Approved Freight Forwarders
Helpful Articles

Back-to-school shopping is big business for retailers. With sales numbers second only to the winter holidays, the back-to-school season offers stores a nice bump in revenue as families shop for K-12 and college supplies for their children. The good news for 2020? Per-house spending has been trending upward, according to the National Retail Foundation. A 2019 study revealed that families with children in elementary through high school planned to spend $696.70, which beat the previous record in 2012 of $688.62. Families with college-age children were expected to spend even more. Their average reached $976.78, which was higher than the previous record of $969.88 set in...

If you’re coming from the world of LTL freight, securing an ocean freight quote might feel a little different to you. One big change you might notice is that your freight forwarder will likely have a bunch of questions for you. They also probably issue a detailed quote with a lot of line items. You might be used to a different process. But, in our opinion, the extra detail is a good thing. Here’s why: By asking a number of questions upfront and breaking out your quote in itemized detail, your forwarder is trying to give you the most accurate estimate possible, so there are...

As we head into the second quarter of 2020, many experts are keeping their eyes on the results of the IMO’s low-sulfur mandate, which took effect January 1. Among the factors they’re examining include the supply of low-sulfur diesel fuel, which has the potential to significantly impact ocean freight pricing. Whether you’re just getting up to speed on the low-sulfur mandate—or you’re one of those people keeping the pulse on this issue—we’ve put together a list of the best resources we’ve found online. Use these links to stay on top of this emerging issue. By doing so, you’ll be well-positioned to make the business decisions...

Whether you’re choosing your first career or considering a new career path, know that the future for supply chain management professionals is bright. Strong salary opportunities, upward mobility potential, and a healthy job market all come together to make a career in supply chain management a compelling choice. When it comes to securing a job, getting a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management will show potential employers how serious you are about the field. If you’re a high schooler looking at college options or a non-traditional student who’s completing a bachelor’s degree, you’ll find plenty of options across the country for studying this growing field....

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we sat down with some of the women at The DeWitt Companies to talk about their role and experience working in the logistics industry. These are just a few of the talented women who have helped our companies become industry leaders, and continue to ensure our businesses run efficiently on a daily basis. Here are their stories: Tanielle Igros, Account Relations Manager Approved Freight Forwarders How long have you been in the field of logistics? Before I worked at Approved, I came from the transportation world. I actually worked for an airline for 15 years as a passenger service...

On January 15, 2020, U.S. President Donald Trump signed what the administration is calling “Phase 1” of a trade deal with China. If you’re importing goods from China, this initial deal may offer you some relief from the U.S. tariffs on many Chinese imports that started in 2018. That being said, many of the tariffs put in place by both the U.S. and the Chinese governments will remain. So if you’re currently doing business with China—or considering a new venture that revolves around Chinese imports—these costs will continue to affect your bottom line. Below, we’ll give you a brief rundown of what’s changed and what...