labels: Often used for large electronics, they tell the handlers which side should go up.
• International Shipping Labels: These contain general information about the products and special handling instructions during international transit.
• No-Double Stacking: Informs the loaders that nothing should be placed atop the box.
• Keep Refrigerated: Tells the carrier that the contents must be kept cool. Labels on sensitive items also mention the required temperature.
• Liftgate Required: Indicates that a liftgate is needed for loading and unloading.

Secured Loading, Unloading, and Lashing

The way your boxes are loaded on the transportation medium (truck, ship, or plane) plays a vital role in ensuring safety. A proper loading makes sure that the cargo is well-balanced and avoids shifting, tipping, and sliding during transit.

Shippers make use of different techniques depending on the nature of the goods being transported. These include using straps, lashes, chains, braces, and dunnage. The use of load bars and cargo nets is also important in ensuring balance while the cargo is on the move.

Mode of Transportation

The four commonly used ways of transporting your goods are by road, air, or sea.

• Trucking is the cheapest option and is best used for intracity, intercity, or countries sharing borders by road. This option is flexible, but it is highly susceptible to theft
• Ocean shipping is also budget-friendly, but it exposes cargo to moisture. Moreover, it also takes a lot of time to ship items by sea.
• The third option, via air, is the costliest, quickest, and safest of all but comes with the risk of damage due to bad handling and turbulence, especially for delicate products. These risks can be reduced by using proper labeling and selecting airlines that focus on big-load shipping.
• Express shipping services, which offer quick and dependable domestic and international products delivery, are an essential part of Thailand's logistics and transportation sector. Thailand is a major hub for express shipping services due to its advantageous location at the intersection of major shipping routes in Southeast Asia.

Follow Custom Regulations

Most brands see custom rules as a set of policies put in place to complicate the entire shipping process. However, this isn’t true. These rules are made to ensure a smooth flow and avoid any catastrophes during the entire logistics process.

So, it is better to follow these laws fully, as this will guarantee your goods’ safety against many dangers. There are many companies that help businesses follow these rules. It may increase the cost slightly, but it is worth every cent.

Conclusion 

Securing high-value cargo requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes safety, efficiency, and compliance. By implementing the 9 key practices outlined in this article, businesses can navigate the complexities of transporting valuable goods while minimizing risks and maximizing protection. If you need any extra guidance in your cargo shipping process, feel free to turn to DocShipper experts to help you with few Minutes!