GENERAL AND PROJECT CARGO SERVICES

1. Route Studies/Logistics Consultation	8. Booking Air/Ocean/Truck/Rail
2. Export Documentation	9. Chartering Vessels and Aircraft
3. Warehousing	10. Reporting/Tracking Shipment Status
4. Marshalling and Consolidation of Cargo	11. Customs Clearance
5. Export Pack/Crate	12. Delivery
6. Insurance	13. USAID
7. Negotiating Competitive Rates

1. Route Studies/Logistics Consultation

Matrix will allocate the necessary time and resources to provide our clients with accurate transportation and destination country information. Frequent travel and feasibility studies in destination countries have provided Matrix a unique opportunity to fully understand and operate within the policies and procedures imposed by foreign government officials in-country.  Our management team frequently visits overseas US Government offices and host country business counterparts to discuss both program and site specific issues.  It is this first hand experience both at home and abroad that has enabled us to fully understand and operate within the policies and procedures imposed.  Travel to overseas posts also allows Matrix personnel to inspect conditions at airports, rail yards, and truck depots in developing countries.  These first hand site surveys give Matrix an accurate portrait of potential problems that can occur as a result of such variables as port conditions, equipment availability and quality and seasonal changes in climate.  Without this detailed analysis of foreign facilities no forwarder would be able to take the kind of pro-active approach to logistics management that Matrix offers every client with each new shipment

2. Export Documentation

The importance of accurate, complete documentation cannot be overemphasized.  Through extensive experience Matrix has developed documentation and procedures, which allow for reliable, smooth, unencumbered transit through ports and border crossings to the final destination.  Relationships and reputation with Customs can not be underestimated. Matrix proven expertise and success with these procedures and longevity of reputation worldwide is an invaluable asset in facilitating destination services.

Matrix creates all customs documentation required for air and ocean import into the destination country including the Original Master Air Waybill/Ocean Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Certificate of Origin (when required) and Packing List, and Valued Inventory.

Through experience, Matrix has found that timely Pre-alert notification at final destination is crucial in avoiding costly delays in Customs.  Our standard operating procedure is to provide recipients and destination offices with Pre-alert notification in addition to a full set of customs and shipping documents.

3. Warehousing

All warehouse services including receiving and packing are performed onsite by Matrix personnel.  All receiving and shipping data is reported directly to the Matrix Control Office creating a seemless, centralized inventory management system.

4. Marshalling and Consolidation of Cargo

Many of the projects Matrix handles are extremely complex from a logistics standpoint and involve acceptance of cargo from 40 to 50 different vendors at one time.  Through the duration of a project, Matrix is often  responsible for receiving of cargo, detailed inventory control, full warehouse documentation, consolidation of individual line items (from the multiple vendors) into individual kits for distribution to different sites at destination, and door-to-door shipment management from our warehouse to literally hundreds of outlying sites for each project.  The complexity of these projects requires Matrix to continually update and expand its tracking software to maintain control and keep accurate records of what is received and shipped at any give time.

5. Export Pack/Crate

In addition to working with carriers to move the cargo smoothly, Matrix works to minimize damages to freight while in transit.  Depending on cargo type, Matrix can arrange for packaging ranging from shrink wrapping the goods to full export crating.  Our past experience in shipping cargo to destinations such as the CIS, Africa, Asia and the Middle East provide us with an understanding of the conditions freight can be exposed to during transit to final destination, and how to export pack the freight so that it will arrive securely.  Air shipments are packed in either wooden crates or tri-wall containers to ensure cargo integrity and for easy handling.  Ocean shipments can be custom crated as necessary right on the premises.  All dangerous and hazardous goods are dispatched by our warehouse staff to a licensed hazardous materials packer for proper containerization prior to export.

6. Insurance

Matrix International offers insurance policies issued by the most established insurance companies in the world.  Due to the unique cargo receiving and packing process developed and implemented by Matrix International, we enjoy a very low claims ratio.  This enables us to provide our clients with the lowest premiums for insurance coverage available in the industry today.

The policy Matrix International has negotiated is unique in that it provides door to door coverage for your products and includes a 30 day grace period allowing sufficient time for your consignee to unpack and verify cargo count and condition.  Should there be a need to file a claim, Matrix will produce the necessary documentation and submit documents to the insurance company on your behalf.  At the request of the shipper, Matrix International will also ship the replacement item to destination.  Our high volume of shipments, low number of claims, and strong relationship with the underwriters enables us to bring all claims to closure quickly.

Cargo is insured per the terms specified by the client, normally at 110% to 120% of the CIF (cargo, insurance, and freight) value.

7. Negotiating Competitive Rates

Matrix understands how important costs are to you.  We routinely negotiate quantity discounts with airlines and ocean carriers to insure you are getting the best price and service combination.  Our company size and shipping volumes gives us the leverage to command the best rates the industry has to offer.

8. Booking Air/Ocean/Truck/Rail

Matrix books each shipment/charter with the appropriate carrier.  Matrix utilizes the most economic mode of transport to meet the required delivery date at site.

Matrix frequently meets with ocean carriers to review service lanes and available destination options.  The carriers frequently change service and in particular rotate  vessels from service to service. 

In addition to ocean freight, we offer our clients some of the most competitive airfreight rates due to the volume of cargo shipped by airfreight within the Matrix organization.  Prior to export an analysis is done of the aircraft cargo capacity for the entire route.  The size restrictions are given to the warehouse or vendor and the cargo is packed within the appropriate size limitations.  This analysis and corresponding packaging prevents the cargo from being broken down during transit.  Maintaining integrity and accountability during the entire transit. Matrix also takes into account the number of transfer points along the route and will re-enforce outside packaging to withstand the sometimes-rough handling by the dock, truck or airline staff.

In situations where cargo is to move directly from a supplier’s facility to the port/airport/railhead, Matrix issues specific delivery instructions and provides all documentation, e.g., truck bill, dock receipt, to ensure that cargo is properly received at its point of embarkation.  Matrix coordinates all to port activities with the suppliers, truckers and port/airport authorities to ensure that cargo is transferred smoothly and on time.

9. Chartering Vessels and Aircraft

In addition to transporting cargo on commercial aircraft and ocean vessels, Matrix personnel have years of experience in part-charter and full charter scenarios for both air and ocean.  Matrix has been responsible for numerous humanitarian aid shipments by aircraft and vessel on a charter basis to the CIS, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.  Many of our commercial clients have also relied upon us to deliver large oversize and out of gauge cargo via charters.  Our years of experience in this field have afforded us the opportunity to by-pass many of the brokers and approach the carriers directly.  This allows for a clearer understanding of the desired scope of service and a more competitive rate structure.

Matrix schedules charters for cargo needing security, fast delivery, size accommodations and/or delivery to a remote destination.  To keep costs down, we concentrate charter use to destinations that permit no other means of scheduled delivery.  For ocean charter, we regularly deal with special carriers such as B/B (breakbulk), Ro/Ro (roll-on/roll-off) and self contained vessels.  For air charters, depending upon ultimate destination and load to distance factors, various types of aircraft are utilized.  The equipment at our disposal includes freighter aircraft manufactured by Boeing, Lockheed, McDonnell Douglas, Ilyushin, and Antonov.

10. Reporting/Tracking Shipments

One of Matrix International Logistics, Inc.’s greatest assets is its position as the industry leader in providing accurate, real-time reporting and tracking information.  As a result of its corporate commitment to program-related logistics management, and to the integration of personnel, facilities, and state-of-the-art equipment resources, we are able to provide our clients with “In Transit Visibility” (ITV), i.e., the ability to “see” the location and status of each shipment and each line item and sub line item in that shipment at any point in time.

The acquisition of shipping status information is accomplished by comprehensive, behind-the-scenes efforts by an experienced staff of logistics professionals who investigate, plan, organize, check and recheck information from a variety of sources.  Matrix’s solid core of long term, experienced personnel are well-versed in project management.  Marix provides clients with easily accessible information for all parts of shipping process, from entry of purchase orders to shipment delivery

11. Customs Clearance

Matrix monitors the arrival of all of shipments at the Port of Entry and at ultimate destination.  Matrix will arrange receipt of shipping documents and recheck the same to ensure that all the documents are in order.  Such as:Original Bill of Lading and or Air Waybill, Original Invoice, Certificate of Origin and the Packing List

Matrix will maintain liaison with customs authorities to keep informed of changes with import documentation requirements. We advise our clients immediately of any changes or additions regarding shipping/forwarding instructions, transportation, or any other shipping documentation requirements.  Matrix provides qualified representatives to attend and witness customs inspection and clearance to ensure proper staging and safe handling of material and merchandise to avoid any loss or damage to materials during or after customs inspection.  Incoming cargo will be inspected for any apparent damage or partial/total loss while obtaining delivery.

12. Delivery

Matrix will provide and coordinate all transportation to assure prompt, damage-free delivery of cargo to destination site or any specified locations. Matrix will advise on all progress and problems and provide Project Reports on a weekly or as requested basis.  This report provides all information on all shipped cargo through to delivery at final destination.  Matrix will confirm delivery of cargo and report on the status.  Matrix will perform any other service not covered, which can reasonably be expected to assure the prompt and efficient customs clearance and forwarding services, including but not limited to, customs clearance and transportation of imported cargo arriving at seaports and airports.

13. USAID

The Matrix staff maintains the most comprehensive knowledge of USAID shipping regulations and duty free clearance requirements in the industry.  Frequent travel to beneficiary countries over a number of years has enabled us to fully understand and operate within the policies and procedures imposed by both USAID and local government officials in each country.  This notable experience has also allowed us to build long-term relationships with local agencies in these beneficiary countries that have proven to be invaluable over the years.  When shipping to various unstable regions such as the Middle East, Africa, the Balkans, the CIS and Southeast Asia, being able to respond to changes in shipping schedules, government requirements and political climates is essential.