How Proper Logistics Reduce Beverage Import Costs

Atlasimex Team

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Beyond the Price Tag: Mastering Total Landed Cost

When negotiating a new beverage contract, most inexperienced importers focus entirely on the "Ex-Works" (EXW) price—the cost of the can at the factory door. While this is important, it is not what determines your profit. Your profit is determined by the Total Landed Cost: the price of the can once it arrives at your warehouse, duty-paid and ready to sell.

Inefficient logistics can add cents to every unit, destroying margins that took weeks to negotiate. At Atlasimex, we don't just manufacture; we act as supply chain architects for our partners in 21+ countries. Here is how proper logistics management directly reduces your bottom line.

1. The "Demurrage" Trap: Documentation Speed

The most avoidable cost in shipping is "Demurrage"—the daily fine charged by the port if your container sits uncollected. This usually happens because documents are late or incorrect.

The Cost: Demurrage fees can rapidly escalate to hundreds of dollars per day, wiping out the profit of the shipment.
The Solution: Pre-Emptive Documentation. Our export team prepares draft Bills of Lading and Certificates of Analysis before the ship sails. We ensure your clearing agent has the paperwork weeks in advance, allowing for "Pre-Arrival Clearance." Your container leaves the port the moment it lands, costing you zero in storage fees.

2. Weight Optimization: Paying for Metal, Not Air

Shipping lines charge per container, not per kilo (up to a limit). If you ship a container that is only 80% full by weight, you are effectively paying a 20% "air tax."

The Solution: We are experts in Payload Maximization. Because we know the exact weight of our 250ml vs. 330ml trays, we calculate the loading plan to hit the road weight limit (e.g., 24 tons) with surgical precision. We ensure every dollar of ocean freight you pay moves the maximum possible amount of sellable liquid.

3. Choosing the Right INCOTERM (FOB vs. CIF)

Who controls the freight? This decision impacts your cash flow and risk.

FOB (Free on Board): You control the shipping. Good if you have a great relationship with a local forwarder.
CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight): We manage the shipping to your port.
The Strategy: Because Atlasimex ships high volumes globally, we often secure bulk rates from shipping lines (like CMA CGM or Maersk) that are lower than what a single distributor can get. We pass these savings on to you, often making CIF a cheaper option than arranging it yourself.

Logistics is a Profit Center

Do not view logistics as a boring expense; view it as a competitive advantage. By partnering with a manufacturer that understands the nuances of international freight, you protect your margins from the hidden inefficiencies that plague the industry. At Atlasimex, we ensure that you pay for the product, not the process.

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