With e-commerce and new online promotion channels, the scope of business initiatives is increasing significantly, giving rise to new business opportunities. for entrepreneurs worldwide.
While every process entails certain challenges, this new reality increases the likelihood of success even in small markets thanks to the ability to export.
One of the most important aspects when making a product reach consumers in other countries, is to have access to a temporary warehouse, spaces with special permits designed to store merchandise from abroad while the entire customs authorization process is carried out.
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They are known as temporary warehouses because they will only hold merchandise for a limited time, with 30 days being the maximum allowed in most countries. While this may not always be the most appropriate option, many companies use them due to their convenience and availability.
Understanding how these deposits work, it is important that you know what the most important qualities are that they must have:
Location
Location is one of the most important aspects because it will determine how long your merchandise will be "exposed" before reaching a safe place, but more importantly, it will impact its transportation costs. Likewise, it will affect the cost and duration of transportation to distributors or consumers within the country.
But the value of location lies not only in these variables, but also in others such as climate, since extreme temperatures and adverse weather conditions can damage merchandise if it is not transported and stored with the utmost care.
Security
Security is an essential aspect when storing merchandise, especially outdoors, where you have virtually no control over the variables involved in storing and protecting your products.
From the measures implemented to ensure the arrival and departure of merchandise in specialized vehicles to access control and movement within the facilities, it is necessary to know what type of protocols the warehouse has in place to secure the merchandise.
Among the devices most used by these warehouses we can find video surveillance systems, such as a POE IP camera or similar; access control turnstiles with magnetic cards or biometric credentials; sensors to detect fires and risky weather variables; and automated alarms.
Infrastructure
However, warehouse security measures are of little importance if it doesn't have the appropriate infrastructure, as this will determine the condition of your merchandise throughout its stay. From IoT systems to analyze environmental conditions to appropriate machinery for the safe transport of products, these are just some of the elements that will come into contact with your products.
One of the most important tools for any temporary warehouse is inventory management software, as it allows you to know exactly how many products are available at all times and how many are being dispatched appropriately, reducing the likelihood of fraud.
Dimensions
While most entrepreneurs and small business owners shouldn't focus too much on the size of a temporary warehouse when they're just starting out in exporting, more experienced business owners should give this aspect greater importance, as it will determine the number of products that can be stored at a given time.
Knowing the available space is also important because it can affect a company's ability to consistently receive merchandise, avoiding potential delays if they don't have the necessary space at a given time.
Years of Experience
Last but not least, it's always advisable to choose warehouses with a good reputation among importers and exporters, as well as sufficient experience to respond appropriately to any difficulties that may arise during the process, from storage to transportation of the goods.
Because these warehouses function as storage spaces while customs procedures are completed, they often provide additional assistance throughout the merchandise legalization process, as well as maintain a friendly relationship with the relevant entities to avoid any mishaps.
In some cases, it's even possible to find multipurpose warehouse companies with different storage systems to provide additional services, such as extending the legal storage time of merchandise within the country.
With the help of new technologies, the business world is transforming to provide a much more democratic profitability than in the past. Exports, as a key element in this expansion process, will have to be carried out in a planned manner to ensure that all links in the value chain can function properly.
CFGS in Marketing and Advertising and Administration and Finance. RRYP marketing specialist.
