Career
In the age of modern technology and well-developed transport infrastructure, people are used to having their goods delivered rapidly. Fast production and a well-functioning supply chain allow for quick returns on investments. Timely delivery remains a priority for clients and a key focus for logistics companies.
A client turned to the Asstra corporate group’s Air Transport Division with a request to ship a single box of diamonds and white, yellow, and pink gold from Antwerp, Belgium, to Moscow, Russia. The shipment weighed 1.23 kg and was worth USD 36,367. The cargo was fully insured and delivered via AsstrA’s Courier on Board service.
Irina Soltan
"The shipment was picked up on Tuesday from the shipper. On the same day, it was sent to Moscow and reached the temporary storage warehouse by the afternoon. Initially there was a request for a guarded air shipment, but the airlines refused to accept the expensive cargo for transportation. So as an alternative we offered courier delivery with all customs formalities handled. The order was quite complex due to long negotiations on the power of attorney; we were trying to agree on the wording of text with the broker. It took quite some time to finalize, and then the original document had to be delivered to the client’s office. Without this document, it would not have been possible to proceed to customs clearance", says Irina Soltan, Customer Service Specialist in the AsstrA Fashion & Beauty Logistics Departent.
When it comes to “white glove” services for highly valuable cargo requiring special treatment, Russia is not as well developed as in other European countries. High-value items are carried on a pallet in an aircraft cargo compartment, but jewelry or designer items require more reliable transportation.
Victoria Dunina
"The shipment was valuable, and it was important to the client to ensure its safety during delivery. The AsstrA team offered to maximize safety and security by using courier-on-board transportation for the box. The courier carefully carried the shipment all the way from the client's door to the destination airport. The parcel was picked up from the sender in Antwerp before 10:25, arrived at Brussels airport at 11:25, and was on board by 13:21. It arrived at Sheremetyevo at 17:50. The entire process took took 8 hours and 25 minutes. The cargo consisted of non-ferrous metals, so on arrival the box was put into the hands of the Sheremetyevo customs warehouse. It was sealed in advance and the receipt was given to the client,” says Victoria Dunina, India Trade Lane Manager at AsstrA.
This is the first such shipment the Asstra Fashion & Beauty Logistics Division has completed. The "Courier on Board" service is typically in demand in the fashion, pharmaceuticals, and automotive industries. To avoid complications with deliveries to end consumers or manufacturers, is important to identify all a customer’s specific needs and arrange all the details regarding non-standard services before transportation.