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Can I ask for input as to who can handle flatbed/stepdeck loads between Toronto and Mexico. Thank you in advance
Flat/Steps between Toronto and Mexico
- Thread starter ShipHappens
- Start date
Shakey
Site Supporter
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also be aware that a lot of carriers crossdock/transload the freight at the border. We have a couple of clients that won't allow cross docking of their loads to Mexican carriers for delivery in mexico.... take a picture of license plates on the trailer... before it leaves and when it arrives, we narrowed down our list of carriers that do mexico well on a flatbed / stepdeck / over dim basis.
we've learnt the hard way about mexico.
we've learnt the hard way about mexico.
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There is a real mix of scenarios when you ship to Mexico. As EricG stated, a lot of carriers crossdock at the border and load a Mexican carrier's truck. Others will drop the trailer at the border for furtherance with a Mexican carrier providing the power. Very few, if any Canadian carriers venture across the border with their truck, trailer and driver to make the final delivery. Also, and this is very important, the Canadian carrier you choose will only provide insurance to the US/Mexican border. Even though you might think your shipment is covered as a through Bill of Lading, it's not. Either have your customer arrange their own insurance for the Mexican portion of the trip, or go to a provider such as Cargo Cover (or whatever their new name is) for cargo insurance. It will be the best insurance premium money you have ever spent in the event things go sideways. Can you detect the "speaking from experience" here?
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I've even been show video footage of a load being trans-loaded in a WALMART parking lot..... 92,000 lbs. over dim piece... crane onsite.. moving from one Ontario plated trailer to another Mexican plated trailer.. for delivery into Mexico, funny part is Ontario carrier said he would deliver direct to Mexico no trans-loading.... TRUST NO ONE unless you've dealt with them before and audited the move... Mexico is now one sketchy country for deliveries....
Yes.... I would HIGHLY suggest a third party underwriter be utilized... declared value on a BOL means NOTHING in Mexico.... Cartels will hijack a truck and trailer.. dump the million dollar machine press/robotic automotive equipment on the side of the road, and take the truck trailer their own use.... cartels don't care about freight....they want the equipment.
also ... covertly mounting a gps asset tag on the trailer works wonders too
especially when you have it noted on the commercial invoice as a line item.... that way no hold up at the border for items on trailer not on customs docs. if you trailer ends up at the border then the gps asset tag shows it turning around... guess what your freight was trans-loaded.... GPS asset tags are a dime a dozen when you consider what a regular lane like Mexico earns someone brokering over-dim loads to flatbed carriers.
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Freight broker just a question. Do you even deal with Canadian carriers? It seems every post you tell people to use American mega carriers.
Rob: We buy Canadian and even try to buy local when we can..... I'd prefer to pay a bit more money knowing that I'm using a local company in the community versus a mega carrier to whom I'm just an account number. In this business I find its all about relationships.
Hence why we use Mr Flatbeds quite a bit, local carrier in our back yard. Great service.... why would I consider using a mega carrier for something someone in my back yard can handle...
However.... when it comes time to move a 190,000 superload.... with declared value... We may just stick with a mega carrier..... but honestly its all up to what the customer wants and which one of the three quotes we obtain that they want us to issue a carrier conf for.... small loads we may make the decision.. but large stuff.. the buck sometimes lies with the client.
an old I.T. procurement saying goes... and applies I think... " No one ever got fired in the 1980'/early 90' for buying IBM"
Hence why we use Mr Flatbeds quite a bit, local carrier in our back yard. Great service.... why would I consider using a mega carrier for something someone in my back yard can handle...
However.... when it comes time to move a 190,000 superload.... with declared value... We may just stick with a mega carrier..... but honestly its all up to what the customer wants and which one of the three quotes we obtain that they want us to issue a carrier conf for.... small loads we may make the decision.. but large stuff.. the buck sometimes lies with the client.
an old I.T. procurement saying goes... and applies I think... " No one ever got fired in the 1980'/early 90' for buying IBM"
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A lot of companies who do Mexico freight actually drive to the Mexican border and have a Mexican truck line go in with their trailers. Many players don't want to do it though because insurance in Mexico is not the same as Canada and the US and carriers are very vulnerable there.
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Exactly, most large Canadian and U.S. carriers partner with a Mexican trucking company to do the final delivery into Mexico on the originating carrier's trailer. Or they cross dock at the border onto the Mexican trailer. Either way, the originating carrier's cargo insurance stops at the border. You can ship virtually
anything into Mexico, just be prepared for delays, additional costs, etc. and most importantly, prepare your customer ahead of time for the same to avoid misunderstandings and problems.
anything into Mexico, just be prepared for delays, additional costs, etc. and most importantly, prepare your customer ahead of time for the same to avoid misunderstandings and problems.
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Yes Rob, I use Canadian as well as US carriers. I've done a fair amount of MX freight, and Melton has done a good job for me, hence the recommendation. I've also recommended Canadian carriers in the recent past..i.e. Polaris and Robert Transport for other stuff.