The First 90 Days: What to Have in Place

Getting the licence is only the start. Logistics businesses carry other people's goods, so customers, banks and authorities will look at how well the operation is organised from the first shipments.

Insurance and liability

Ask an insurer which policies apply to your activity, such as goods in transit, cargo, vehicle and general liability cover, and confirm what the authorities and large customers require. Make sure your terms of service state clearly what you are and are not responsible for.

Contracts and paperwork

Use written contracts for every account, including pricing, payment terms, delivery responsibilities and how damage or delay claims are handled. Keep delivery notes, bills of lading and customs documents in a system you can search, because disputes and customs queries often come months later.

Safety and external approvals

Warehouses, vehicles and some goods need approvals or inspections from the relevant authorities. Confirm the requirements for your exact premises and cargo before you sign a lease. The external approvals guide and import export licence guide cover the main bodies.

Cash flow

Logistics companies often pay drivers, fuel, rent and carriers before customers pay them. Set payment terms with clients carefully, track overdue invoices weekly and keep enough working capital for the gap. Rapid growth on credit terms is a common way for a young operator to run short of cash.

Bank and tax readiness

Prepare the profile you will give the bank, including your main routes, customers and expected volumes, and review VAT registration and corporate tax early. Good records from the first month make later registrations much easier.