Colombia is a country where logistics must overcome significant challenges and meet high legal requirements set by authorities. Therefore, there are some factors that should be seriously considered when choosing a logistics operator capable of providing peace of mind and efficiency while reducing costs and, above all, risks. Here are some aspects to keep in mind.
Reputation
Experience, history, and reputation are essential factors in handling logistics for large loads and companies. Therefore, it is vital to choose cargo agencies, customs brokers, warehouses, and carriers that are recognized in the field, without limiting yourself to the most famous brands. It is useful to conduct a small investigation into potential candidates among your allies. Consult other companies and providers about the reputation of their logistics providers. Also, make sure they have certifications like ISO, BASC, and, ideally, OEA.
Look Beyond Prices
Obviously, choosing logistics operators with affordable prices is important. However, selecting the operator solely based on their low rates can expose you to the risk of poor service or inadequate customer service. It is crucial to understand how demanding and careful your logistics management should be, so you can define the level of service and expectations you should have from your logistics providers.
Innovation
Like many sectors in Latam, the logistics industry in Colombia is traditionally analog and not heavily focused on innovation. However, there are increasingly local logistics groups that are investing more in innovation, developing their own software or implementing technologies that have made logistics a faster and more user-friendly process.
Efficient and Effective Customs Broker
In the complex regulatory framework of international trade in Colombia, a significant portion of logistics depends on the speed and efficiency of customs processes, such as approvals, tax payment certificates, and other documentary steps that facilitate the supply chain. Therefore, it is vital that when choosing a freight forwarder, they have excellent customs allies with deep regulatory knowledge and personal relationships with authorities.
Prestigious Network of Allies
In addition to having an excellent reputation and experienced customs broker in their network of allies, it is vital that your logistics operator has recognized allies in the industry, including warehouses, land carriers, and last-mile trucking companies. In case it is convenient for you, a good ally with a warehouse in a Free Trade Zone can allow you to plan or execute transformation, deconsolidation, or dispatch tasks from the Free Trade Zone.
Consider Outsourcing Your Associated Processes
Increasingly, companies in Colombia are offering 4PL (fourth-party logistics) services, which serve to reduce logistics costs and directly impact the weight of their payrolls. Nowadays, companies like Cargolog Internacional offer services such as invoice reconciliation, supplier coordination, and other tasks tailored to each client, enhancing the fluidity of the logistics process by consolidating most logistics tasks in one place.
Bigger Isn’t Always Better
It may always seem tempting to work with large multinational brands, especially for companies looking to enhance their brand or market presence. However, in logistics, a personalized and attentive service will often be better. Therefore, when choosing a logistics operator, in many cases, it is better to select medium-sized companies with the capacity to treat each client uniquely, rather than a large company where your business is just one among hundreds of clients.
Define a Single Front
Logistic chains, by definition, consist of multiple links and actors that must act in harmony and coordination to bring each process to a successful conclusion. Therefore, in many cases, companies choose an entity to coordinate the entire logistics orchestra, including direct and indirect actors, and ultimately issue a single invoice to minimize the operational and administrative burden on the client. In many cases, companies choose the freight forwarder for this role, but customs brokers have gained prominence due to the significant bureaucratic weight of logistics in Colombia.
Why Choose Cargolog Internacional
At Cargolog Internacional, as a freight forwarder and Free Trade Zone operator with 20 years of experience, we encompass all these characteristics and are committed to continuing to invest in sustained growth and excellence. Our network of local and international allies has repeatedly proven that our company’s knowledge, coverage, and capacity are on par with the best logistics groups available in the market. This has made us one of the logistics providers with the highest growth potential in Colombia.
