When it comes to logistics, a lot of attention is understandably given to the later stages of the overall service/logistics process: the delivery of goods to retailers and customers.
However, for organisations importing their goods from manufacturers (or the materials with which to manufacture their goods), inbound logistics is an equally critical process.
It’s the process by which goods are imported from overseas (the reason why many of our clients come to us seeking “import logistics” services), unloaded at the port and stored until ready to be transported to retailers, or sold and shipped directly to consumers.
The Importance of Efficient Inbound Logistics Services
As you might imagine, the risks of poor inbound logistics services are clear: delays in fulfilment, drops in sales, and leaving retailers and consumers waiting on your products. Not great for business, relationships or reputation.
But, what are the benefits of import logistics excellence?
- Retailer and consumer satisfaction, by facilitating the smooth, efficient and timely fulfilment or delivery of goods.
- Cost savings and supply chain efficiency: For most 3PL’s, inbound logistics is part of a much broader holistic service, bringing together and optimising supplier management, transportation and warehousing, leading to reduced costs, better lead times, and a more efficient supply chain.
- Improved inventory management and visibility: This connectivity of supplier management, with transportation and storage, along with technology that provides you with visibility and control of your supply chain, enables you to more seamlessly restock, avoid overstocking and stockouts (one of the biggest challenges of the inbound process for clients), and make decisions based on reliable, real-time data.
- More sustainable service: As covered, efficient import logistics processes optimise (amongst other elements) the transport process, leading to reduced fuel costs and emissions. Working with port-centric 3PLs, like Delamode, further reduces mileage, cost and carbon from your supply chain, helping to support your sustainability goals. VAS’s and effective reverse logistics and customs clearance services can also help to minimise wasted inventory.
- Improved supplier relationships, by improving the connectivity and communication between your suppliers and the rest of your supply chain. The efficiency of the import logistics services you receive can also improve your relationships and reputation with retailers and consumers.
- Scale and grow: Working with a logistics partner like Delamode – a one stop solution involved in all elements of the supply chain – with greater adaptivity, purchasing power, and established, optimised infrastructure and processes (including the inbound logistics process) enables you to more easily scale operations by offering you rates that would otherwise be inaccessible.
- Improved compliance: By optimising operations, and creating a more connected supply chain, trusted and effective inbound processes also help to support your compliance.
Delamode’s Inbound Process
So, we’ve covered what inbound logistics is, its importance, and how it can benefit your organisation, operations and supply chain; but what are the features of the process?
While this may differ from 3PL to 3PL, let’s jump into the ins and outs of Delamode’s import logistics process.
Supplier Coordination and Origin Management
Supplier reliability is one of the biggest client challenges when managing the inbound process.
At Delamode, we liaise with your suppliers and manufacturers on your behalf, coordinating collection and shipment schedules to support the timely delivery of goods and minimise delays. We can also consolidate shipments from multiple suppliers.
Transport Management
At Delamode, we know for clients, transport costs vs reliability and consistency is one of your biggest challenges.
We plan and manage the inbound transportation of your goods across road, rail, air and sea. We have a carrier agonistic model, meaning we select the most efficient, cost-effective, trusted solutions for each inbound delivery, and track shipments throughout transit, offering you full visibility of your delivery via our powerful system. We monitor carrier performance and assess associated metrics to make continuous improvements to transport services over time.
Customs Management & Compliance
Our inbound logistics services include managing the entire customs clearance process, to ensure the smooth receipt of your inbound goods. We support you with customs procedures, duties and regulatory requirements, accurately complete relevant customs documentation, and ensure your compliance with UK and international trade regulations.
Goods Receipt & Quality Processes
When we receive your inbound deliveries at either our Southampton (UK) or Roosendaal (Netherlands) warehousing facilities, we verify quantities against the shipping documentation, record and report discrepancies, shortages or damages, and ensure goods are entered accurately into inventory systems.
Warehousing & Inventory Management
Your received inbound goods are stored at the most strategically appropriate warehouse (UK or Netherlands). Our single powerful WMS offers you real-time visibility and control of your goods, we manage inventory accuracy through regular stock control processes, optimise storage locations to improve operation efficiency and update your ERP systems.
Inbound Logistics Best Practises – The Delamode Approach
- Plan before inbound deliveries arrive – We use advanced shipping notices, pre-book deliveries and ensure all relevant documentation is completed before goods reach either of our warehouse facilities.
- Verifying goods – A critical early stage of the inbound logistics process, we check shipment quantities, conditions, labelling and documentation against shipping paperwork and purchase orders.
- Maintaining inventory accuracy – We use a powerful WMS, barcode scanning and real-time stock updates to provide you with full visibility and traceability of your inventory.
- Strategic storage – Our team follows efficient and effective put-away processes, using FIFO and FEFO principles. This import logistics practice ensures your stock keeps turning in an efficient way.
- Compliance prioritisation – Our customs clearance team ensures that your inbound shipments’ customs declarations, commodity codes, origin documentation, and import records are completed, accurate, and up-to-date.
- AEO and bonded warehousing standards – Clients of our bonded warehousing services can rest assured that Delamode meets all AEO and bonded storage standards, by maintaining secure, auditable stock controls and ensuring the clear segregation of products as required.
- Supporting health and safety – We consider health and safety carefully when conducting our inbound logistics processes, by following safe unloaded practices, MHE best practices , and warehouse safety protocols.
- Performance analysis and improvement – Our team monitors receiving accuracy, dock-to-stock times, damage rates, and supplier and carrier compliance to drive improvement over time.
Your New 3PL Partner
At Delamode, we provide end-to-end 3PL services.
We’re a one-stop-shop partner, leaving you no need to work with additional logistics organisations. Choose Delamode to streamline your entire supply chain, not just the inbound logistics process.
Speak to our friendly, experienced team of logistics specialists today, and enquire about how we can support your organisation with:
- Inbound/import logistics
- Bonded and non-bonded warehousing
- Ecommerce fulfilment
- Reverse logistics
- Freight shipping services
