Freight forwarders are individuals or agencies that manage the transportation of merchandise from the point of production to the final point of distribution in the international supply chain. Many export /import companies rely on the expertise of freight forwarder, to manage their the international shipments to be delivered on time.
The export/import trade is regulated by many international rules and regulations. freight forwarders assist the shipper to transport merchandise in compliance with the international laws.
A Freight forwarder can offer expert advice to the exporter on various logistics-related expenses incurred during the process of exports, such as freight expenses, port expenses, consular fees, documentation costs, insurance fees, cost of merchandise, custom clearance and charges.
Role and responsibilities of freight forwarder
Speed
Freight forwarders pick the most economical carrier route to get your merchandise to market.
Security
Freight forwarders manage many aspects of cargo security, beginning with adequate insurance against freight loss, damage or theft, as well as compliant cargo inspections, declaration documents and en-route oversight.
Their knowledge of carrier networks primes them to find the best deals through contract negotiations, load consolidation strategies, bulk shipment deals and much more, all cutting down your freight charge expenditures.
Tracking
Experienced freight forwarders track cargo across the full transport route, with knowledge of where that cargo is at all times, en route or in temporary storage.
Packing
Freight forwarders prepare your merchandise for optimal transportation conditions, beginning with crating. Shipped cargo also gets properly labeled and itemized according to import and export packing lists.
Documentation
Freight forwarders offer complete inventory management and payment documentation, including documents for declarations, import and export lists, commercial invoices, certificate of origin statements, inspection documentation, licenses, the bill of lading contract plus more duties, customs and clearance papers that may be involved in your shipping process.
Warehousing
Professional freight forwarders oversee any necessary in-transit merchandise storage in warehouses or distribution centers across the transportation route. Most do not own the storage warehouses used across transit, relying instead on existing warehousing networks and partnerships.
Bookings
Freight forwarders handle the often complex booking chain associated with reserving cargo space on carrier planes, ships, trains and trucks. They compile the necessary booking documents alongside contract management of carrier reservations.
Pricing
As your import and export shipping partner, freight forwarders negotiate your overall freight charges, as well as documenting billings through transparent invoices and bill of lading contracts.
Consolidation
The freight forwarding process seeks ways to safely yet functionally consolidate relevant freight along shipment routes, which results in cargo discounts, streamlined freight collection and overall reduced fares.
Insurance
Freight forwarders acquire appropriate levels of cargo insurance for your shipped merchandise. In the event of an accident, it is also the freight forwarding company who files and manages insurance claims. Cargo insurance can be a complex and time-consuming domain for businesses to manage internally, particularly once international shipping operations — and the subsequent customs, inspections, taxes, licenses and more — come into the picture.
When to Use a Freight Forwarding Service
Exporters who need access to more modes of transportation should seek a freight forwarding service.
organizations whose end-to-end shipping needs, that require the use of air, rail, ground and waterway ways can navigate these transportation modes more cost-effectively through the assistance of a freight forwarder. As apart of transportation vendor management service, a freight forwarder makes bookings and handles billings, with the transportation carriers. The exporter is relieved of the transportation hustles and can focus on scaling up quality outputs.
You’re Importing and Exporting Internationally
An international freight forwarder’s expertise takes care of the complete cycle of international shipping and trade operations. They manage the logistics of customs regulations, port controls, paperwork, licensing and inventory inspections, which take years of field experience to properly navigate your merchandise to foriegn markets.
you are a beginner exporter having no experience handling international shipments
expert freight forwarders offer additional services like cargo consolidation consulting and methods of international payment management, documentations needed in shipping process.
You Want an Experts advice
Freight forwarders handle crucial services associated with the international shipping industry. convenient your business with freight forwarder offering guidance and administration into end-to-end cargo logistics of imports and export operations, including:
- Cargo insurance
- Customs inspections
- Customs documentation
- Compliant packing and itemization
- Bills of lading services
- Banking and international payment services
- Warehousing
- Guaranteed date of delivery
- And more
conclusion
A freight forwarding company also provides strengthened risk assessments and risk management of cargo. Depending on the nature of cargo, a freight forwarder provides insurance services with the banks.
Businesses protect and deliver their goods on time, with the services of a good freight forwarder.