Abstract:
Disclosed is a method process of online rating for international import and export shipments. The rating combines multiple carriers together in order to provide one cohesive international service. The consumer can obtain a door to port or door to door rate when employing a pick up carrier, such as a trucking company, and an airline or ocean carrier as well as a destination delivery company. The method provide a real time monetary rate costs based upon the closest terminal and determines which terminal to terminal rate to use for the air or ocean portion as well as providing a pick up rate for that service. The process further estimates the multiple rate costs from various vendors associated with a shipment and stores these rate costs through a database to be used at a later date for verification.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    In accordance with 37 CFR 1.76, a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, the present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/836,809, entitled “PROCESS OF COMBINING MULTIPLE CARRIERS FOR INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING”, filed Jun. 19, 2013, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention is directed to the field of international shipping and in particular to a method of selecting multiple independent freight carriers to provide a cohesive international shipping service. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    International shipping can result in a logistic nightmare. For example, a freight carrier that is able to pick-up an over sized freight item in the United States may not be equipped to ship the freight overseas by air freight when needed. Similarly a freight carrier that is able to pick-up an over sized freight item in the United States may not be equipped to ship the freight overseas by ocean transit when needed. Further, once freight has been shipped overseas a destination carrier is needed to retrieve the freight from an airport or seaport and transport the freight to the final destination. 
         [0004]    To further complicate the matter, each carrier has weight and size requirements. A transport truck is not needed for a handheld package. In addition, the ability to coordinate multiple transport companies and obtain the most cost effective shipping route and carrier compounds the problem. 
         [0005]    What is needed in the industry is a process that combines multiple carriers together in order to provide one cohesive international service providing the consumer with a door to port rate, as well as a door to door rate. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Disclosed is a process of online rating for international shipments. The process combines multiple carriers together in order to provide one cohesive international service. The consumer can obtain a door to port rate when employing a pick-up carrier (trucking company) and an airline or ocean carrier, as well as a destination trucking company. The process calculates the closest terminal based on distance mileage and determines which terminal to terminal rate to use for the air or ocean portion as well as providing a pick up rate for that service. The process further estimates the multiple costs from various vendors associated with a shipment and stores these costs through a database to be used at a later date for verification. The process allows for estimating a charge to a customer based on multiple cost factors from various vendors and saving that charge in a database to be invoiced. The process provides a seamless and cost-effective solution for international transportation needs. 
         [0007]    It is an objective of the instant invention to teach a process of online rating for international shipments. 
         [0008]    Another objective of the invention is to teach a process of combining multiple carriers together in order to provide one cohesive international service. 
         [0009]    Still another objective of the invention is to provide a door to port rate when employing a pick-up carrier (trucking company) and an airline or ocean carrier. 
         [0010]    Still another objective of the invention is to provide a door to door rate when employing a pick-up carrier (trucking company) and an airline or ocean carrier, and a destination trucking company. 
         [0011]    Yet still another objective of the invention is to provide a process of finding the closest terminal based on distance mileage for calculating which terminal to terminal rate to use for the air or ocean portion as well as providing a pick-up rate for that service. 
         [0012]    Still another objective of the invention is to provide a process of estimating the multiple costs from various vendors associated with a shipment and saving those costs in a database to be used at a later date for verification. 
         [0013]    It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a process of estimating a charge to a customer based on multiple cost factors from various vendors and saving that charge in a database to be invoiced. 
         [0014]    Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a screen display depicting all shipment in transit; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a screen display for obtaining a rate for a shipment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a screen display entering a shipment data for rate; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a screen display confirming the rate; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a screen display for pick-up and delivery address entry; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a screen display for confirmation booking; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a screen display providing an example of a documentation page; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a screen display providing an example of an export declaration page. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a flow schematic for air freight export; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a flow schematic for ocean LCL freight export; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a flow schematic for ocean container export; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a flow schematic for air freight import; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a flow schematic for ocean LCL freight import; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a flow schematic for ocean container import. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    The process employs a computer capable of combining multiple carriers for international shipping using a software program accessible on the interne. The program includes a series of steps that allows a customer to follow screen prompts to determine the most efficient and cost effective manner to ship freight internationally. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , once a customer logs in they are greeted by a shipment in the transit screen  10  that displays all shipments in transit for their account. A Notes icon  12  provides a link to a record of tracking event available for each shipment. A BOL icon  14  is used to retrieve all transport documents and uploaded commercial documents related to the shipment. An EDIT icon  16  accesses the customs export declaration section of the shipment where commercial invoices and packing lists can be uploaded and filled in with customs HS codes and values for customs export filing. A Billing icon  18  provides a breakdown view of all charges incurred for the shipment prior to invoice. When invoiced the invoice icon appears and provides access to a downloadable invoice. There is also a series of dates listed showing the different stages of each shipment i.e. pick-up at origin  20 , transit by air/sea  22 , delivery at destination  24 . All shipments are searchable by entering in a search string in the top search bar  26 . Anytime a new tracking event occurs for a shipment its recorded in the notes section for reference, as well as emailed to the customer and all parties listed as notify parties on the shipment booking screen  28 . When a customer has a shipment to book they would select the create shipment tab  30  on the previous page which would bring them to the rating page  31  shown in  FIG. 2 . The user can select from a multitude of services  32  for both import and export services into and out of the country. The user will select the mode of transport, AIR, OCEAN LCL, LTL trucking, Full Truckload, where more options specific to that service type will open for the user to enter in for a rate to be generated. The customer enters the quantity  34 , packaging  36 , length  38 , width  40 , height  42 , size in either centimeters or inches  44 , and the total weight  46  in either kilograms or pounds  48 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , once the customer selects the service type they will be asked for more details on the shipment. In this particular example the customer enters the pick-up zip code  50 , destination  52  and any additional service  54 . The questions asked are dependant upon the type of shipment required, either domestic  56 , export-international  58  or import-international  60 . For instance: 
         [0032]    Airfreight Export—Pick up zip code, destination city, pcs, weight, and dimensions of each piece. 
         [0033]    Ocean LCL Export—Pick up zip code, destination city, pcs, weight, and dimensions of each piece. 
         [0034]    Ocean FCL Export—Pick up zip code, destination city, # of containers, size of container, and weight per container. 
         [0035]    Airfreight Import—Origin City, Destination zip, pcs, weight, and dimensions of each piece. 
         [0036]    Ocean LCL Import—Origin City, Destination zip, pcs, weight, and dimensions of each piece. 
         [0037]    Ocean FCL Import—Origin City, Destination zip, # of containers, size of container, and weight per container. 
         [0038]    Once the customer enters in their details the rating engine will check to confirm that the cargo is not too heavy, the rating engine will also check to confirm if the cargo will fit on the aircraft or ocean container. The rating engine will check if the account is a secure shipper or unsecure shipper based on security rules and use the proper tariff and routing options set up in the database accordingly. The rating engine chects the origin zip for exports against all the origin terminals that are stored for AIR and OCEAN rates to the destination selected, and confirm based on mileage distance which terminal is closest to use. The rating engine will then use terminal to terminal Air Freight or Ocean rate as the base freight rate to work with and also check another database for trucking rates from the origin zip to the export terminal and consolidate it with the base freight rate and the destination delivery rates as one consolidated freight rate from origin to destination. 
         [0039]    For Imports the rating engine will perform the same process except the computer will use the mileage search on destination terminals in the rate database and destination zip. The rating engine will add a profit margin to the total consolidated rate which is offered to the customer. Each customer would have their own margin set up in the database, which is set up in the Manage Accounts section by the administrator. The rating engine will save all the data from the inquiry and the displayed rates provided in a database for future reference. 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  depicts the customer display  62  having all the rates and different service levels with the margin built in. This is how the user selects the service level  64  they want to send the shipment on. Based on the different options a different AIR or OCEAN carrier is selected as well as a rate for destination delivery is added to the rate. When another option is selected the total charge  66  is recalculated at the bottom. When the customer is satisfied with their choice they can select a button to book the shipment. All costs associated with this shipment as well as revenue will then be saved in the database to be applied and used by accounting to verify costs from vendors (carriers) are correct, as well as to invoice the customer. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  depicts the rate sheet  70  the customer will enter in the pick-up location and delivery location of the shipment. They will also add in the email address of shipper and consignee and select option if tracking history updates should be sent to those email addresses automatically when shipment is en-route. Once shipment is committed the rating engine will send a booking confirmation to the pick-up trucker or origin agent of import, as well as send booking request to the airline or ocean line, and alert the operations staff of the shipment. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 6-8 , once the customer commits to the shipment  72 , a booking confirmation page  74  is provided which gives the customer links to webpages for: 1) all the transport documents required for this shipment—Bill of lading, Labels, etc.; 2) listing of export documentation required for that country; and 3) if shipment is an export—US Customs Export Declaration page.  FIG. 8  is a summary sheet that will depict the principal party, intermediate and ultimate consignee. The commodity and value of what is being shipped allows the Rating engine to prepare the appropriate declaration for filing with customs. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , set forth is a flow schematic for air freight export  80 , comprising the step of determining if a known or unknown shipper tariff is engaged  82 ; entering a selected destination  84 ; selecting a pick-up zip code  86 ; entering the quantity of the freight to be shipped  88 ; entering dimensions of the freight  90 ; determine if the freight will fit into the aircraft used for the air freight export  92 ; contacting a designated sales department to coordinate shipping of oversize or overweight freight  94 ; research a tariff database to obtain a listing of rates to said selected destination  96 ; compare tariff rates to the selected destination to determine the closest original terminal  98 ; calculate the total cost of the air freight rates from said closest terminal to said destination and destination deliver cost  100 ; calculate pick-up cost with a pick-up carrier from the original terminal  102 ; combine the pick-up cost with said original terminal to destination airfreight cost and the destination delivery cost  104 ; calculate a profit rate  106  to the combined rate; display all available rates including pick-up cost  108 ; receive selection from a customer as to the rate preferred  110 ; forwarding the selection received from the customer to a database for engaging the carrier and invoicing of the customer  112 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , set forth is a flow schematic for ocean LCL freight export  114 , comprising the step of entering a selected destination  116 ; selecting a pick-up zip code  118 ; entering the quantity of the freight to be shipped  120 ; entering dimensions of the freight  122 ; determine if the freight will fit into a container used for the freight export  124 ; contacting a designated sales department to coordinate shipping of oversize or overweight freight  126 ; research a tariff database to obtain a listing of rates to said selected destination  128 ; compare tariff rates to the selected destination to determine the closest original terminal  130 ; calculate the total cost of the freight rates from said closest terminal to said destination and destination deliver cost  132 ; calculate pick-up cost with a pick-up carrier from the original terminal  134 ; combine the pick-up cost with said original terminal to destination freight cost and the destination delivery cost  136 ; calculate a profit rate  138  to the combined rate; display all available rates including pick-up cost  140 ; receive selection from a customer as to the rate preferred  142 ; forwarding the selection received from the customer to a database for engaging the carrier and invoicing of the customer  144 . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , set forth is a flow schematic for ocean full container freight export  150 , comprising the step of entering a selected destination  152 ; selecting a pick-up zip code  156 ; selecting a container size  158 ; checking container weight  160 ; contacting a designated sales department to address overweight freight  162 ; research a tariff database to obtain a listing of rates to said selected destination  164 ; compare tariff rates to the selected destination to determine the closest original terminal  166 ; calculate the total cost of the freight rates from said closest terminal to said destination and destination deliver cost  168 ; calculate pick-up cost with a pick-up carrier from the original terminal  170 ; combine the pick-up cost with said original terminal to destination freight cost and the destination delivery cost  172 ; calculate a profit rate  174  to the combined rate; display all available rates including pick-up cost  176 ; receive selection from a customer as to the rate preferred  178 ; forwarding the selection received from the customer to a database for engaging the carrier and invoicing of the customer  180 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 12  depicts a method of selecting multiple independent freight carriers to provide a cohesive international air import shipping service  190  comprising the steps of entering a selected origin for freight  192 ; selecting a delivery zip code destination for the freight  194 ; entering a quantity of the freight to be shipped  196 ; entering dimensions of the freight  198 ; determine if the freight will fit the air craft  200 ; contacting a designated help department to coordinate shipping of oversize pieces  202 ; researching a tariff database to obtain a listing of rates from the selected origin to the closest destination terminal  204 ; calculating the freight total cost from the origin to the closest destination terminal  206 ; calculate the total cost of the air freight  208 ; calculate delivery cost with the delivery carrier  210 ; combining the pick-up cost with the freight total cost and the destination delivery cost  212 ; incorporating a profit rate  214 ; displaying available rates and delivery costs  216 ; receiving a customer selection as to the selected available rates and delivery costs  218 ; forward the customer selection to a database for engaging the selected carriers and invoicing of the customer  220 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 13  depicts a method of selecting multiple independent freight carriers to provide a cohesive international ocean LCL import shipping service  230  comprising the steps of entering a selected origin for freight  232 ; selecting a delivery zip code destination for the freight  234 ; entering a quantity of the freight to be shipped  236 ; entering dimensions of the freight  238 ; determine if the freight will fit the ship container  240 ; contacting a designated help department to coordinate shipping of oversize pieces  242 ; researching a tariff database to obtain a listing of rates from the selected origin to the closest destination terminal  244 ; calculating the freight total cost from the origin to the closest destination terminal  246 ; calculate the pick-up cost between the closest destination terminal and the zip code destination  248 ; calculate the total cost of the ocean freight  250 ; calculate delivery cost with the delivery carrier  252 ; incorporating a profit rate  254 ; displaying available rates and delivery costs  256 ; receiving a customer selection as to the selected available rates and delivery costs  258 ; forward the customer selection to a database for engaging the selected carriers and invoicing of the customer  260 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 14  depicts a method of selecting multiple independent freight carriers to provide a cohesive international ocean full container import shipping service  270  comprising the steps of entering a selected origin for freight  272 ; selecting a delivery zip code destination for the freight  274 ; entering container size  276 ; entering the container weight  278 ; checking of the container weight  280 ; contacting a designated help department for overweight containers  282 ; researching a tariff database to obtain a listing of rates from the selected origin to the closest destination terminal  284 ; calculating the ocean freight total cost from the origin to the closest destination terminal  286 ; calculate the total cost of the ocean freight  288 ; calculate the pick-up cost between the closest destination terminal and the zip code destination  290 ; calculate delivery cost with the delivery carrier  292 ; incorporating a profit rate  294 ; displaying available rates and delivery costs  296 ; receiving a customer selection as to the selected available rates and delivery costs  298 ; forward the customer selection to a database for engaging the selected carriers and invoicing of the customer  300 . 
         [0049]    It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
         [0050]    One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.