Resolving Overpaid Freight: How We Cut Transit by 5 Days and Saved 15%

The Challenge

Itdo (Big Stocks) imports large volumes of shelf-life-sensitive food and beverage ingredients from Ho Chi Minh City to New York. The client was facing several logistical challenges that impacted their transit schedules, including:

• Suboptimal, Slow Routing: Transit times routinely exceeded 35-37 days due to unnecessary transshipment stops.
• Inflated Ocean Freight Rates: The previous forwarder relied on limited, rigid service contract tiers, overcharging during peak capacity windows.
• U.S. Customs (CBP) Vulnerabilities: Incomplete AMS/ISF documentation filing led to repeated document examinations, custom holds, and potential regulatory fines.

The Solution

Mai Phuong Logistics coordinated with the client's team to optimize their Transpacific logistics chain. We implemented a three-tier adjustment:

1. Carrier-Neutral Route Redesign

We leveraged our relations with multiple ocean carriers to design a flexible shipping plan. We matched the shipment window with direct services, choosing port-pair combinations that bypass congested transshipment hubs.

2. Dual-Layer Customs Compliance Pre-Filings

We established standard operating procedures (SOPs). Our export team reviewed packing lists, commercial invoices, and HS classifications 72 hours before vessel loading. We pre-filed AMS and ISF submissions directly with U.S. CBP systems.