Essentially, International Supply Chain Management is the process for tracking your product’s entire life cycle, from raw materials and planning its overseas production up to the international delivery to the end customer.

• The process involves management of six key areas: supply planning, product planning, demand planning, sales and operations planning, supply management and logistics.
• Certain industries will refer to the supply chain as International Logistics, while in other industries they view logistics as a component of the International Supply Chain.
• No matter the terminology, businesses need an understanding of how to manage the movement of their goods within an increasingly more complex global environment.
• Fundamentally, international supply chain management will span end-to-end global trade activities, such as the management of global suppliers, multinational production processes, international transportation and overseas third-party service providers.
• Ensuring compliance with trade regulations, customs requirements, and industry-specific regulations.
• Maintaining accurate documentation and records.
• Regularly reviewing and optimizing supply chain processes to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance overall performance.

An international consolidation warehouse is normally a third-party storage facility in the country of export, which is used to combine small shipments into a larger more economical shipment bound for the same destination.

• International consolidation warehouse facilities are usually strategically situated in either a seaport or airport to accommodate for the export formalities.
• The international consolidation warehouse typically utilises advanced technology to provide visibility of cargo receipts, inventory stored, the consolidation fulfilment operations and the despatches of shipments.
• The warehouse consolidation process allows the shipper to reduce shipping, reduce the number of dispatches, optimise their supply chain logistics and improve the customer experience.
• International consolidation warehouses are a modern way to bring flexibility and efficiency, manage seasonal inventory upsurges and cost reductions within global supply chains.
• At ICS Global Services, we provide independent advice and strategies to optimise international supply chains.
• Consider factors such as proximity to suppliers and customers, transportation infrastructure, labor availability, and regulatory compliance when choosing new warehouse locations
• Evaluate the potential for cost savings and improved service levels.

Cross trade, also known as third-party or triangle trade, is a type of international trade transaction in which goods or commodities are bought and sold between two parties located in different countries, without the goods physically entering the seller’s or buyer’s home country. Instead, the goods are shipped directly from the seller in one country to the buyer in another, often passing through a third country or territory. Cross trade transactions are common in global trade and can involve various products and industries.

• Seller (Exporter): The entity or company that sells the goods to the buyer.
• Buyer (Importer): The entity or company that purchases the goods.
• Third Party (Trader or Intermediary): This party facilitates the transaction by connecting the buyer and seller, handling documentation, and often financing the trade. The third party may be a trading company, a logistics provider, or a specialized intermediary.
• Cost Savings: Cross trade can often result in cost savings as the goods bypass the intermediary’s home country, reducing transportation, handling, and storage costs associated with bringing the goods into the intermediary’s country.
• Market Access: It allows buyers and sellers to access markets they may not have been able to reach directly due to various barriers or logistical challenges.