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We did sea freight for our last container and honestly the air vs sea gap isn’t just price, it’s the whole paperwork nightmare. Sea’s way cheaper per case but you stack on fumigation, customs holds, drayage, and you’re waiting a month plus. Air gets it here in days but you pay through the nose and they scrutinize the 1.4G classing way harder. If you’re not in a rush, sea, every time.
Lol I got burned the exact same way last July. One cue just refused to fire and the whole finale was off-beat. Never again.
Now I do basically what you said – I pull the module out early, charge everything, and run a full dry test on all the cues a week or two out. I even keep a spare igniter for each cake as backup now, it’s like $3 extra and saves the headache. My pre-show routine didn’t exist until I learned the hard way, but now I wouldn’t skip it.
Michael covered the main points pretty well. One thing I’d add – I’ve talked to a few importers who say the difference isn’t just about regulations. Some Chinese factories literally make two product lines – one for domestic/European market and one for US export. The US version uses different composition to meet DOT requirements, which sometimes means less effect for the same size cake.
A friend of mine visited a factory in Liuyang last year and said the stuff they pack for the US market is often the same shells but with less flash powder to keep it under the 500g limit. Meanwhile the domestic version of the same cake might have closer to 600-700g of comp because China classifies it differently. So it’s not really ‘watering down’ as much as it is adapting to different rules.
Makes you wonder what we’re missing out on lol.
I noticed World Class started using soy-based inks on their boxes this year. Small thing but honestly kinda nice. The boxes still have a plastic window but at least the printing isnt as nasty.
Also TNT has been testing recycled cardboard sleeves for their artillery shell kits in some markets. Not sure if its rolling out nationwide yet but I saw it at a stand in Ohio last month.
Honestly I think the bigger problem is the shrink wrap. Every single cake is wrapped in like 3 layers of plastic that goes straight in the trash. If any manufacturer figures out a biodegradable shrink wrap theyd win the whole eco-friendly packaging game overnight.
in reply to: Who else is already planning their Labor Day show? #5867I feel you Danny, my wallet is still hurting from the 4th too lol. But honestly I’m kinda tempted to do something small for Labor Day. My local Phantom is still open and they’ve got 25% off everything right now. Might grab a few things.
The stands near me in Phoenix are mostly gone already though. It’s too hot here anyway – nobody wants to be outside setting up tubes when it’s 105 degrees lol.
I’m thinking maybe just fountains and some low-key cakes for the backyard. Keep it chill. What kind of cakes were you looking at?
I’ve been saying this for years but the real issue is the supply chain bottleneck. My uncle works in logistics and he told me the ports at LA/Long Beach were still backed up through June this year. Even if the factories in China could pump out more product, it doesn’t matter if the containers can’t get through.
What I’m wondering is if next year things will normalize. The America 250 hype won’t be there, so demand should drop, and hopefully the shipping situation stabilizes too. Could actually be a good time to stock up for Labor Day if prices come down.
But yeah the $120 Excaliburs were ridiculous lol. I paid $90 at a tent in TX and thought that was bad.
I looked into this a few months back when I was thinking about splitting a container with a buddy. For LTL hazmat shipping within the US, – sounds about right for 1500lbs going 800 miles honestly. The big variable is how many stops they gotta make and if they can consolidate with other hazmat shipments.
One thing a freight broker told me ??ask if they’re doing ‘line haul’ or if it’s going through multiple terminals. Multi-terminal routes are cheaper but take way longer and your pallet gets handled more. Direct line haul is pricier but way less chance of damage.
Also check if the shipper has a hazmat compliance department. Some of these smaller LTL guys say they handle hazmat but their paperwork is a mess and it’ll get flagged.
Most Chinese factories have minimums that are way higher than what a small retailer would want. Like, for custom sleeves they want 5000+ units minimum. Some will do generic boxes with your label stickered on but it looks janky. If you’re serious about branding you gotta bring volume or find a distributor who already does it.
Tell me about it man. I already put in an order for some fall stuff just to have something to look forward to lol. Clearance racks are where its at right now — picked up some cakes for half price last weekend. Honestly the post-4th blues are real but it gives me time to work on my firing setups for next season.
We did a small family show this year. Kept it simple ??about worth of cakes and shells. The kids loved the fountains the most actually. Go figure.
I will say the smoke was worse than usual this year. Felt like it lingered forever. Maybe because there was no wind? Anyone else notice that or was it just our area?
Anyway hope everyone had a safe and fun 4th.
in reply to: Best packaging you’ve seen this season? #5546That World Class canister shell box you mentioned Lisa – I saw those too! The artwork is honestly gallery-worthy lol. I kept one of the empty boxes to use as storage for my firing gloves and tools.
Also gotta give a shout to Winda’s packaging this year. Simple but effective. Bright colors, clear labeling of effects, and the boxes stack really nicely which matters more than people think when youre loading up at the tent.
The holographic stuff is cool visually but man does it make the box more expensive. I’d rather they put that money into the actual fireworks inside tbh.
Good point about the heat. I think I’ll keep my extras in the basement where it stays cooler. Maybe I’ll save a few for Labor Day and a couple for NYE. Spread the fun out through the year lol.
Seconding R+L. Also worth looking into YRC – they’ve been reliable for our shipments out of the Midwest. Just make sure everything’s properly labeled and paperwork’s in order. DOT’s been cracking down on mislabeled hazmat shipments.
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