Logistics and Transport in Spare Parts Management Service

The main objective of this report is to evaluate Logistics and Transport in Spare Parts Management Service, here focus on effectiveness of lending program of Step One Group. Other objectives are explain the loans and disbursement of Step One Group during 1995 to 2008 and – u;’ the sector wise financial performance of this branch during 1995 to 2008. Finally find out problems and provide some recommendations for the improvement of Logistics service of the Step One Group Company.

Method of the Study:

The present study is concerned with the analysis of shipment receiving, maintained delivery process with maintaining report. The approach adopted is basically analytical and interpretive in nature considering the objectives of the study and review of literature. It is also decided to employ descriptive method of analysis and investigation of the empirical data related to Export-Import and logistics.

Objective of the Study:

The main objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of lending program of Step One Group, for the period. For this purpose the study seeks to achieve the following objectives:

1. To examine the loans and disbursement of Step One Group during 1995 to 2008.
2. To assess the recovery position of Step One Group during 1995 to 2008.
3. To evaluate the sector wise financial performance of this branch during 1995 to 2008.
4. To find out problems and provide some recommendations for the improvement of Logistics service of the Step One Group Company.

Method of Data Collection:

This study uses both primary and secondary sources of data. To prepare this report were used the following methods of data collection.

Questionnaire method.

At first a questionnaire was prepared par the direction of my supervisor about the Step One Group of company, and following this questionnaire relevant and collect information and data from the Step One Group of company’s executives were collected.

Direct interview methods.

I have also collected information and data by interviewing the executives and officers of the Step One Group of company. For this purpose I prepared another set of questionnaire.

Personal communication.

I gathered data through personal discussion with the officers of different levels and employees of the Step One Group of company. They provided information about the Logistics  operations. Other information have also been collected by personal discussion with the coordinating officer, accounts officers, personnel of management information division (MIS) etc. of the Step One Group of company.

PROJECT PROFILE

General

Step One Group (www.stepone-air.com) is a local supply chain firm which has 20 offices in all over the country with headquarter in the capital city Dhaka in Bangladesh. The company was emerged in the year 1998 and within no time became the one of the focal point in the sector of logistic services. The company is compounded with a number of sister concern to provide the logistic services in all direction. We also handle about 1000 (One Thousand) tons of cargo through Chittagong sea port in every month. And through Benapole Land Port we handle 1500 (One Thousand Five Hundred) tons of cargo per month.

We have the pleasure to inform you that we handle client from both national and international sectors with special emphasis on Telecommunication, Security, and Real States etc. We are providing Custom Clearance and International Freight Forwarding in Air, Sea & Land Mode with the use of modern technical equipments. In the shortest possible time we provide the services and no mention that for which a big group of highly trained, motivated, energetic, honest and dedicated people are working round the clock. For our Customer, it is seven days a week and 24 hours a day.

The company has been successfully providing one window multidimensional customized logistics services, ranging from delivery of heavy international shipments to small scale shipments including project handling. The company client list includes major national and multinational importers and exporters with special emphasis on telecommunications, power, textile and garment industry sectors. The corporate office of this company is in Dhaka with other offices in Chittagong and other strategic locations facilitating national customs clearing and international freight forwarding in air, sea and land modes, tracking and tracing of shipments, inland transportation, warehousing, packing, etc.  using computers and modern technological equipments. The company is highly capable of providing efficient logistical supports to the customers with skilled manpower under dynamic leadership and management.

Insurance:

Accident occurs without notice and damages/destroys lives and properties at any time. We consider and give highest priority to the safety. That is why we are concerned with the insurance of the properties.

Mission:

The mission of “Step One Group” is to provide the best quality logistics services to the customers. As we told before, we exactly understand how precious a client’s time and need is, so the employees of the company “Step One Air & Sea Freight” never sleep. We have dedicated people for our designated customer to fulfill their requirement even at midnight. On requirement basis we employed exclusive personals for a specific task for a particular customer who works as one stop services.

Experiences:

Step One “Step One Group” has the following experiences in the field of logistics services in home and abroad for last eight years:

• The company has been successfully carrying out customs clearing/forwarding successfully for numerous national and multinational companies.
• The company has been successfully carrying out freight forwarding in air, sea and land ports for various national and multinational companies.
• The company has been providing highly efficient transportation for different projects covering different types of transports including covered vans along with trailers, forklifts and cranes.
• The company has been providing efficient packing and moving supports to different national and international organizations.
• The company has been providing excellent warehouse facilities with skilled manpower to the customers.

Key Strengths:

• Efficient in customs clearing/forwarding.
• Efficient in freight forwarding in air, sea and land ports.
• Efficient in transportation with different types of vehicles for all types of terrains and weather.
• Efficient in packing and moving support.
• Capable of providing excellent warehouse facilities.
• Maintains large customer base in local market.
• Experienced and skilled manpower under dynamic leadership and management.
• Sound financial strength with strong relationship and buying power with air and sea carriers.

SERVICE ADVANTAGES OF STEP ONE GROUP

• Real Results: We qualify your gains in terms of your key business objectives by satisfying your requirements as efficiently as possible.

• Reduced Cycle Time: A highly tuned global logistics program with its efficient management capable to eliminate surplus inventory in your pipeline and minimize the time, and enhance the fore products to reach your ultimate customers.

• Improved Customer Service Level: We build our programs around the demands of your customers. Our collective success is measured by the service levels achieved above and beyond your competitors.

• Lower Total Cost: We deliver service beyond the unit costs of transportation and warehousing by taking a special look at your entire process minimizing overall expenditure and maximizing effectiveness.

• Diagnostic And Analysis Tools: We give you powerful tools and resources to analyze and  manage your logistics operations efficiently.

• Value And Promotion: While providing service, we value and promote your organization to increase your credibility and customers.

Key person of Step One Group:

Md. Masud Hasan

Proprietor

Phone         : +88 02 8856702, +88 02 8859297

Fax    : +88 02 8750372

Mobile        : 01911386340, 01819237118

Md. Masud Hasan has a vast knowledge in this logistics, clearing & forwarding industry since 1994 and achieved plenty of knowledge and having a good reputation in this market. He has the experience of providing numerous logistical supports to different telecommunications, power, textile and garments   operators in home and abroad. He is well known to most of the shippers and importers of  telecommunications, power, textile, garments and project handling companies all over the country. He has the experience of providing service to different multinational companies in home and abroad. He is expert in handling consignment at Dhaka airport, Chittagong port, Benapole land customs.

SERVICES

Customs Clearing and International Freight Forwarding:

Step One Air & Sea Freight has been providing age-befitting customs clearing services to the leading business leaders in the country. Step One Air & Sea Freight has efficient and long experienced personnel set at the exact places to enable it to undertake wholly, efficiently and as-and-when-required basis the customs clearance activities it has been vested with by the customers.

Step One Air & Sea Freight basically operates in the major three ports of the country- Zia International Airport, Chittagong Seaport and Benapole Landport. It efficient, dynamic and long experienced personnel takes utmost possible care to release its cutomers’ consignments on case-to-case basis. It completes all the official procedures from obtaining necessary permissions to submitting documents and releasing goods. Step One Air & Sea Freight’s customers often seeks its valuable expert opinion in order to get their consignments pass through the customs smoothly. Step One Air & Sea Freight also provides the entire import service to the consignments of its customers as they require it to do so with its sister concerns.

Step One Air & Sea Freight is also engaged in freight forwarding activities. It has agents located in the strategically important countries in the world to handle the customers’ consignments overseas. It has been providing services for some years to the leading multinational companies in Bangladesh. We settle freight and ground handling charges home and abroad on behalf of our customers and help them in handling their cargo as much as they require. Step One Air & Sea Freight have efficient and experienced personnel set at places to co-ordinate the freight forwarding activities. Our customs clearing wing is a significant support in handling the affairs at customs. Our documentation wing also helps in the documentation of our customers also as much as they require. Our inland transportation section takes care of any inland transportation requirement as our customers require. With the coordinated effort of the concerned wings, we provide utmost possible care to ensure that our customers’ consignments are delivered in time to the designated destinations overseas as per our customers’ requirement. We also take care that the maximum possible quality of the service is sustained and in time. We maintain contact with all concerned home and abroad and collect and send data and documents to the concerned entities through EDI and hard copies as per requirement. Ultimately the efficient completion of the service is ensured.

Main Service Area:

• Clearing & Forwarding
• Export & Import
• Logistic Support
• Warehouse
• Transport
• SPMS (Spare Parts Management System)
• Construction
• Telecom Service Provider
• Security Support

Summery of Services:

Clearing & Forwarding

– Providing age-befitting customs clearing services to the leading business leaders in the country

– We basically operates in the major three ports of the country – Zia International Airport, Chittagong Seaport and Benapole Landport

– Step One Group is also engaged in freight forwarding activities which has agents located in the strategically important countries in the world to handle the customers’ consignments overseas

– Our customs clearing wing is a significant support in handling the affairs at customs and our documentation wing helps in the documentation of our customers as per their requirements

– Step One Group have efficient and experienced personnel set at places to co-ordinate the freight forwarding activities

Export-Import:

We are working with all the Multinational Companies related with Telecom Sector in Bangladesh. For that reason, we export and import different types of telecom equipments on the demand of our customers. Our activities is running with Sweden, Malaysia, England, Italy, Hongkong, Philippines, Netherland, Germany, India etc. for both export and import.

We are offering the export import facilities via both Sea and Air.

Logistics Support:

Salvation Logistics Limited operates in all major ports in Bangladesh with its own Clearing & Forwarding license. It handles customs clearing and forwarding procedures of shipments of our valued customers. Salvation Logistics Limited works side by side with Step One Air & Sea Freight- one strengthening the other. It gives our valued customers the confidence to rely on us better.

Warehouse:

– Step One Group started its warehouse management service in 2005 with one customer. It has been created value as third wing in our supply chain support

– We provided warehouse location to our valued customers considering flood free, well inland transport communication with other districts/divisions, near to airport, excellent internet communications, forklift, hydraulic trolley, security personnel, electricity generator, CCTV, air conditioner etc.

– We started  warehousing support with 40, 000 SFT and at present total space is 250, 000 SFT

– We are providing a separate team for each customers. Team consists based on our valued customers requirements and suggestion

– At Present we have Seven customers of telecom industry

– At Present we have 21 Warehouses in Dhaka, Khulna, Bogra, Sylhet, Comilla, Barishal, Noakhali, Shitakundu,Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar.

SPMS (Spare Parts Management System):

Step One Group is the first SPMS service provider in Bangladesh from last 3 years. Presently we are providing SPMS service to Ericsson Bangladesh Ltd and Huawei Technologies Bangladesh Ltd. Our SPMS services are Warehouse based which includes Inventory Management Systems, Import, Export, Customs Clearance.

Construction:

Peace de Home Ltd. is one of the sister concern of Step One Group. We have already completed Residential Building in  Mohakhali DOHS & Banani.

Telecom Service Provider:

          Unitech Telecom Service Provider (UTSP) is a telecom network consulting firm & service provider company was established soon after the  nascence of it’s mother company Step One Group in 1998 with the objectives of filling up the vacuum in our technical know-how in the field of telecommunication sectors and to assist the nation in her development to an international standard.

Companies services……

• Network Planning & Design Services
• Implementation Services
• Maintenance Services
• Civil Construction Services
• RF Component Outsourcing
• CCTV Camera & Access Control

Security Support:

Running all these operations in so many different locations is a challenging job which needs very strong security surveillance. For  providing the best possible security to the goods to our customer and for ensuring the highest level of security we have our own Security Company as one of our sister concern named StepUp Resources & Management Ltd. Since it is organized and managed by us, so we have a very good command on our security personals. They are providing the best possible services available within the country. Apart from the security, we also provide the resources support to our all valued customer. Any time you need of such support, we are there to do the needful.

PROJECT RELATED CONSUMER

Valuable Consumer:

• Huawei Technologies Ltd.
• Airtel Bangladesh Ltd.
• Robi Axiata Bangladesh Ltd.
• LM Ericsson Bangladesh Ltd.
• ZTE Corporation Ltd.
• Nokia Siemens Network Ltd.
• Getco Bangladesh Ltd.
• Paxar BD Ltd.
• Haris Statex
• Wartsila Bangladesh Ltd.
• Nokia EA Ltd.
• Multinet Group
• Mir Telecom Ltd.
• Juki Bangladesh LTd.
• Augree Wireless Broadband Ltd
• Banglalink
• Buyer crops science BD Ltd.

Scope of Work:

• As one of the leading freight forwarding company we have separate office and very highly qualified staffs for all routes likes Air, Sea and Land.
• We have reputation of handling all the official task including customs clearing, transportation and documentation in the shortest possible time. We can assure you that there is no other company in this regard who can handle the entire operation in a befitting manner better than us.
• For all transportation through air, we have office in Dhaka Airport. We have an average handling of cargo not less than 30 (Thirty) tons in a month where we also handle about 1000 (One Thousand) tons of cargo through Chittagong sea port in every month. And through Benapole Land Port, we handle 1500 (One Thousand Five Hundred) tons of cargo per month. As we discussed before that we have a head office and this head office monitor all the office located all around the country.
• We provide SPMS (Spare Parts Management System) services to Huawei Bangladesh Ltd and LM Ericsson Bangladesh Ltd. for entire Bangladesh. We also provide mini workshop space for Huawei Bangladesh Ltd.
• Our contract time varies below up to 03 (three) hours to a day as well, that means we provide the service up to the required office or place of our customer within 03 (three) hours after they made a request for such items. For which we have our dedicated office all over the Bangladesh and which remain open for 24 hours of the day. It may be mention here that all off the offices are connected with internet and we receive all the orders through e-mail without losing any time for such request. All the offices are centrally controlled and monitored by our Headquarter regularly. By such way our performance level is more than the expectation of our clients.
• We know that transportation of cargo/goods with least possible time is a prime requirement for any logistic company. The company has its own sister concern named as “Step One Transport Co.” which has its own transporting facility. Under the shade of our transport, we have very good number of vehicle of different category, different type and different model for the various requirements of our clients.
• We have a huge no of vehicle used for our respective client only. Even we may suffer a workless day but still we don’t rent these transports to others. All these are kept in road watery condition for all time. Our company driver, supervisor, and executives remain on call to meet the emergency requirement of our clients. We are capable of out sourcing any number of vehicles to meet any exclusive requirement of our customers. We have reputation and honor to provide more than 50 trucks per day for shifting goods from Chittagong port to any location of Bangladesh.

• In the area of Warehousing, presently we are providing more than 200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand) square feet of space to our valued customer. Our principal customer in this regards are Huawei Bangladesh ltd, LM Ericsson Bangladesh Ltd, Robi Axiata Bangladesh Ltd, Nokia Siemens Network Limited, ZTE Bangladesh Ltd etc.
• All these warehouses are located in different location of Bangladesh, but all are well connected with very good Internet connection. Available highest technology is used for communication including dedicated internet connectivity through optical fiber, standby power system, CCTV system with recording facility. And all these are centrally connected with our Head office in Dhaka, so that we can monitor the daily activities, set priority on customer request. We have the capability to outsource these warehouses in any convenient location within the country.
• Presently a negotiation is also on going to operate a good member of warehouse in abroad also. We are very confident that by this year our overseas warehousing will be also in operation.

Work force:

• Step One group has adequate workforce all around Bangladesh
• Currently we have more than 500 employee and worker
• We also recruit employee if we need for any project around the year

Training:

• For better outcome we arrange training for our employee.
• For specific customer we arrange training program for our employee.

Working environment:

• Our managers are committed and trained to provide the best possible working environment for our employee.
• We are concerned to our employee health and safety issue.
• We provide sufficient equipments to make work more easier.

Employee Motivation:

• To achieve organizational goal it is very important to motivate our employee.
• Our workforce is dedicated to our company and also for our valued customer .
• We provide bonus , holiday and overtime allowances to motivate our employee.
• We organize event for our employee and take them for vacation to refresh their mind .

Meeting and Monitoring:

• Staff meetings are held on a regular basis for your benefit as well as for the Organization.
• Management also discuss and monitor our existing project .
• We also arrange meeting with our valued customer for feedback.

Communication:

• It is important for every employee to have a good sense of “what’s going on” in the Organization.
• It is management’s responsibility to keep everyone informed of ongoing changes and news affecting the Organization and our people.

Company’s strength:

• Efficient in customs clearing/forwarding.
• Efficient in freight forwarding in air, sea and land ports.
• Efficient in transportation with different types of vehicles for all types of terrains and weather.
• Efficient in packing and moving support.
• Capable of providing excellent warehouse facilities.
• Experienced and skilled manpower under dynamic leadership and management.
• Sound financial strength with strong relationship with air and sea carriers
• Single point of contact, thus cost effective and quicker time-to-market.

INLAND TRANSPORTATION OF STEP ONE GROUP

Step One Air & Sea Freight has been providing inland freight transportation services to its customers. It has its own fleet of covered vans and pick ups. It has been undertaking the transportation activities of its customers anywhere in Bangladesh covering all the districts and even the remote parts of the districts. For its telecom industry clients, Step One Air & Sea Freight provided massive support for their BSC and BTS installations with its inland freight transportation capability even to the remotest part of the country which helped their telecommunications network cover those remotest parts.  It is also capable of providing the freight transportation for its customers encompassing covered pick-ups, open trucks, covered vans, lorries and even passenger transport to almost anywhere in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has a monsoon (rainy season) in a calendar year except 3/4 months. As such in order to protect consignment from damage, wet, covered lorries or some improvised all weather protection measures are essential in our logistic trade. Therefore, considering the great interests of the shippers/consignees, our fleet of vehicles are  made compatible to meet the freight transportation needs of the rural/remote areas still with the excellent services in different terrain and weather conditions. We also introduced improvised all weather protection measures for other open transports. Step One Air & Sea Freight is efficient in the inland transportation management with its skilled manpower.

Packaging & Moving:

This company is one of the leading and expert organizations in packing and moving industry also. We pack cargo of the customers and arrange movement of the package as per the need of our valued customers.

Warehousing & Storing:

Warehousing is another important part in the services we provide to our customers. Step One Air & Sea Freight has been providing warehouse service to the customers to meet their requirement of the warehouse. Step One Air & Sea Freight has the efficient warehouse management team and workforce that have been rendering services like goods receiving, storing with the customized layout design and distribution as per demand of the customers. They also manage the inventory with the computerized management and reporting system everyday. Warehouse facilities like forklift, hydraulic trolley, transportation, internet facility, security personnel, electricity generator, air conditioner, etc along with the required space are also provided in line with the customers’ requirement. Step One Air & Sea Freight provides the customers with the warehouse as the customers require it.

Customer service:

Our organization exists only because of customers. Without the customer we don’t have an organization, they are the only reason we are here. As a result, taking care of our customers is our highest priority, in fact a privilege, never an interruption. For us the customer always comes first.

Corresponding Bank:

Name of Bank: HSBC, Standard Chartered, Brac Bank & Rupali Bank Bangladesh Ltd., etc.

General Information:

International Airport

• Zia International Airport, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Chittagong Airport, Bangladesh
• Sylhet Airport, Bangladesh

Sea Ports

• Chittagong Port
• Mongla Port

Dry Ports

• Dhaka ICD
• Benapole

Chittagong Port:

It is the biggest seaport in Bangladesh from where 95% international export-import activities are being conducted every day with relevant facilities. Facilities are available covering all ports installations including customs bonded areas and cargo storage yards. All the containers (both empty and loaded) are kept in these yards. The mother vessel carriers are not in operation in Chittagong due to shortage of deepness in the sea, as such all feeder companies carry cargo from Chittagong to Singapore from where mother companies have the access to  bulk and container cargos of various ports of the world.

The following shipping lines have their office in Chittagong and Dhaka.

• Maersk Sealand
• P&O Nedloyd
• DSR Senator
• YML
• OOCL
• Mitsui OSK
• Evergreen
• Hyundai
• Hanjin Shipping Line
• Cho Yang Line
• APL

Mongla Port:

Mongla Port is situated towards south of Dhaka. It is 500 kilometers away from Dhaka-the capital of Bangladesh. This port is less busy due to lack of depth of the river. The following shipping lines have their office in this port area:

• APL
• Maersk Line
• Evergreen
• Hanjin Shipping
• Hyundai

Inland Container Depots (ICD):

This depot is situated in Dhaka city and became important for handling FCL containers. Dhaka EPZ (Export Processing Zone) is taking its advantage to bring their imported items into their factory and export to various destinations/countries. The railway department is playing vital role in bringing container from Chittagong to ICD Dhaka and vice versa. All shipping lines use railway wagon to get this service from Dhaka to Chittagong and vice versa.

Import & Export

Import Procedure:

1. Pro forma invoice is to be collected from the supplier with supplier’s & consignee’s addresses, goodss description, quantity, value, unit price/rate, H.S. code, total amount, etc. to be included.
2. Supplier’s banking details-bank name, address, account number, telephone number, etc is to be provided.
3. Consignee’s application to bank on leter-head pad (with the pro forma invoice and banking details).
4. After the application, the bank will require Import Registration Certificate (IRC) to open the L/C. VAT Registration Certificate, TIN certificate, Trade License may be required by some banks in some cases.

After the process is completed, the bank will require the amount equal to the L/C amount. After the deposit of the amount is made, L/C opening bank will ready the L/C and insurance papers. The L/C opening bank will inform the supplier’s bank. The L/C opening bank will send the papers to the supplier’s bank. Supplier’s bank will inform supplier about the receiving of the papers and ask them to ship the goods. The supplier will talk to a PSI company and will send the goods. Shipment arriving at port, the consignee needs to go to the bank and seek whether the documents (sent by the supplier and PSI Company) have reached the bank. When the documents are collected from bank and submitted to Customs, the goods can be released.

Import-Cum-Export/Returnable Import:

Supplier can be asked to send the goods (supplier will send the goods directly to the consignee). Supplier can send the goods without L/C and PSI. But in the invoice and in the packing list, Import-on-Returnable-Basis must be mentioned. Import-cum-Export permit needs to be collected from CCI& E. This permit along with the CCI&E certified documents needs to be submitted to Customs.

Customs will assess the goods. And a bank guarantee, equal to the Customs duty and taxes on Assessable Value, needs to be submitted. After submitting the bank guarantee, goods can be released. After finishing the work, the goods need to be re-exported within the validity date of the Import-cum-Export permit and bank guarantee. After submitting the re-export papers to Customs, bank guarantee can be released.

Export-Cum-Import/Repair:

In this case, the invoice and packing list of the goods needs to be readied and application is to be submitted to CCI&E on the consignee’s letter-head pad along with the invoice and the packing list for the Export-cum-Import permission. With the same, bank guarantee equal to the invoice value is to be submitted to CCI&E. After receiving CCI&E permission, Bangladesh Bank permission needs to be obtained. Then the documents need to be submitted to Customs and the goods can be shipped.

After repair, when the goods will be returned, they (the goods) need to be released with the import documents on the basis of the previous export documents. After submitting the documents, the goods can be released from Customs. When the documents related to the release of the goods is submitted to CCI&E, the bank guarantee submitted to CC&E previously can be released.

Import Clearance Documents and Procedure:

The following documents are needed for Customs clearance:

• Letter of Authorization
• Bank NOC
• Original Bill of Lading (B/L) Or Master Air Way Bill Certified by Bank
• Original Invoice Certified by Bank
• Original Packing List Certified by Bank
• Original L/C
• Original LCA
• Original Bill of Exchange
• Proforma Invoice Certified by Bank
• Original/ Copy of Importer VAT Registration Certificate
• Catalogue/Photograph Etc.
• Original Country of Origin Certificate
• CRF Certificate
• VBF6 A Form
• Annex 9 Form
• Original Insurance Cover Note with Policy
• Insurance Money receipt
• Bill of Entry Signed by the Consignee’s Signing Authority (as LCA Form Signature & Sealed)

Note: The above documents need to sealed & signed by the concerned signing authority. To clear the shipment against shipping guarantee, please contact shipping line. For further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

After the shipment arrives at port, the bank certified above documents are collected from the consignee. The complete set of documents with a filled up Bill of Entry is submitted at Customs. After submission of the Bill of Entry, the consignment goes through the Customs Examination. After getting the Examination report, the papers are submitted for Customs Assessment for calculation of duty and taxes. After the receiving the duty and tax figure, the consignee is informed for paying the Customs duty and taxes. After receiving the payment from the consignee, the amount of the duty and tax is deposited at the bank Then the release order issued from Customs is received. Then it needs to go to the warehouse authority with the release order and pay the warehouse charge. And finally the good are released from the warehouse and handed over to the consignee.

Outbound Cargo Handling Procedure

 Chittaong Port:

Shipper reports the details of the Forwarder/Consolidator. Forwarder/Consolidator obtains the booking note for the CFS or CY Loading (as the case may be) from the carrier and endorse this booking note to the shipper and/ or his clearing and forwarding (C&F) agent.

Step One Air & Sea Freight (C&F Agent) picks up the goods from the shipper warehouse and delivers to the port.

Step One Air & Sea Freight submits the shipping bill and other documents to the custom authorities for appraisement/custom examination and allow loading permission which consume approximately one working day.

After examination and allowing of loading permission from customs and after obtaining customs paper from C&F agent of the shipment, we supervise the stuffing of cargo into the containers and loading of the container on-board the vessel through shipping company.

We obtain the B/L from the carrier and issue the House Bill of Lading to the shipper and send the required documents to destination.

If a shipment arrives late at the port or for any reason is left back and miss the target feeder vessel and as a result, the buyer want the cargo to be air freighted which the cargo is already at the seaport, it normally takes 7/8 days for cancellation of the shipping bill and removal of cargo from the seaport or movement of cargo from seaport to airport under customs escort and under the same shipping bill.

3/4 days prior to the arrival of vessel at the port, the vessel is allotted an EGM (Export General Manifest) numbered by the port authorities. Without this EGM number the shipping bill cannot be filed with the customs.

On the basis of the EGM number allotted to the vessel each shipping line files a manifest with the customs together with the copies of notice receipt to get the fourth copy of shipping bill endorsed by customs

This fourth copy of shipping bill duly endorsed by customs is mandatory to obtain the export visa for quota merchandise from EPB (Export Promotion Bureau).

If the cargo misses the target vessel and needs to move on to the next available vessel, the procedure consumes one working day to amend the vessel name in custom papers

 CFS Facilities:

Cargo can be stuffed at the terminal. Shipping lines and Forwarders are normally advised to maintain flexibility in operations. Therefore they normally plan in a way so that each B/L quantity may be examined and packed without delay in the operation.

Air Freight Export:

Shipper reports the details of cargo to the Forwarders/Consolidators. Forwarders/Consolidators obtain the booking from the carrier and endorse this booking note to the shipper and/or his clearing and forwarding agent.

C&F agent submits the shipping bill and other documents to the custom authorities for appraisement/custom examination and allows loading permission, which consume approximately one working day. To obtain visa from EPB shipper need original shipping copy of shipping bill duly approved by custom and dummy copy from the forwarder. A shipper may airfreight without visa but shipper usually send visa along with the shipment in order to avoid any complication at destination.

After examination, the authority allow loading permission from customs and after obtaining customs paper from the C&F agent of the shippers, we as forwarder supervise the stuffing of cargo into the container and pallets and hand over to the airlines.

We obtain visa from the shipper and issue original House Air Way Bill (HAWB) to the shipper and send required documents to destination office or along with the consignment.

Warehouse Facility:

Usually Biman controls these warehouses for both export and import. Foreign carriers use the warehouses of Biman on rental basis.

Customs House:

Sunday to Thursday 09.00 –17.00 hrs. Friday and Saturday closed. Custom clearance allows live animal and perishable items.

FOB Shipments:

Few airlines require undertaking from shipper for guarantee of freight payment if it’s undelivered/refused by the consignee at destination.

Customs Handling Procedure:

Shipper reports cargo readiness and booking of his cargo and reservation of MAWB/HAWB as per L/C terms and conditions.

MAWB/HAWB is prepared and retained back unless the cargo is picked up and handed over to the airlines.

The process of customs clearance takes couple of hours.

Marking of MAWB & HAWB and destination is determined by the forwarder as per shipper’s instruction.

Finally the cargo is handed over to airlines along with shipping bill for its pallatization or bulk loading.

Sister Concerns:

Step One Air & Sea Freight has three sister concerns. They are Salvation Logistics Limited, Techno Fair and Unitech.

• Salvation Logistics Limited:

Salvation Logistics Limited operates in all major ports in Bangladesh with its own Clearing & Forwarding license. It handles customs clearing and forwarding procedures of shipments of our valued customers. Salvation Logistics Limited works side by side with Step One Air & Sea Freight- one strengthening the other. It gives our valued customers the confidence to rely on us better.

Salvation Logistics Limited has all the supports, facilities and strength Step One Air & Sea Freight has which have been detailed above in the description of the profile of Step One Air & Sea Freight.

• Techno Fair:

Techno Fair has been established since the inception of Step One Air & Sea Freight and it has been providing services since then. It provides export, import and supplier’s facilities on behalf of our valued customers.

Techno Fair provides export and import services for those clients who want to export or import goods using our own license along with receiving our Clearing & Forwarding services. It provides our valued customers the opportunity to receive full export, import and supplier’s service facilities with all procedures vested on us.

Techno Fair also has BTRC vendor license which facilitates it to export, import and handle telecommunications equipment. With the growing network of telecommunications activities, Techno Fair took the opportunity of providing its telecommunications industry customers full support of handling their telecommunications equipment anywhere in Bangladesh.

• Unitech:

Unitech is also the sister concern of Step One Air & Sea Freight also providing the export, import and supplier’s service facilities to our valued customers. It helps to meet the growing demands of our customers.

Our sister concerns strengthen the services we already provide. Besides they have their own set functions for which they have been established. They all together instill confidence in our valued customers that we are unique, complete and dependable in the services we provide.

A LIST OF SOME OF OUR VALUABLE CUSTOMERS FOR REFERENCE

Yearly Growth Rate

CONCLUSION

The mission of Step One Air & Sea Freight is to provide the best quality logistics services to the customers. Its integrated logistics programs extend the benefits to the customers beyond basic clearing, forwarding, transportation and warehousing. We qualify our customer’s gains in terms of their key business objectives by satisfying their requirements as efficiently as possible.