Assignment Planning, Essay Example

Introduction

For popular products that are shipped internationally, there is often a systematic process of logistics that enables the goods to be moved from the origin to the destination. In particular, the modes of transportation, the service providers, transportation costs, routing options, transit times, documentation requirements and insurance needs in relation to the production of electronics in Japan to be sold in America, will be outlined and discussed herein.

Modes of Transportation

When transporting goods, such as electronics, from the location of the supplier to the location of the buyer, there are many modes of transportation available. However, there are certain appropriate modes of transport that are suitable when transporting electronics from Tokyo, Japan, to Long Beach, California. In particular, the most appropriate would be sea freight and air freight.

The Japan-America Shuttle, in terms of shipping, is commonly used to transport products from Japan to the Californian ports, by utilizing extensive connectivity on an international scale, from major cities to costal ports. Such port rotation links trading hubs, though many cities are separated by land and sea; it is still considered one of the most cost effective and popular ways to transport goods and arrange logistics between countries. In addition, once the goods have been transported from Japan to the United States, it will need to be transported via air freight to the buyer’s location, which can be arranged both quickly and efficiently, as discussed below.

Service Providers

There are two major service providers available when transporting goods, such as electronics, between two different countries. American President Lines (APL) is one of the pioneering leaders in sea freight, especially in regards to its Intermodal transportation methods. Its JAS line is often used to transport goods between Japan and the United States on a regular basis¹.

Secondly, the United Parcel Service (UPS) is one of the most commonly used providers in both local and international services, including air freight. It has a quick turnaround time and is known for its prompt and professional service. As an American company, it caters for all incoming international goods that have to be transported internally within major cities in the country.

Transportation Costs

When considering logistics and associated costs, there is a varying amount of uncertainty, in terms of the amount of goods that can be transported and the timeframe when considering company deadlines. Generally speaking, it is estimated that transporting goods such as electronics between Japan and the United States, on a regular basis, would cost approximately a few thousand dollars. However, these costs would take into consideration the quantity, weight, length, breadth, type of goods and shipping deadlines when calculating the necessary estimate².

Routing Options and Transit Times

Although there are many options, in terms of routing goods internationally, the Japan-America Shuttle, as aforementioned, is a viable option that, via sea freight, transports goods frequently between Japan and the United States.

However, in terms of transit times, these may vary, depending on the anticipated route, the length of journey, and the supplier or buyer deadline, if any. As a rule of thumb, sea freight usually takes between thirty to sixty days between the origin and destination when using international logistics, such as APL. From the destination point, it then takes one to three days using a service such as UPS Air Freight Direct³.

Documentation Requirements

Usually, there is an uncertain amount of paperwork that must be completed by both the supplier and the buyer during such an important business transaction. This documentation is often organised by the freight company that both companies agree on using.

Nevertheless, due to improving technology, most of the documentation requirements are able to be completed online, in both an efficient and effective manner. Using only one online form, it is possible to coordinate both sea and air freight logistics, determine transportation details, and calculate relevant costs.

Insurance Needs

All related insurance needed when transporting such goods as electronics from Japan to the United States is included in the necessary documentation and also arranged by the sea and air freight companies. This ensures that the process is streamlined, and both supplier and buyer are informed.

Conclusion

In summary, the planning process when transporting goods such as electronics from the point of production in Tokyo, Japan, to the buyer’s destination in Long Beach, California is a streamlined operation arranged by the sea and air freight companies coordination logistics. Both APL and UPS are the leaders in such logistical operations, and assist in every step of the process as discussed above, to ensure that goods are efficiently and effectively moved from one country to the other.

Works Cited

“Asia-North America Routes.” APL. APL Limited, 2013. Web. July 2013.

“Cargo Quotes.” One Entry. One Entry, 2013. Web. July 2013.

“International Air Freight.” UPS. United Parcel Service of America, 2013. Web. July 2013.