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Products that cross the border are packaged. This packaging is transported using a different type of packaging: tertiary packaging or returnable transport items. When packaging travels and crosses the border, a lot of work is involved. Different parties in the chain are responsible for the packaging and products at various times. How do you make sure that the packaging safely crosses the border and, not unimportantly, returns in the right quantities?
Packaging packaged
Flowers, trees, fruit and vegetables don’t just go loose in the truck and to the customer. It is packaged. Flowers are in buckets, trees in trays, vegetables and fruit in boxes or crates. A box of vegetables of course does not fill a truck, the same goes for a bucket full of flowers. (Reusable) packaging is used for this, such as Danish trolleys, plastic pallets and containers. Tertiary packaging or returnable transport items is the packaging of the packaging, ensuring that the product is not damaged and lorries are filled optimally and do not drive empty kilometers.
Pushing boundaries
Many of the products that are transported by means of tertiary packaging, cross the border. The Netherlands counts about 123 billion euros in Dutch goods exports. The following figures are known in various sectors:
– COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the export of floriculture. In March, April and May, exports of floricultural products were 500 million euros lower than in 2019.
– Exports in horticulture showed a recovery last summer. In the months of June and July, exports increased. For example, exports of cut flowers rose 18% in June and 12% in July. Plant exports rose 45% in June and 26% in July. Subsequently, the market stabilized in August.
– Rabobank is also cautiously positive to say that horticulture is resilient.
– The turnover of the potato, fruit and vegetable sector, the AGF sector, was very high in the months of March and April.
We can safely say that, despite COVID-19, many Dutch products are crossing the border.
Obligatory waybill
The CMR waybill ensures that goods can be exported. It is required for international road transport. It is therefore a mandatory document. This document includes information about the carrier, the consignee, the sender, the external condition of the goods and special instructions. The consignment bill is used both nationally and internationally.
e-CMR always at hand
Nowadays the e-CMR, the digital waybill, exists. This contains the same amount of information, but is digitally available, so you always have it at hand. With the connection between TransFollow and TrackOnline, you have your packaging items in order and the digital waybill at hand. Would you like to know more about this connection? Please feel free to contact us.
Packaging comes back
After the returnable transport items, i.e. packaging, have reached their destination, the intention is to take back packaging as well. Proper registration of packaging is important here. In practice, there are still many discussions about the packaging balance and especially about the numbers of missing packaging. Drawing up clear agreements and insight into the packaging balance for all parties in the chain prevents this discussion.
Do you want to be sure that your packaging goes on a safe journey and also returns? Then invest in the packaging registration platform TrackOnline. This gives you insight into your packaging flows and you will know exactly how much packaging is where. Would you like more information? Please feel free to contact us.
