Apple's massive 'iPad 3' air freight deal with DHL shaking up shipping rates
In another sign that Apple plans to make its third-generation iPad available for purchase very soon after it is announced this week, AppleInsider has been told that shipping company DHL is prepared to handle massive shipments from Apple.
One person who contacted AppleInsider said that changes to the price of air cargo through DHL have signaled a major planned Apple shipment from China to the U.S. Evidence of this can be seen in a "big change" in shipping costs, as Apple has taken up freight capacity on flights from the Far East to America.
The massive importation of goods is said to be taking up valuable space on the courier's international flights, which has driven shipping rates up this week considerably.
The information was corroborated on Monday by MacRumors, who also spoke with sources in the shipping industry. They indicated that shipping rates rose as much as 20 percent in one week as Apple has taken up available capacity at "premium rates."
Given the millions of iPads that Apple will undoubtedly have available at launch, it's likely that DHL is just one of the couriers Apple will use to ship its new iPad. When the first iPad debuted in 2010, Apple utilized UPS for Saturday deliveries, even though UPS does not offer standard delivery on weekends.
Indications first arose more than a week ago that Apple's assembly partner, Foxconn, was already gearing up to ship Apple's third-generation iPad to the U.S. for an impending product launch. One shipping manifest that surfaced on a Chinese microblogging site showed major international charter flights originating from Chengdu International Airport carrying "Apple's latest products."
All of Apple's rumored shipping activity suggests that the company is gearing up for a near-immediate launch of its third-generation iPad. The so-called "iPad 3" is expected to be unveiled at a media event this Wednesday in San Francisco.
Last year Apple announced the iPad 2 on March 2, and the device became publicly available in the U.S. just over a week later on March 11. If Apple were to follow the same release pattern this year, the next iPad could go on sale on Friday, March 16.
But there have been some indications that Apple could debut its next iPad even faster after this year's official unveiling. One report from last month suggested the "iPad 3" would go on sale in Germany on March 23, a full week earlier than the international launch would be if Apple followed last year's launch schedule.
[ View article on AppleInsider ]
Comments
Because I guess I'm fine with that. Still doesn't match the grandeur of elevator shots, though.
the words "We have something you really have to see. And touch. " are important here. iPad 3 will be unveiled and available at launch on Wednesday.
Or it has a touchscreen. It's very doubtful it will be available on announcement day.
I don't understand why shipping rates would increase because Apple has taken capacity away from DSL. Why wouldn't DSL charter/lease special planes just for Apple's shipments if they don't have enough available? When FedEx or UPS has increased demand around the holidays they don't raise their rates because they need more capacity, they just pull additional planes out of the hangars and blow the dust off or increase flight frequency. It's the nature of the shipping beast, so to speak.
If any freight company ran their business the way you are suggesting, they would be out of business in very short order.
I don't understand why shipping rates would increase because Apple has taken capacity away from DSL. Why wouldn't DSL charter/lease special planes just for Apple's shipments if they don't have enough available? When FedEx or UPS has increased demand around the holidays they don't raise their rates because they need more capacity, they just pull additional planes out of the hangars and blow the dust off or increase flight frequency. It's the nature of the shipping beast, so to speak.
DHL might be doing just that, hiring out more planes, but they will only hire what they need. Thusly any additional cargo space would be at a premium because there is so little to around.
I don't understand why shipping rates would increase because Apple has taken capacity away from DSL. Why wouldn't DSL charter/lease special planes just for Apple's shipments if they don't have enough available? When FedEx or UPS has increased demand around the holidays they don't raise their rates because they need more capacity, they just pull additional planes out of the hangars and blow the dust off or increase flight frequency. It's the nature of the shipping beast, so to speak.
What are you saying? That there are no circumstances where there are increased charges for shipping? That makes no sense.
Like anything else, there is capacity. When it's exceeded the price goes up. Joe Blow shipping something back to Amazon doesn't pay more at Christmas. But Apple ordering entire plane loads to ship iPads certainly will.
It's a business driven by bids, not fixed pricing.
What are you saying? That there are no circumstances where there are increased charges for shipping? That makes no sense.
Like anything else, there is capacity. When it's exceeded the price goes up. Joe Blow shipping something back to Amazon doesn't pay more at Christmas. But Apple ordering entire plane loads to ship iPads certainly will.
It's a business driven by bids, not fixed pricing.
Much better response than mine ... but same point.
DHL might be doing just that, hiring out more planes, but they will only hire what they need. Thusly any additional cargo space would be at a premium because there is so little to around.
What are you saying? That there are no circumstances where there are increased charges for shipping? That makes no sense.
Like anything else, there is capacity. When it's exceeded the price goes up. Joe Blow shipping something back to Amazon doesn't pay more at Christmas. But Apple ordering entire plane loads to ship iPads certainly will.
It's a business driven by bids, not fixed pricing.
But the way I read the article it says that Apple is paying a premium for the shipping of their goods plus DHL customers saw their rates raised by 20%. Why should the regular DHL customers pay more if DHL is already making a premium on Apple's shipments? Sounds like socialistic shipping to me.
But the way I read the article it says that Apple is paying a premium for the shipping of their goods plus DHL customers saw their rates raised by 20%. Why should the regular DHL customers pay more if DHL is already making a premium on Apple's shipments? Sounds like socialistic shipping to me.
It sounds like you don't know what socialism is. Or capitalism.
I don't understand why shipping rates would increase because Apple has taken capacity away from DSL. Why wouldn't DSL charter/lease special planes just for Apple's shipments if they don't have enough available? When FedEx or UPS has increased demand around the holidays they don't raise their rates because they need more capacity, they just pull additional planes out of the hangars and blow the dust off or increase flight frequency. It's the nature of the shipping beast, so to speak.
The reason it doesn't cost more around Christmas for FedEx and UPS is because they have planned for the extra capacity needs. They know that around those holiday times they will need to "dust off" their freight. I doubt Apple gave DHL a heads up two-three months in advance that they are going to be shipping a lot of goods this week. They probably told them last Friday.