Written by the FR8WISE Supply Chain Team | FR8WISE is a Sydney-based logistics and supply chain consultancy delivering end-to-end FR8 services to Australian businesses across 14 industries.
Australia’s business landscape is inherently challenging, characterised by one of the world’s most complex logistics markets.
Long distances. High freight costs. Strict biosecurity rules. Changing customs compliance requirements. Suppliers overseas. Customers who value speedy and reliable delivery. And a supply chain which has to hold together through all of it!
FR8WISE aims to resolve this very same problem! Our FR8 services are inclusive of the full supply chain. Starting from the time the goods are exported from a supplier in another country until the time they are delivered to the end-user in Australia. And all the things that come in between.
This guide provides an understanding of what FR8 services are. How they work together. As well as why Australian businesses in 14 industries are using FR8WISE to manage their supply chain.
What Are FR8 Services?
The FR8 services are the complete package of freight, logistics and supply chain services provided by FR8WISE — which includes freight forwarding, customs clearance, smart procurement, warehouse management and supply chain consulting services for Australian businesses.
The name FR8 is on purpose. It’s all about freight — or “FR8” — in what we do. But FR8WISE is more than just transportation from one location to another. We take care of the plan. The compliance. The costs. The performance of the entire supply chain.
This is relevant for Australian businesses. A freight problem is never a freight problem. It is frequently a sign of an underlying condition. A purchasing mistake. An inventory system that doesn’t give accurate data. An unnecessary delay in customs. Therefore, FR8WISE considers the bigger picture: not just this shipment.
FR8 Services: Freight Forwarding
FR8WISE freight forwarding services arrange cargo transport between destinations globally – whether by sea, air, road or rail – and are responsible for coordinating carriers, documents, and customs clearance, ensuring goods are delivered on time and on budget.
International freight is complicated. All the above should work together — carrier selection, rate negotiation, booking, documentation. Clearance for export at origin. Import customs clearance to Australia. Biosecurity compliance. Final delivery. If any of these fail to function, it leads to a lot of disruptions, added expenses and dissatisfied customers.
All this is taken care of by FR8WISE. We provide freight forwarding service for the following:
Sea freight — FCL and LCL. For businesses with large amount of items to move, Full Container Load is the best option. Less than Container Load (LCL) for smaller and irregular loads. If businesses have a small shipment, they can save on the cost of container space by sharing it. We have established relationships with shipping lines along all significant trade routes including China, Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, India, Middle East.
Air freight. Fast, secure and reliable for time-critical shipments. Whether it’s fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, high value electronics or urgent spare parts, when speed is the most important factor, air freight is the solution. We partner with top cargo airlines and courier companies to guarantee timely delivery of your items.
Multimodal freight. Most shipments travel by more than one mode. Sea from Shanghai to Sydney. Then it’s by train to Melbourne. After the walk to the destination road. All legs are coordinated by FR8WISE. No transfers of information between modes.
Project freight. There is a specific expertise required for oversized, heavy or specialist cargo such as mining equipment, industrial machinery, infrastructure components. Our project freight team is responsible for the planning, permitting and execution of complex movements that traditional carriers cannot achieve.
FR8 Services: Customs Clearance and Compliance
FR8WISE customs clearance services assist with import/export declarations, tariff classification, FTA concession claims, biosecurity compliance and all Australian Border Force communication — the goods are cleared quickly and compliantly.
One of the most risky areas of international trade is customs clearance. Incorrect tariff classification. Failure to claim concessions for FTA. Non-compliant wood packaging. Incomplete documentation. All of these can lead to delays, fines or seizure of cargo. In addition, the impact is cumulative and builds up rapidly. The goods that are left in the port are liable to storage charges at high rates.
FR8WISE connects with licensed customs brokers who are well versed in Australian customs law, tariff classification and trade compliance. Our customs clearance service includes:
Import declarations. Stuck in ABF’s Integrated Cargo System prior to arrival of vessel or aircraft. Released goods can be delivered timely on arrival without remaining in the port to await clearance.
Tariff classification.Self-assessed HS codes for products. We do not use codes that are recommended by our suppliers and are not necessarily correct. Correct duty rates and correct application of any permits or biosecurity requirements is the correct classification.
FTA concession management. Australia has free trade deals with ASEAN, Japan, South Korea, India, UK, China and others. The duty rates of many importers are paid at the higher rates, when the goods are eligible for concessions. FR8WISE lets you know which concessions apply. We make sure that they are claimed properly — including proper origin documentation.
Biosecurity compliance. Australia’s biosecurity needs are also some of the most stringent in the world. FR8WISE identifies your products biosecurity needs before you ship. All treatment and documentation needs are coordinated prior to treatment. Not found on landing.
Export declarations and documentation. All the documentation package required by Australian exporters is managed by Certificates of origin, phytosanitary certificates, health certificates and export permits. Products are prequalified for importation to other countries on their way out.
FR8 Services: Smart Procurement
In Australia, FR8WISE smart procurement services will assist Australian businesses in obtaining goods more efficiently, that is, by finding the right suppliers, negotiating better terms, minimising concentration risk and creating procurement processes that yield consistent results.
Procurement is where the supply chain starts. The sourcing process sets the tone for the rest of the project. A bad one gives rise to issues that cannot be solved with logistics excellence.
But many Australian enterprises work in a reactive way when it comes to procurement. They locate a supplier who does the job. They remain loyal to them. They do not discuss explicitly whether or not the arrangement is still sensible. Consequently, they are paying above market prices for them. They have unwarranted supplier risk. They fail to seize the chance of cost reduction or quality improvement.
These are all included within FR8WISE smart procurement services:
Supplier identification and qualification. Identifying suppliers who can supply your quality, price and lead time requirements and then ensuring they can do so! We source from Asia, Europe and other markets around the world to find options that are not available to businesses on their own.
Contract negotiation. Discussions on pricing, payment conditions, minimum order quantities, delivery time and service level agreements. We have the expertise and knowledge of the market and negotiation process that most in-house teams don’t.
Supplier performance management. Setting up frameworks to measure supplier performance over time. Addressing problems in a proactive manner rather than a reactive one. There are many metrics to monitor and address, such as delivery reliability, quality defect rates, and lead time accuracy.
Risk diversification. Shifting to multi-sourcing critical inputs. Creating alternatives to building suppliers in advance. Not panicking when a major supplier goes awol.
Cost reduction analysis. Revisiting existing procurement spend to see for opportunities to lower costs. Through better sourcing. Better terms. Or Joining up of spend with suppliers.
FR8 Services: Warehouse and Inventory Management
From cost per order optimisation to inventory system building and error minimisation, FR8WISE warehouse and inventory management services benefit and guide Australian businesses to optimise their stock handling, management and fulfilment.
An effective supply chain to Australia isn’t an effective supply chain if goods are not effectively managed after arriving in Australia. The real deal is in the warehouse and inventory management. It directly affects the delivery of the right goods on time and in full to customers.
Some of the FR8WISE warehouse services are:
Warehouse audit and optimisation. A well-designed evaluation of existing warehouse structures, slotting pattern, picking methodologies, inventory correctness, technology, and systems. The audit is a search for the biggest payback improvements. Then prioritises them for implementation.
Slotting optimisation.Checking the location of products and their frequency of movement. Rapidly moving products near packing bench. Items that are heavy are at ground level. Logically organized similar products. Improving slotting even by 20% or more can save pick times.
Inventory accuracy improvement. Using cycle counting, bar code reading and inventory management methods to maintain accurate inventory all year long. Instead of finding out the discrepancies at the end of the year at stocktake.
3PL selection and management. For businesses that choose to outsource their warehousing and fulfilment, FR8WISE can assist in determining the correct 3PL. Contract negotiations are conducted. We maintain the relationship on-going and ensure service levels are maintained.
Demand planning. Developing forecast models that can be used to manage inventory in relation to actual demand. Minimizing stock-outs and overstocking. Working capital is released by better demand planning! It also eliminates the need to pay for costly emergency air freight to cover up those holes in the schedule.
FR8 Services: Supply Chain Consulting
FR8WISE supply chain consulting services can guide Australian businesses in the design, development and management of supply chains strategically; uncovering the areas of highest cost, risk and inefficiency, and create practical plans for improvement that yield measurable results.
In addition to the day-to-day arrangements, FR8WISE also provides strategic consulting skills. It encourages businesses to consider their supply chains on a more elevated level. This can be especially useful in situations where businesses are expanding quickly, undergoing cost reduction, expanding into new markets, or experiencing issues with the supply chain that persist even after changes to the processes are made.
The supply chain consulting services are:
Supply chain diagnostic. Full analysis of the existing supply chain. Mapping goods flows. Measuring performance. Identifying cost drivers. Identifying the places of value leakage. The diagnostic includes facts to guide improvement planning.
Improvement roadmap development. Interpretation of diagnostic information to a prioritised set of initiatives. Arranged by impact, complexity of implementation and required resources. A roadmap based on the practical and not on the theoretical optimum.
Freight cost reduction. SBreakdown of freight spend by carrier, mode, lane and shipment profile. Knowing what areas of expenditure can be reduced as a result of renegotiation, consolidation and/or mode optimisation.
Supply chain resilience review. The ability to understand single points of failure in the supply chain. Sole-source suppliers. Single trade lanes. No buffer; Just in Time. Next, to develop diversification and contingency plans to minimize vulnerability to disruption.
Technology assessment.Assessing the appropriate supply chain technology for the company. Software for demand planning, warehouse management, transport management and visibility platforms. Implementation management to make sure the desired results are achieved.
Mastery in Supply Chain and Logistics programme. FR8WISE’s exclusive training and capacity development initiative. A drive to develop an internal supply chain skills within a client organisation. The more repeatable the improvements the better, as the ones the business can make and maintain on its own are the most beneficial.
Who Uses FR8 Services?
FR8WISE partners with Australian businesses in 14 industries. The issues affecting the supply chain vary between industries. However, there is a consistent need for expert integrated support.
Food and agriculture. Cold chain logistics, Biosecurity compliance, Export documents, and fresh produce supply chains. We are linking Australian farmers with overseas traders in Asia and other parts of the world.
Retail and e-commerce. Logistics of import, customs clearance, 3PL management, last mile delivery strategy, Inventory optimisation. For companies selling through multiple channels: web, wholesale and retail.
Construction and infrastructure. Project freight, oversized cargo, just in time delivery to active construction sites and procurement strategy for large projects. Delays cost money. We work to prevent them.
Healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Temperature controlled logistics, TGA compliance, track and trace and logistics for therapeutic goods and medical devices. No room for mistake and intense pressure.
Manufacturing.Inbound raw material logistics, supplier management, inventory optimisation and outbound freight for Australian manufacturers selling both domestically and internationally.
Mining and resources.Heavy lift delivery, remote delivery, project logistics, supply chain management for the exploration, development and operational phase. We have taken equipment to areas freight forwarders do not go.
Fashion and apparel. Fashion businesses importing from Asian countries: Import logistics, customs clearance, trend forecasting and inventory management, and returns logistics. Being quick to market in this industry is more important than in others.
Automotive. Automotive distributors and Aftermarket/parts logistics, just in time delivery, import compliance and supply chain management.
In all these areas, FR8WISE is able to deliver both the ability to operate and also the know-how and experience to better. In addition, we integrate individual services into an integrated, whole. When supply chains are coordinated, rather than managed in silos, they work best.
The FR8WISE Difference: What Sets Our FR8 Services Apart
Australian logistics companies are good at two or three things. FR8WISE is different. We take on the entire supply chain – we link the dots on purpose.
Let’s see how that works out in real life.
One partner, not five. Most businesses that import goods to Australia have to work with a freight forwarder, customs broker, warehouse provider, 3PL and perhaps even a separate logistics consultant. Each one of these has a special relationship with the business, special information, and special incentives. The cracks in the wall allow things to fall through. FR8WISE brings all of these services together in one house; so information flows freely and decisions are made with the whole picture in mind.
We catch problems before they cost money.A freight forwarder that merely books the shipments will not let you know that your packaging does not comply with ISPM 15 biosecurity standards — it’ll know when the cargo is detained at port! FR8WISE checks documentation and compliance prior to goods leaving. It implies that issues are identified before they cost a lot of money to rectify, rather than during the transport of the goods.
We identify savings most businesses miss. FTA concession claims that haven’t been made. Unnegotiated freight rates for three years. Stores that have never been audited since the company was half its current size.Warehouses that have never been audited since the company was half its size. The process of contracting with suppliers who are now more costly than the market. These savings are realized in nearly all supply chains. FR8WISE finds them.
We build capability, not dependency. We deliver the FR8WISE Mastery in Supply Chain and Logistics programme, supporting our client businesses to develop a supply chain capability within their business. The objective is not to rely on FR8WISE for every decision — it’s a client whose supply chain becomes even stronger over time as the client has the knowledge to continue to improve it.
Why Choose FR8WISE for FR8 Services?
There are many logistics providers in Australia. Here’s what makes FR8WISE different.
We cover the full supply chain. The majority of logistics companies have a niche in their business. Freight forwarding, customs compliance, procurement, warehouse management and supply chain consulting are part of FR8WISE. We notice how the problems are related. We develop solutions that take into consideration the full system.
We have real operational experience. The FR8WISE team has not only consulted from the outside, but has been involved in the supply chain operations. All recommendations are based on what works. Not in frameworks that seem good on paper, but do not endure in reality.
We work across 14 industries. That’s only because of that width that we have pattern recognition that the sector isn’t. We have encountered such issues in various scenarios. We are aware of solutions that are effective and ineffective.
We’re transparent. We give our clients a heads up of what the engagement will be like, how much it’s going to cost, and what they can expect. No vague scoping. No hidden fees. No overselling.
We deliver measurable results. Correctly claiming FTA duties for savings. Cost savings on freight through carrier renegotiation. Investment in inventory released by improved demand planning. Optimisation of the warehouse to reduce labour costs. These are the results of FR8WISE.
Think Global Logistics (TGL) provides specialist consulting to businesses on the complete picture of global logistics, as well as international trade and global supply chain design beyond Australia.
What Happens When FR8 Services Work Together
The true power of FR8WISE lies with the combination of the services. It’s in the way they relate.
Here’s an example. Clothes are imported from clothing manufacturers located in China and Vietnam to an Australian retailer. They’ve been doing it for years. At the moment they function properly. Goods arrive. Shelves get stocked. Business continues.
However, when FR8WISE conducts a supply chain diagnostic they discover the following.
The retailer pays 5% duty on goods from China which is eligible for zero duty under ChAFTA. That’s $180,000 in annual income that remains to be gained. Boxes of wood from their supplier in Vietnam are not ISPM 15 compliant — making their imports take two to four days longer than necessary, and thus resulting in a loss of funds. Their warehouse slotting was set up when they had 200 SKUs. Now they have 800. 40% of pick times are not as fast as they should be. Their freight contract is not reviewed in four years, they are paying above market rates to two of their three carriers.
None of these issues are apparent within the business. They are all like a normal part of business. Put together they are a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year that can be avoided.
This is what integrated FR8 services discover. It’s this that they repair.
The duty on the FTA concession claim is corrected — immediate duty savings. Biosecurity holds stop while supplier packaging specification is being updated. The warehouse is reslotted, pick times are reduced in a couple of weeks. Freight contracts are renegotiated — rates decrease on the next contract renewal.
This means a more cost-effective, efficient and robust supply chain that is less vulnerable to disruption. Constructed by the same suppliers, the same carriers and the same warehouse, but managed more efficiently.
That’s what FR8WISE provides. Not just logistics. Supply chain performance
Frequently Asked Questions
What are FR8 services?
FR8 services consists of full freight, logistics and supply chain solutions offered by FR8WISE. This involves freight forwarding, customs clearance, smart procurement, warehouse management and supply chain consulting to Australian businesses in 14 industries.
What industries does FR8WISE serve?
FR8WISE operates in 14 Industry sectors. These include the food and agriculture industry, retail and e-commerce, construction, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, mining, fashion and automotive. The supply chain needs vary from sector to sector. In FR8WISE we have first-hand experience with all of them.
Does FR8WISE handle both imports and exports?
Yes. Both inbound freight (goods arriving from overseas suppliers) and outbound freight (Australian goods to overseas markets) are managed by FR8WISE. We provide customs clearance services for imports and exports.
Can FR8WISE help reduce my customs duty costs?
Yes. Many Australian importers are paying unnecessary rates of duty. Why? Because they haven’t correctly claimed free trade agreement concessions. One of FR8WISE’s customs clearance services is FTA concession management. We identify concessions that can be applied and ensure they are applied correctly.
Does FR8WISE offer supply chain consulting as well as logistics execution?
Yes. FR8WISE offers operational logistics solutions such as freight forwarding, customs clearance and warehouse management, as well as strategy solutions for supply chain. Many clients sign up for both services with FR8WISE. Logistics execution is based on the solid supply chain strategy.
How does FR8WISE differ from a standard freight forwarder?
A normal freight forwarder is an individual who specializes in transporting goods. Reservations, shipping arrangements, and shipping papers. FR8WISE does it all, and more. From customs compliance to procurement strategy, warehouse optimisation, demand planning and supply chain consulting. This leads to a more holistic service with a full view of supply chain performance – not just one shipment at a time.
How do I get started with FR8 services?
A good place to begin is a supply chain diagnostic. A formal assessment of your existing business to determine which changes can be done for the greatest dollar return. Then FR8WISE collaborates with you to prioritise and execute those improvements in a timely and appropriate fashion for your business’ capacity.