UPS introduces new offering focused on palletized international heavy air freight

UPS this week rolled out a new express air freight service geared towards urgent, time-sensitive and high-value international shipments.

Entitled UPS Worldwide Express Freight, UPS said this service is an extension of its UPS Worldwide Express package portfolio, adding that it provides shippers with what it described as a “seamless” experience between shipping express package and express freight.

The company explained that through UPS Worldwide Express Freights shippers are now able to ship pallets weighing more than 150 pounds as efficiently as packages moved exclusively within the UPS global air network from 37 origins to 41 destination countries and territories. Prior to this release, UPS took non-palletized shipments up to 150 pounds.

What’s more, UPS said that as a guaranteed, day-definite, door-to-door service, UPS Worldwide Express Freight has some of the best transit times in the market, with overnight shipping from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and the Americas to the U.S., with two-day shipping available to Europe from Asia-Pacific, the U.S., and the Americas.

“UPS customers needed a fast and guaranteed solution for palletized international heavy air freight for situations like urgent inventory replenishment, spare parts, product launches and high-value shipments,” said Geoff Light, UPS VP of New Product Development, in an interview. “We conducted a six-month pilot in 2011 and a limited offering in 2012 between China and 15 markets worldwide including the U.S.”

Light explained that one of the biggest benefits UPS customers will see is increased speed-to-market, which helps them take advantage of business opportunities and better compete in the marketplace.  And he said that UPS Worldwide Express Freight allows customers to ship urgent freight faster in more lanes that any other carrier, based on a comparison of published time-in-transit numbers.

In addition, he said customers will experience the same level of reliability and service, ease of tracking and streamlined billing they’ve come to expect with UPS Worldwide Express package shipping.

“Global commerce is vital for our customers and UPS Worldwide Express Freight helps companies get to market faster, capture more business and boost their competitiveness,” said Ed Buckley, UPS president of marketing, in a statement.  “Our customers depend on the speed, reliability and visibility that UPS provides with our package express services.  Customers, particularly in the industrial manufacturing, automotive, high-tech, retail and healthcare segments, have asked us for the same features for their urgent freight shipments.”