Shipping products on your own comes with a steep learning curve. That’s where GPI comes in. If you’re new to the process, it can feel like navigating a maze of risks, paperwork headaches, unexpected fees, and endless abbreviations. GPI takes all of that off your plate so you can focus on what you do best: creating great products. With over 40 years of experience working with hundreds of clients, big and small, new and veteran, we’ve learned a thing or two about smooth shipping.
What could possibly go wrong?
Arranging international freight forwarding might seem simple at first, and no-frills pricing can look appealing, but appearances can be deceiving.
- Lost or damaged product: Not all forwarders include ocean insurance in their quotes. Without the right protection, a bumpy journey can mean costly replacements when you least expect it. We once experienced a container full of product falling off a container ship in the middle of the ocean. It’s rare, but when it happens, the impact is huge. Ocean insurance saved that customer from a monumental expense that no one could have prevented.
- Missed deadlines for retailers: Some retailers handle pickup from the factory, but others rely on you to meet tight delivery timelines. Any delays in navigating the shipping process can hurt your relationship with the retailer and result in some costly penalties.
- Customs and tariffs: Constantly changing rules and paperwork can make your head spin, especially with inconsistent information from the powers that be. The tariffs could change while your shipment is on the water, which would impact your landed cost significantly. You’ll want to work with a forwarder that keeps you up to date.
- Paperwork nightmares: Shipping involves dozens of fees, forms, and certificates just to get your product to an overseas port. Was there a required declaration form to get through customs that you didn’t know about? A certificate you didn’t file for? Port fees you haven’t paid?
- Costly mistakes: Small errors are easy to make and often expensive if you don’t know where to look. Opportunities for fees are at every turn. The overseas port, the US port, or even the delivery to the warehouse has the chance to incur additional costs if all of your information and understanding isn’t spot on.
Our Solutions
We’ve spent decades shipping products worldwide, so we’ve seen and solved it all. Here’s how we make shipping easier and more reliable:
- Single point of communication: You and your Account Managers work directly with our Logistics Coordinator, Erin. She’s your bridge between product and process, so you’re not juggling multiple contacts, freight forwarders, brokers, or carriers.
- Customs and compliance expertise: We ensure paperwork is correct the first time, avoiding costly mistakes.
- Insurance coverage: Not all coverage is equal or included. We know what you need and secure it for you.
- Transparency and real-time updates: Once we have the information, you get it, with no surprises.
- Flexibility: Air, sea, full container, shared container, we help you find the right fit for your timeline and budget.
But, how?
Freight challenges continue to grow under the current administration, making expertise more important than ever:
- Tariffs: We track the latest tariff changes and explain how they affect your products.
- Freight estimates: You get a clear, line-by-line breakdown of costs, including taxes and tariffs, before committing, so there are no surprises.
- Value: The cheapest option often ends up costing more. Less-reputable forwarders may lure customers with low rates but hit them with hidden fees once the product is en route.
Ready to ship smarter?
Let GPI handle your shipping. We only ship products we manufacture, which means we are invested in making sure they reach your customers safely, on time, and without hidden headaches.
