Properly organized delivery of building materials is critically important for companies and distributors. However, this is a difficult process due to the weight of the cargo, different types of packaging and the need for customs clearance. What to pay attention to and how to simplify and speed up the transportation of building materials – we will consider further.
What documents are required for the transportation of building materials
Delivery of building materials is one of the most complex types of logistics due to large dimensions and significant weight.
What types of building materials are most often transported abroad:
- loose building materials (sand, crushed stone, gravel, cement mixtures);
- sheet and tile materials (drywall, plywood, panels, OSB-plates);
- liquid building materials (bitumen, resins, paint, chemical mixtures);
- materials that are sensitive to conditions (cement, glass, ceramic tiles, thermal insulation materials);
- metal structures and fittings (rolled metal, beams, profiles, fittings);
- oversized and heavy cargo (concrete blocks, reinforced concrete structures, floor slabs, beams).
In general, this is a large group of goods that differs in requirements for transportation and customs clearance. This applies to both the import of building materials and the export of building materials.
Basic transport documents
For the delivery of building materials, the following documents must be issued:
- invoice;
- packing list;
- transport invoice (CRM, bill of lading, etc.);
- customs declaration;
- certificate of origin or EUR.1 certificate for trade with the EU (if necessary);
- insurance policy (for expensive or oversized cargo).
For some materials used in construction, quality certificates, compliance with standards, and technical product passports may be required. Most often this applies to cement, building mixtures, metal structures, rolled metal, thermal insulation materials, building panels and slabs, double-glazed windows and facade systems, electrical elements for construction, paints, varnishes and chemical building materials. Certificates may not be required for bulk materials, ordinary bricks and some types of wood.
Commercial and customs documents
All documents required for the delivery of building materials can be divided into the following conditional groups: commercial, customs, transport and permit (certification).
| Type of documents | Examples of documents |
| commercial | invoice, contract or delivery agreement, product specification, packing list, invoice |
| customs | customs declaration (export, import, transit), certificate of origin |
| transport | road consignment note CRM, Bill of Lading (bill of lading), air waybill AWB, railway consignment note CIM |
| permits | certificate of conformity, quality certificate, declaration of conformity, phytosanitary certificate, veterinary certificate, technical passports of products |
Features of organizing the transportation of construction cargo
Organizing the transportation of construction cargo is a complex and responsible process that requires careful preparation and compliance with special conditions. In addition, they are different for each type of material. For example, for bulk materials, airtight containers are required, sheet materials – packing in bundles or placing on pallets, large-sized materials – special and reliable fixation.
For some types of building materials, it is critical to observe temperature and humidity conditions, in particular cement and plywood. To avoid damage to materials that are especially sensitive to moisture or cold, it is important to take into account weather conditions, as they can significantly affect the delivery of building materials. During rainy periods or in winter, it is necessary to provide protection from precipitation and low temperatures.
Typical errors in document processing and transportation
Most often, difficulties in the delivery of building materials arise due to restrictions on the weight of transport and additional requirements for certification.
What are the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make when organizing the transportation of construction cargo:
- insufficiently detailed planning;
- incorrect choice of transport;
- an ill-considered route;
- lack of special permits;
- not taking into account the weather and season;
- inadequate description of the product;
- errors in the UKT ZED product code.
Building materials are mainly transported in large batches, so if the weight, number of places and actual volume of the cargo do not match in the documents, customs will order an additional inspection. Such practices negatively affect delivery times and delays in customs clearance.
How to avoid delays and problems in international transportation
Most often, problems in the transportation of building materials are associated with incorrect documentation and insufficient transportation planning.
In order not to disrupt deliveries, not to let partners and customers down, companies cooperate with experienced logistics companies and customs brokers. This is one of the most effective ways, because professional logisticians prepare, check documents and control transportation to the final destination.
Conclusion
Do you need to carry out international transportation of building materials? TVL specialists will make delivery for you fast and comfortable.
While professionals will control customs clearance and transportation at all stages, you can focus on your own business tasks.
Transport and logistics company TVL is a reliable partner with extensive experience in international cargo transportation and customs brokerage services.
