Affordable logistics solutions, the future is now

Representants from different companies and Spanish institutions were present in the event.

More than 60 people attended the seminar about how to import goods succesfully into the U.S this week in Miami. Banco Sabadell held the event, where the discussion aimed at helping businesses leverage supply chain resources in South Florida to import goods from Spain to the United States. And the message is clear: affordable logistics solutions are already here to make it easier . Once more, the potential of Miami as a trade epicenter for the whole American continent was highlighted.

Guests from diverse companies like Carmen and Lola, Ameriworld, Roca, Ecofactor Florida, Club Expats, and institutions like Ivace, Extenda or Confederación Empresarios Gallegos en USA followed the event. For the first time in Miami, a big review of the importing process was the focus.

From left to right: Pedro González from Encofrados Alsina, Sergio Davo from Zumex, Baubak Askari from Vintae/Askari OH and Iván Tintoré, iContainers co-founder.

The seminar provided a panoramic look at the logistic process and all the requirements needed to import goods into the U.S. iContainers offered tips about the various steps in the process; Inmaculada Gutierrez , representative of the Spanish Trade Commission, encouraged seminar attendees to reinforce the Spanish investment in the American market; and** Mario Velo** , from Banco Sabadell, provided financial information about how to do it.

The members of the roundtable wanted to share their experiences along these years in the U.S: Pedro González from Encofrados Alsina, Sergio Davo fromZumex and Baubak Askari from Vintae/Askari OH. The Q&A revealed the increasing interest of the companies about the changes at major ports, like the new Canal de Panamá or the upcoming business oportunities with Cuba.

The audience was interested in iContainers ’ online price aggregation technology. This new system simplifies the reservation process of overseas shipping while eliminating hidden charges and bringing transparency to the shipping industry. The iContainers software platform operates much like Expedia, Kayak and Skyscanner, travel sites that aggregate airline fares, hotel prices, and vacation getaways. iContainers does the same for shippers, giving customers the ability to peruse shipping companies and prices.

Industry watchers say these freight forwarders will make shipping less expensive because their margins are lower. Shipping lines will start dropping prices to better compete for customers. Businesses that shied away from importing and exporting will likely enter the market. And in the end, consumers might just see the price of goods – even luxury items – dropping. Online travel sites have changed how we travel, now it’s turn to see how online freight forwarders will change the way we do business internationally and how we shop.