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In a globalized market, expanding into foreign markets is one of the most important strategic decisions a company can make for its growth. However, making the leap into international markets is no easy task. Companies often make the mistake of thinking that international logistics consists solely of hiring trucks to move pallets from point A to point B. The operational reality is much more complex, which is why an integrated international logistics operator has become a key factor in the competitiveness of exporters and importers.
Choosing the right partner to manage your international supply chain can make all the difference when it comes to ensuring efficient distribution, reducing incidents, and controlling logistics costs. But what should you really look for to make the right choice? In this article, we analyze the main technical and operational criteria you should evaluate when selecting an international logistics operator, from its experience and operational capacity to the resources, infrastructure, and services it makes available to its clients.
Own Fleet vs. Outsourcing: The Value of Direct Control
The first major dilemma facing an exporting company is deciding which transportation model best suits its needs: working with an intermediary that coordinates the service through a network of partner carriers, or relying on an international logistics operator with its own fleet. During peak agricultural seasons, consumption spikes, or unexpected increases in demand, having your own resources can make all the difference in ensuring vehicle availability and meeting delivery deadlines.
Working with an international logistics operator that provides its own assets offers unparalleled operational advantages:
- Flexibility in the face of unforeseen events: Having your own vehicles makes it easier to respond to last-minute changes in orders, schedule adjustments, or additional transportation needs, reducing dependence on third-party availability.
- Traceability and temperature control: Having your own refrigerated vehicles allows for greater control over refrigeration systems, temperature monitoring, and transport traceability. For perishable goods, this control is especially important for maintaining the cold chain during international shipments.
- Modern and Efficient Fleets: Vehicle renewal allows for the incorporation of units with more efficient technologies and engines that comply with European emissions standards, such as Euro 6. This helps reduce the environmental impact of operations and improve the efficiency of international transportation.
Multi-temperature capacity and cold storage: Dry and Cold
An international logistics operator must have a storage infrastructure capable of adapting to the needs of each operation. This is especially important during seasonal campaigns, spikes in demand, or situations in which goods must be stored before continuing their distribution. Having dedicated space allows for the coordination of transportation and storage within a single operation.
When evaluating a logistics partner, it is important to assess not only the available space but also what types of goods can be stored and what operations can be performed:
- Dry and refrigerated storage: The availability of different storage areas allows for the management of general cargo and products that require temperature-controlled storage. In the case of refrigerated products, cold storage rooms ensure that proper conditions are maintained throughout the storage period.
- Capacity to handle peaks in demand: During agricultural seasons, periods of higher consumption, or temporary increases in production, having additional space allows for receiving goods, storing them temporarily, and organizing shipments according to customer needs.
- Integrated Services: Warehousing becomes more valuable when the same operator can perform other operations on the goods, such as picking and order fulfillment, cross-docking, repalletizing, receiving and inspecting goods, or managing rejected items. In this way, different stages of the logistics chain can be coordinated from a single infrastructure.
For a company operating in international markets, this capability allows the international logistics operator to act as a hub between the origin and destination, facilitating the management of goods when volumes or delivery times require greater storage capacity.
Customs Authorizations: Streamlining International Operations
When a company operates in markets outside the European Union, customs management becomes a critical part of the logistics operation. Documentation, inspections, and various procedures can affect the time it takes for goods to be released, so working with an international logistics operator that has facilities authorized for specific operations can simplify management and reduce unnecessary travel.
When choosing a logistics partner, it is advisable to find out what customs authorizations their facilities hold and what operations they are authorized to perform:
- Customs Warehouse (DA): Allows for the storage of non-EU goods under a suspensive customs procedure, such that import duties and other associated charges are suspended while the goods remain under this procedure.
- LAME (Authorized Location for Export Goods): This allows export customs clearance to be carried out directly at the logistics operator’s facilities. This facilitates the preparation of goods for departure from the European Union and can reduce travel and the time associated with export processing.
International Quality Certifications: Safety and Control
When choosing an international logistics operator, certifications are also a factor to consider, especially when working with food products. These accreditations demonstrate that transportation and storage processes comply with specific requirements for quality, safety, and traceability.
- IFS Logistics: Sets requirements to ensure product safety and quality during storage, transportation, and distribution, which is particularly relevant in the food sector.
- Organic certification: For companies that handle organic products, working with a certified operator ensures that storage and handling are carried out in accordance with the requirements established for this type of goods.
Antonio Marco’s Integrated Value Proposition
At Antonio Marco, we understand that your international business demands the utmost precision. That’s why we don’t just transport or store goods; we integrate ourselves into your supply chain to serve as your trusted international logistics provider in the Spanish Levante and Murcia.
We offer you a state-of-the-art infrastructure certified under the prestigious IFS Logistics standard and authorized as an eco-friendly warehouse:
- Own fleet: More than 150 refrigerated vehicles equipped with state-of-the-art technology and geolocation, with regular routes to France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, northern Italy, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
- Our own network of warehouses: Over 50,000 m² of logistics capacity at our facilities in San Isidro, Los Montesinos, Pla de la Vallonga, and Abanilla, with spaces for dry and refrigerated goods and various management and handling services.
- Customs services: Facilities with a Customs Bonded Warehouse (DA) and LAME, which allow for the integration of certain customs operations with warehousing and international transportation.
Outsourcing your international logistics to a partner that physically controls every link in the chain—from the loading dock to the European delivery point—is the only way to ensure safe, efficient, and predictable international growth.
Contact our team to ensure the success of your distribution in Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions When Choosing an International Logistics Operator
1. What is the difference between a freight forwarder and an integrated logistics provider?
A freight forwarder coordinates transportation by contracting the necessary services from various providers, while an integrated logistics provider can directly manage part of the operation using its own resources, such as vehicles, warehouses, and personnel. For the customer, this can simplify coordination, improve responsiveness to unforeseen events, and provide greater control over the goods.
2. Why is it important for a logistics provider to have LAME authorization?
The LAME (Authorized Location for Export Goods) authorization allows certain export customs formalities to be completed directly at the operator’s authorized facilities. This can reduce travel and streamline the preparation of goods for departure from the European Union.
3. How does the use of Euro 6 trucks impact European distribution?
Euro 6 vehicles comply with European emissions standards applicable to heavy-duty vehicles and allow for better adaptation to the environmental restrictions being implemented in various cities and regions across Europe. For an international logistics operator, maintaining an up-to-date fleet helps ensure more efficient distribution that is tailored to current requirements.
4. What security systems should an international logistics operator provide?
For international shipments—especially those involving high-volume or high-value goods—the operator must be required to have GPS tracking systems active 24/7 on both the tractor unit and the refrigerated semi-trailer. Likewise, it is advisable for trailers to be equipped with remote door-opening control systems, integrated temperature sensors that send real-time alerts in the event of temperature fluctuations en route, and cargo insurance that covers the actual replacement value.