Airport-to-airport
Assess uplift between the nominated departure and arrival airports, including the carrier’s cargo acceptance and handling cut-offs.
APEX UNIVERSAL LOGISTICS / FREIGHT SERVICES
Freight services that start with the details.
Shipping cost, transit and handling are determined by your cargo—not a generic service label. Explore each transport mode, learn what the quote needs to cover and prepare a shipment enquiry with the right information from the start.
01Cargo profileDimensions, gross weight, commodity and packing
02Route & deadlinesPrecise origin, destination and ready date
03Written scopeIncluded charges, handovers and exclusions
SERVICES & SHIPPING SCOPE
Choose a mode. Understand the whole movement.
A booking may involve several parties: the pickup carrier, terminal, airline or vessel operator, customs broker, destination warehouse and final-delivery provider. Apex reviews the scope requested and coordinates the agreed stages where service availability is confirmed. The written quotation identifies responsibilities rather than assuming every handover is automatically included.
FREIGHT SERVICE 01
Airport, priority and delivery planning
International Air Freight
Air freight is considered when a shipment’s value, production deadline or delivery window makes ocean transit impractical. The planning work is not simply booking an aircraft: the cargo must meet an airline’s dimensions, acceptance rules, security requirements and airport cut-off times.
When to consider this service
Discuss this service
Best suited to time-sensitive components, replenishment stock, product launches and commercial freight where shorter transit may justify higher transport cost. The route and confirmed space—not a generic transit promise—determine whether air transport is suitable.
Information we need for a quote
- Collection address and delivery address, including airport options if known
- Commodity description, gross weight, dimensions and package count for every piece
- Cargo-ready date, latest acceptable arrival and consignee receiving hours
- Commercial invoice and packing list for cross-border movements
- Details of batteries, liquids, magnetic goods, aerosols or other regulated contents
What we review before confirming
- 01Confirm actual versus dimensional weight; the carrier determines the chargeable-weight rule.
- 02Check whether cargo fits normal aircraft handling or needs special acceptance.
- 03Compare available routing, scheduled handovers and airport security requirements.
- 04Present charges and exclusions for pickup, main carriage, destination and delivery.
Important: Air capacity, dangerous-goods acceptance, security screening, customs release and cut-off times vary by route. No flight, transit commitment or temperature-controlled handling is confirmed until accepted in writing.
FREIGHT SERVICE 02
Containers, consolidation and port handovers
Ocean Freight: FCL & LCL
Sea freight is frequently appropriate for heavier, higher-volume or less time-sensitive shipments. Choosing a full container or consolidated space affects packing arrangements, document requirements, terminal handling and the way cargo is delivered after the vessel arrives.
When to consider this service
Discuss this service
Use FCL when container utilisation, cargo control or a single sealed load makes sense. Explore LCL when shipment volume does not justify a dedicated container; compare total origin and destination costs, not just the ocean-freight line.
Information we need for a quote
- Port of loading, port of discharge and any door collection/delivery addresses
- Cargo description, HS code if available, dimensions, packed weight and total volume (CBM)
- Preferred container type or pallet/carton count for LCL
- Commercial invoice, packing list and shipper/consignee information
- Incoterms, cargo-ready date and export/import responsibility
What we review before confirming
- 01Select FCL or LCL using cargo volume, handling and overall landed cost.
- 02Confirm equipment availability and booking/cut-off requirements.
- 03Plan stuffing or consolidation, cargo receipt, bill-of-lading instructions and verified gross mass where applicable.
- 04Identify potential terminal storage, demurrage, detention and delivery charges.
Important: Vessel schedules and transit estimates can change. Freight charges do not automatically include customs duty, demurrage, detention, port storage, insurance or final delivery; the accepted quotation must show what is included.
FREIGHT SERVICE 03
Pickup windows, load types and site access
Road Freight & Final-Mile Delivery
Road transport connects warehouses, ports, airports and delivery addresses. Vehicle selection depends on pallet dimensions, load weight, loading equipment, site access and the actual pickup and receiving windows—not simply the mileage between two postal codes.
When to consider this service
Discuss this service
Useful for regional freight, pallet distribution, warehouse replenishment and the inland leg of an international movement. For urgent road freight, evaluate a dedicated option against route restrictions and the availability of vehicles and drivers.
Information we need for a quote
- Full collection and delivery addresses with business hours and contact arrangements
- Pallet and carton quantities, package dimensions, gross weight and stackability
- Loading and unloading equipment, dock height and forklift availability
- Requested collection/delivery windows and any appointment or security procedures
- Border-crossing documentation when the movement passes between countries
What we review before confirming
- 01Classify load as full-truck, part-load or terminal-based groupage.
- 02Check vehicle access, permitted payload and any specialised handling.
- 03Document pickups, transfer points, waiting-time terms and delivery appointments.
- 04Confirm proof-of-delivery requirements and who receives the freight.
Important: Transit estimates depend on road access, route rules, border processes, driver-hour restrictions and local conditions. Tail-lift service, detention, redelivery and appointment fees may be additional.
FREIGHT SERVICE 04
Coordinating multiple transport legs
Rail & Intermodal Freight
Intermodal freight combines a longer-distance rail or ocean leg with road movement at either end. The important question is whether the route has suitable terminals, equipment and transfer arrangements for the shipment’s weight, schedule and delivery location.
When to consider this service
Discuss this service
Potentially suitable for containerised cargo moving along established inland corridors, especially when total transport cost and route efficiency matter more than the shortest possible delivery time.
Information we need for a quote
- Origin, destination and nearest feasible freight terminals
- Container type, seal requirements, loaded weight and cargo dimensions
- Cargo-ready date, receiving window and last-mile truck requirements
- Whether the load can stay within one sealed container during transport
- Responsibilities for terminal fees, equipment return and customs procedures
What we review before confirming
- 01Confirm an operating rail corridor and available terminal combination.
- 02Review loading and transfer points, handling risks and cut-off times.
- 03Compare the full intermodal cost with an alternative road movement.
- 04Set out who coordinates each handover and which tracking milestones are available.
Important: Intermodal availability is corridor-specific. Rail schedules, terminal conditions and road connections can alter the total transit time; a quoted rail leg is not a guaranteed end-to-end delivery service.
FREIGHT SERVICE 05
Receiving, storage and outbound handovers
Warehousing & Distribution Coordination
Freight often needs an intermediate storage or handling point before the final destination is ready. The warehouse scope must be defined carefully: receiving and storage are different from inventory management, fulfilment, relabelling or returns processing.
When to consider this service
Discuss this service
Useful for import distribution, temporary storage between transport legs, staggered deliveries, retail replenishment or a project that needs several consignments assembled before onward shipping.
Information we need for a quote
- Warehouse city and delivery point, expected arrival frequency and lead time
- SKU or commodity list, carton count, pallet footprint and total weight
- Storage duration, handling equipment and any racking or floor-storage need
- Inventory accuracy requirements, labelling instructions and dispatch frequency
- Special conditions such as temperature, security, regulated goods or serial tracking
What we review before confirming
- 01Define the receiving standard and what constitutes an accepted inbound delivery.
- 02Separate storage, handling, picking and transport charges in the proposed scope.
- 03Agree dispatch instructions, order cut-offs and inventory reporting expectations.
- 04Confirm which facilities, handling tools and services are actually available for the route.
Important: Apex coordinates warehouse requirements where suitable partner capacity is confirmed. The website does not represent Apex as owning a particular warehouse, operating a WMS or providing temperature-controlled storage by default.
FREIGHT SERVICE 06
Classification, declarations and border handovers
Customs Documents & Trade Coordination
A shipment can be booked for transport yet remain delayed if invoices, classifications or consignee instructions are incomplete. Cross-border planning starts with clearly identifying the goods, parties to the transaction, applicable Incoterm and import/export responsibilities.
When to consider this service
Discuss this service
Relevant to imports, exports, cross-border road movements, consolidated shipments and cargo that must satisfy product-specific licences, permits or inspection requirements.
Information we need for a quote
- Commercial invoice showing buyer, seller, value, currency and goods description
- Packing list with piece counts, weights and detailed packaging information
- HS tariff classification and country of origin where known
- Correct shipper, consignee and importer-of-record details
- Incoterms, permits, certificates and broker authorisations where required
What we review before confirming
- 01Identify the export and import jurisdictions and responsible parties.
- 02Collect commercial and transport documents before scheduled handover.
- 03Route technical classification and declaration questions to the authorised trade specialist.
- 04Confirm clearance or release instructions before arranging onward transport.
Important: Only duly authorised parties should make customs declarations. Duties, tariffs, inspections, licence requirements and admissibility are determined by applicable rules; Apex does not guarantee customs release or exemptions.
YOUR QUOTATION, EXPLAINED
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What's in a complete freight quote?
Two quotations may look very different even when they cover the same route. Ask which cost components are included and which will be billed separately.
Origin arrangements
Pickup, export packaging or warehouse handling, inland transport, terminal receiving and export formalities where included.
Main transportation
Air, ocean, road or combined carriage, together with the equipment type, routing assumptions and any relevant surcharge basis.
Destination charges
Terminal or warehouse handling, release documents, destination customs responsibilities and the agreed onward transport.
Conditions & extras
Insurance, customs duties and taxes, examinations, storage, demurrage, detention, waiting time and redelivery where applicable.
A quotation request is not a confirmed booking. Carrier availability, cargo acceptance, customs treatment, pricing and estimated transit are confirmed against the actual shipment details.
SERVICE QUESTIONS
Before you ship
Answers to the questions that most often affect freight scope and cost.
How do I compare air and ocean freight?
Start with the cargo-ready date, required arrival, gross weight, packed dimensions and volume. Air can be useful for urgent or high-value consignments, while sea freight often suits larger volumes. Compare the complete door-to-door cost and the handling stages—not only the linehaul rate.
Is LCL always cheaper than FCL?
No. LCL may suit a smaller consignment, but origin consolidation, destination deconsolidation and delivery charges can affect the total. A full container may make more sense for higher volumes, sensitive cargo or particular handling needs. Request both options when volume is close to a crossover point.
Who is responsible for customs duties?
Responsibilities depend on the agreed sale terms, importer-of-record arrangements and local law. A freight quotation should identify the customs service scope separately. The importer and exporter remain responsible for providing accurate commercial and regulatory information.
Does Apex guarantee delivery dates?
Transit estimates depend on confirmed routing, cut-offs, capacity, weather, inspections and release conditions. A guaranteed commitment applies only when it is expressly confirmed in the accepted written service agreement.
Can I request special cargo handling?
Yes, describe the item, packaging, weight, dimensions and exact requirements. Regulated, oversized, high-value, temperature-sensitive or fragile cargo needs a separate suitability and carrier-acceptance review before any promise is made.
READY TO PLAN YOUR SHIPMENT?
Send the cargo details. We'll review the options.
Include your route, goods, carton or pallet count, gross weight, measurements, ready date and any unusual handling requirements.