About Kenn Morris, CrossborderBusiness.com Expertise Kenn Morris is an bilingual expert in Mexico and US-Mexico business issues and crossborder markets. His areas of expertise include Mexico`s maquiladora (manufacturing) and technology industries; US-Mexico market research, border business and consumer markets, Mexican culture and business etiquette; and strategic analysis of Mexico business and political situations. Kenn has over 14 years experience working in various capacities in California-Baja California border region and in key business regions in Mexico (including Nuevo Leon, Jalisco, Mexico City and others). His firm provides border market research, industrial marketing, consulting, and governmental relations services.
Experience Kenn started Crossborder Business Associates in 1996 while living in Mexico, with the goal of providing market research, analysis, and consulting support to both US and Mexican firms interested in business across the border. Since that time, CBA has evolved into Crossborder Group Inc. (www.CrossborderBusiness.com), serving a wide range of clients -- from smaller firms, to Fortune 100 companies, to government agencies and universities -- in such areas as maquiladora research and siting studies, crossborder technology research, border crossing studies, analysis of crossborder economic relationships, marketing strategies and more. In addition to his work for Crossborder Group, he is also the past-coordinator for US-Mexico Business program at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) Extension; and directed UCSD San Diego Dialogue's Crossborder Innovation & Competitiveness Initiative.
Question Mr. Morris,
I have been trying to find a quote for freight cost to ship a 20' container to Dubai, UAE from Atlantic Canada. I will be shipping custom granite countertops and because they are custom i wont know the actual weight until they are finished, can i get a quote without having the weight of the container? where would you suggest to go to find a good rate quote?
Thank you,
Patrick
Answer Hi, Patrick. This is a little outside of my usual territory (Mexico and the US-Mexico border), but I'll give it a try.
One first step I'd suggest would be to reach out to the Canadian export promotions offices. It sounds like you're manufacturing, so you might both be able to get some consulting support and contacts from them, and I'd even look into possible export finance help. Don't know if you've already done this, but here's a link to the ExportCanada website: http://www.export.ca/links.asp
Now, to the main thrust of your question: shipping prices can vary greatly by carrier and season, but you should be able to get a good estimate given that your shipment will likely weigh a certain amount per 20' container. We did a recent analysis for one company on their shipments knowing that a 40' container of steel would reach the maximum weight limit for trucking before the container was even filled -- my guess is that you might have a similar situation (i.e.: you can only put in so much stone before you've reached a maximum weight). So, you should be able to get 3-4 quotes from various logistics companies and you'll have a pretty accurate range of cost.
I can't tell you the best ones to consider - but here's the website for the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association: http://www.ciffa.com/members_directory.asp
Keep in mind that you'll be learning, so you don't have to stick with your initial shipping options - get the product to market, and then start looking for ways to cut costs (and new vendors) as you ramp up your exports.
You also may want to ask some freight forwarders about whether or not there would be any benefit to shipping via ports in the United States. It might be the case that there are more frequent (and thus cheaper) shipping options via a nearby US port (not sure, I'm just speculating), so at least you should check on that option. If the countertops are technically a "Canadian product" under NAFTA, you might be able to have the product enter the US in-bond or just without paying duties and ship via the US.
Keep your options open and good luck. I hope this has been helpful!
-Kenn Morris
President/CEO
Crossborder Group
www.CrossborderBusiness.com
