Guest Blog: 13 things you need to know about freight forwarding

Today’s guest blog is from John Stuart of the International Logistics Center.  He shares some interesting information about freight forwarding, that anyone in logistics should be aware of.

Freight forwarding is one of the most widely used methods of international transport for both business and personal use. Freight forwarding companies, like the International Logistics Centre, coordinate the shipment of goods from one destination to another using a range of carriers, including air freight, ocean freight, road fright and, in some cases, railway freight. The process of freight forwarding might seem daunting, especially if you’re not familiar with the process of freight shipping, but these thirteen facts you need to know about freight forwarding will help you through the process.

1. What is a freight forwarder? A freight forwarder is responsible for the transportation of goods between one destination and another. Freight forwarding companies specialise in arranging the whole process for their shippers, from the storage to the shipping of their merchandise. They act as an intermediary between the shipper and transportation services, liaising with various carriers to negotiate on price and decide on the most economical, reliable and fastest route.
2. A hassle-free way to import and export goods. Using a freight forwarder to import and export goods can make the whole process much less stressful. Extremely knowledgeable in the elements of supply chain, freight forwarders can assist on all levels, from the packing and warehouse stages to the customs procedure, taking some of the pressure off you.
3. Freight forwarders provide a range of services. Freight forwarders can assist with the supply chain process on multiple levels including:

• Customs Clearance
• International export and import documentation
• Insurance
• Packing
• Storage
• Inventory management

4. Can be advantageous to your business. Using a freight forwarding company for the transportation of goods to your consumer can be advantageous to your business in many ways. Using their knowledge and expertise, freight forwarders will ensure that your goods will arrive at the correct destination on time and save you money in the process, compared to doing it alone.
5. They are not responsible for shipping delays. Freight forwarding companies are not responsible for delays in shipping. These delays often occur due to bad weather, breakdown, port delays or unforeseen route changes. Although shipping delays can be frustrating, it is important to remember that it is out of your freight forwarding companies’ hands and that they’re trying to resolve it as quickly as possible.
6. It’s important to maintain a good relationship with your freight forwarder. Your freight forwarder is in charge of your precious cargo, so it’s important that you establish a good working relationship with them. You want to ensure that you choose a company that you can trust and rely on, as well as one with impeccable customer service to ensure that your cargo shipments arrive safely and on time.
7. You need to make sure your paperwork is up to date. Before leaving your goods in the hands of your freight forwarder, you need to ensure that all of the paperwork for transporting your goods is completed. Your freight company will be able to help you with this, but it’s an incredibly important step to reduce the risk of your items not being released from customs or the bank refusing to release your funds – neither of which would be beneficial to your business.
8. Shipping restrictions apply to certain products. Freight forwarding companies adhere to strict regulations and will not carry certain goods and substances, particularly by air or sea freight. Although the list of prohibited items varies from country to country, freight forwarders are generally restricted on:

• Dangerous Goods (including flammable liquid and toxic items)
• Drugs (prescription and recreational)
• Alcohol
• Batteries
• Perishable items (except for those on special express delivery)
• Sharp objects

9. Ask your freight forwarding company about extra services. Many freight forwarding companies offer extra services for your shipment, so it’s always worth asking them when receiving a quote. These extra services include warehouse storage, cargo insurance, cargo tracking and dangerous goods handling. Even if you don’t require them, it’s always worth bearing these additional services in mind for future reference.
10. There are six key stages of freight forwarding. The freight forwarding process can be broken up into six key stages, including:

• Export haulage – the transfer of goods from its original source to the freight forwarders’ warehouse.
• Export customs clearance – the goods receive clearance to leave its country of origin.
• Origin handling – the unloading, inspection and validation of the cargo against its booking documents.
• Import customs clearance – the customs paperwork for your cargo will be checked by the authorities.
• Destination handling – the handling of cargo once it reaches the destination office, including transfer to the import warehouse.
• Import haulage – the transfer of cargo from the import warehouse to its final destination.

11. Your freight forwarder should provide you with a range of documents. With freight forwarding comes a lot of paperwork, especially when shipping overseas. Your freight forwarder should provide you with all of the relevant documents, including:

• Commercial invoice
• Bill of Lading contract
• Certificate of origin statement
• Inspection certificate
• Export license
• Export packing list
• Shippers export declaration document

It’s essential that all of these documents are provided in order to ensure that your goods reach your customer without any issues arising.

12. The strength of a freight forwarders’ network is vital. Well-established freight forwarders will have an incredibly strong network of contacts and experience in the business. Not only will this help you to get the best price for shipping your cargo, but it will also ensure that your goods arrive in a timely manner. Experienced freight forwarders will have encountered a multitude of problems along the way, so they’ll be able to quickly and efficiently deal with any issues which may arise as your goods are transported.
13. Does your freight forwarder specialise in a particular cargo type? Some freight forwarders focus on a specific type of cargo, whereas some other companies accept a variety of goods. Finding a freight forwarder who specialises in what you’re looking to ship is beneficial. Not only will they have a team of specialists in place, but they will also have vast experience in dealing with cargo similar to yours.

Doing your research before choosing a logistics company will ensure that your goods get to their final destination in a timely, cost-effective manner.