Why use freight forwarders

A freight forwarder can also advise you of the best rate , not necessarily the cheapest rate. Air and ocean carriers may have different reliability records or may not provide services at a time that suits your schedule. This issue is one reason why their extensive network of alternative carriers is so essential. A shipping company can reduce their costs if they are carrying a full load.

Freight services who act for many clients can consolidate smaller shipments from different companies to make up one large load. Freight consolidation is difficult to arrange as multiple parties are involved, but a freight forwarder can take care of these details for you. Increasingly, customers are demanding their goods arrive as quickly as possible.

A delay in exporting goods to their destination could reduce customer satisfaction, and they may consider other vendors who can supply their products expeditiously. This scenario is often the case in door-to-door shipments, where residential and small businesses are becoming used to next day delivery services.

A freight forwarding company works closely with shipping lines to ensure your deliveries arrive according to your schedule, using the fastest route possible. Documentation requirements in international freight shipping are onerous. There are many forms, and accuracy is critical. Even a small error could lead to problems at customs clearance.

In severe scenarios, customs agents could impound your merchandise, leading to transportation delays and increased costs. A freight forwarder has responsibility for ensuring your documentation is complete and correctly filed with the proper authorities. They have experience in the myriad of paperwork required for freight travel and can work in tandem with a customs brokerage to ensure your goods move smoothly through customs. International freight travel involves a considerable number of different companies liaising with each other, scheduling to meet within small time windows, as well as the practical element of loading and unloading your cargo.

It is possible that goods are misplaced or that they suffer damage during transportation. You can arrange who is responsible for the insurance at each part of the journey with your buyer, but it is vital to use a freight forwarder to get the insurance and ensure every aspect is covered.

If goods are accidentally left at a port and subsequently damaged or lost, your entire shipment could be a losing venture. A warehouse fire or water damage occurring during ocean travel could destroy your goods, and the buyer would demand a refund. Freight forwarders contract with respective carriers — that is, airlines, shipping lines or hauliers — to transport the goods.

Usually a forwarder does not physically move the shipment but acts as an expert in the logistics process. Some freight forwarders have their own vehicles and warehouses, but the predominant model is a non-asset based freight forwarder who try to select the best supplier for each leg of the shipment. In the main, anyone involved in shipping internationally would be best served by working with a good freight forwarder.

Even the large Beneficial Cargo Owners BCOs such as Tesco and Marks and Spencer, still work with freight forwarders for parts of their business because of the knowledge and flexibility freight forwarders can add to their supply chain network.

A freight forwarder can become an extension of your business in many ways. They can be your outsourced shipping department, adding valuable knowledge and advice to the process of importing and exporting, saving you both time and money.

Typically, a freight forwarder should be able to understand your requirements and identify the best transport option to move the shipment in the required timeframe and at a competitive price.

Taking away much of the administration required when organising shipments, a freight forwarder will free its clients from the time and hassle involved and outsourcing to an expert can often be more cost-effective than trying to struggle through the process yourself. Import and export procedures can be complicated, particularly as different countries have varying rules and regulations with which you must comply.

A freight forwarder will make sure all the relevant documents, licenses and fee payments are in place, so you can relax in the knowledge that your shipments will clear customs — and arrive at their destination on schedule. Having someone you can rely on at the end of the phone, is invaluable when it comes to shipping.