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The shipment of pharmaceutical products requires special knowledge, in which logistics plays a critical and vital role. Many pharmaceuticals are exceedingly delicate and must be delivered on schedule in order to guarantee and assure their quality. In addition, medicines can also be expensive. The pharmaceutical industry is a big business, influencing the global economy, employment opportunities, and the well-being of many people.
The freight forwarding sector has a responsibility and liability when they aim to ship these types of products. While maintaining the highest quality standards, they have to make sure to send safely and timely and offer their services competitively.
It should not be surprising that such a sensitive matter comes with challenges and requires specific knowledge and special precautions.
Let’s look at ways to transport pharmaceuticals, their logistics that are part of the cold chain process, and the complexities and challenges associated with Shipping Pharmaceuticals.
Although the handling and transporting of medicines by road and sea carry high risks, which we will inform you about later, it is the best way to control the cargo. This is due to the use of refrigerated containers called reefers. These containers offer perfect control over the conditions in which the pharmaceuticals are stored and transported.
The transportation of pharmaceuticals requires unique temperature ranges, management, and strict regulation codes to ensure they are delivered safely without losing their potency and quality.
Air transport is the fastest option for transporting pharmaceuticals due to the lower risk of delays and the chance to redirect a route within a few hours. Transportation by air brings some benefits, especially for long distances and pharmaceutical products with a short shelf life.
Something to keep in mind, though, is that air transport has limited equipment and comes with a higher cost. In contrast, sea transport can easily organize logistics and control cargo conditions using reefers.
Pharmaceutical transportations are temperature-controlled shipments, making them part of cold chain logistics. The cold chain is almost like a gold chain that must never be broken since the slightest temperature change can ruin the product.
The cold chain process works with phases, such as;
Supply
This phase involves the manufacturing and packaging of pharmaceutical products.
Transportation
Pharmaceutical products from the manufacturer or warehouse should be collected and transported in refrigerated or insulated containers. During the journey, the technology in the container will document time and temperature changes.
Storage
This phase is about keeping the pharmaceutical products in cold storage in a refrigerated warehouse before being distributed to their final destination.
Market
The last phase of the process is the delivery of pharmaceutical products. Logistics focus on getting them to their final destination, where they are sold or administered.
Transportation of sensitive Medical Supplies (as well as other time-sensitive, risky materials) poses many challenges, starting with the biggest one:
Maintaining the right temperature
Temperature control management should be managed throughout the whole chain to ensure quality and safety and prevent them from becoming useless or even dangerous. Many handover points within the pharmaceutical chain can weaken or damage the cargo.
Besides the importance of temperature-controlled transportation, there are other challenges in the complexity of pharmaceutical transportation;
Transit time
Pharmaceuticals are loaded and shipped at a higher priority than other cargo. While working with external factors such as airline carriers, there are chances of delay, overbooking, or loading without priority due to express services.
A consequence could be that the pharmaceuticals will not be loaded and shipped in time, with the risk of cargo going outside acceptable temperature ranges. One can choose express shipping, which comes with extra costs to ensure the shipping of medications. Shipping pharmaceuticals comes with knowing possible scenarios and weighing the options before making a choice.
Proper protection
Protecting pharmaceuticals can come and be done in many forms. The special cargo should be protected against external contamination, temperature fluctuations, harmful sunlight, humidity, and more. Being stored and packed under suitable conditions will preserve the product.
As some pharmaceuticals can be of great value, they are prone to be stolen. Theft protection should be another serious concern on the list.
It is important to secure the contents of pharmaceutical packages with the correct labels and ensure they arrive with unbroken seals at their destination. Freight forwarders are required to prevent theft and implement special precautions in transit.
Documentation and record-keeping
Undoubtedly, proper documentation is the key to smooth pharmaceutical shipping and is crucial in the pharmaceutical chain. Documents and records should be completed correctly and shared with the right people, such as the Food and Drug Administration and possibly Narcotics, who request special permitting. Part of proper documentation and recordkeeping; includes the registration of possible deficiencies since improperly protected products can negatively affect people’s well-being.
And last but not least…
Expertise
Keeping in mind the strict regulations, complexity, risks, and challenges that the shipment of pharmaceuticals entails, choose a freight forwarder with a lot of experience and expertise in this field.
Parcelhook is a leading, international, and specialized cargo freight forwarding company based in Rotterdam – the Netherlands.
Having been in the industry for nearly three decades, we have the expertise, network, and resources to ensure all your pharmaceutical cargo reaches its destination safely and on time.
SUMMARY
Many pharmaceuticals are exceedingly delicate and must be delivered on schedule in order to guarantee and assure their quality. These types of transportation are temperature-controlled shipments, making them part of cold chain logistics.
Transportation of sensitive pharmaceuticals poses many challenges, such as; maintaining and controlling temperatures, working with strict regulations codes, right and tight record keeping and documentation, proper protection, and suitable transportation and transit time.
The freight forwarding sector has the responsibility and liability. It must have the right expertise to ensure pharmaceuticals are delivered timely and safely without losing their potency and quality.
Parcelhook is a leading, international and specialized cargo freight forwarding company based in Rotterdam – the Netherlands. Having been in the industry for nearly three decades, we are equipped with the expertise, network, and resources to ensure all your pharmaceutical cargo reaches its destination safely and on time.
If you intend to ship goods, the correct documents are essential. Whether it concerns import or export, each shipment requires proper documentation and cargo information to ensure it reaches its destination.
Based on these papers, customs will check whether goods can enter or leave the country and determine which taxes and duties apply.
How this is handled usually depends on the type of goods, country of origin, and destination. However, some standard documents are required for a successful shipment.
In this blog, you discover the shipping documents required for export.
The Pro Forma Invoice is similar to a Purchase Order, which is provided before the completion of the sales transaction, making it the first agreement between a buyer, seller/exporter, and importer.
Key because
The Prof Forma Invoice /Purchase Order is a contract between buyer and seller and specifies which and how many goods have been ordered and must be delivered. It also contains the costs and the conditions agreed upon by both parties.
This document is the official proof of the sales transaction issued by the seller/sender of the goods. It contains all the details of the goods, such as description, price, quantity, packing costs, weight/volume, freight insurance, and terms of payment and shipment.
Key because
This document is mandatory for any export trade and a requirement for clearing goods. Customs uses the information in this document to match it with the cargo and decide whether to release it for shipment.
This list includes detailed and specific information about the shipment, such as:
This list is provided to the parties involved in the shipment to ensure that goods can be properly stored, handled, and shipped.
Key because
The export packing list ensures that all parties know exactly what is being shipped and can process and handle the goods correctly, minimizing risks.
With this certificate, an exporter declares and confirms that the goods to be shipped have been fully acquired, produced, and manufactured or processed in a specific country.
Key because
This certificate must be issued following the laws and regulations of the country of destination and is necessary to ensure that the goods are eligible for export.
Some countries do not ask for this document or have a free trade agreement, meaning that there are certain taxes and duties on goods. To guarantee this, this document is deciding.
The Bill of Lading (BoL) is the most crucial shipping document and is an official contract and legal export trade document between the shipper/owner of the goods and the freight forwarder.
This document contains everything the carrier needs to know to handle the goods correctly and to get them to the correct destination in the best possible way. This document confirms receipt of the goods before and after shipment, after which they can release the load.
Key because
The detailed document ensures that the shipment is legally confirmed, verified, and sent and received by all parties. This can prevent asset theft and can be used to take legal action if what is on the BoL is incorrect.
This letter contains the details and information necessary to ship and track goods internationally by air. This is a non-negotiable agreement between the forwarder/shipper and the airline.
Key because
The airline needs to have details of the shipment/goods, making this an important document.
This document guarantees the payment of the goods and is issued by a creditworthy bank. The bank will pay the remaining amount if the buyer cannot.
Key because
It provides security and assurance for transactions within the complex world of international sales, goods export, and related regulations.
This license or certificate is required for export to officially demonstrate that goods have been approved by the authorities of the country of origin and can be legally marketed/ distributed.
Some countries require this document, while other countries require this document under certain conditions.
Key because
Some countries require this document as a condition for the export of certain products.
The word insurance certificate says it all; this allows an exporter to show that the goods are insured for loss and liability.
Key because
The shipment of goods entails risks. With this document, an exporter can cover himself against possible financial loss.
This document contains all vital information about goods and is closely related to the consignment note. However, this agreement covers storage rather than transportation and can be used to prove that goods have been received.
Key because
It serves as proof of the quality and quantity of the goods and their receipt in a particular facility such as a warehouse.
This document is only necessary if the goods to be shipped are considered dangerous, such as medical treatment products, gases, acids/acid solutions, batteries, flammable liquids, etc.
Key because
It certifies that the goods are adequately packed, labeled, and documented in the proper condition for shipment.
Parcelhook is a specialized and experienced cargo freight forwarding company that offers personal customization and support for worldwide shipments. We take conventional cargo shipping to the next level by providing our clients with complete backing—from customs documentation to clearance, commercial invoicing, and export licenses—we assist our clients throughout the process.
Contact us now for a personalized quote
SUMMARY
Bill of Lading, export license, packing list – all documentation you need when you intend to ship goods. Whether it concerns import or export, each shipment requires proper documentation and cargo information to ensure it reaches its destination.
Based on these papers, customs will check whether goods can enter or leave the country and determine which taxes and duties apply. How this is handled usually depends on the type of goods, country of origin, and destination. However, some standard documents are required for successful shipment, which we inform you about in our blog.