Understanding the Freight Forwarding Basics: An Introduction

So you’re new to the global scale and you can think of it now as swimming in an even bigger sea of opportunities with an equal amount of risks that will demand the full extent of your company’s capabilities. Don’t get lost in what you have to do once your product lines hit international markets. Knowing the basics of Freight Forwarding can help you achieve further success …

What is the Freight Forwarder and what is Freight Forwarding?

In the most common sense, a freight forwarder is an agent that acts to import/export your goods, moving mass cargo and shipments from your end to another destination usually out of the country. Freight forwarding meanwhile is the service itself that this said agent provides – the role itself being often intermediary only, meaning the forwarder does not really move your freight in actuality; this is usually done between one or more transportation services tied with the forwarder.

The Importance and Advantages of Freight Forwarding

Photo of A cargo ship docked and ready to carry shipments off

A cargo ship docked and ready to carry shipments off ©freedigitalphotos.net/Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee

Freight forwarders handle the logistics, which often becomes the most burdensome part of business. They assist in guaranteeing that products (in whatever sellable and acceptable form they come) arrive within the set deadline to the proper location. They also guarantee that the products arrive in the best possible condition to wherever they need to
be on the globe. Their skills and specialities also ensure that challenges to the company specifically those needing logistical management brought about by many factors such as distance, time, etc., are bridged and met, especially for those businesses that need to send on a regular basis internationally.

The Top Benefits of Freight Forwarders

Organisation, Clearance as well as Documentations and Insurance – Freight Forwarding makes large-scale shipping less complicated because their extensive knowledge of proper procedures makes certain that cargo is cleared, dealing with the burdensome work of paperwork, documentations and customs for you. They organise every step involved in freighting, ensuring that the delivery flow is smooth. In addition, they also provide insurance for added peace of mind, providing a range of options to protect your investments while at the same time determining your needs.
Load and Inventory Management – Freight Forwarders are built for the purpose of arranging shipments of any kind, but it doesn’t stop there. They can even assist if not fully manage the inventory of your company, giving you a better grip on your products and assets so you know what’s on hand and where it is.
Professionalism and Added Services – Freight Forwarders provide you with professional advice and services that offer relief to operations in many ways. They have vast know-how in their area and are experts so they can guide you on how to best establish your export business.
Effort, Cost and Time saving – a good Freight Forwarder saves you on labour as they take care of the otherwise difficult task of transporting your goods. They can also minimise cost in the long run as you are only billed the appropriate amount for the essential details of the delivery, the billing and invoicing taken cared for and well tracked from their end. Your investments are returned properly by minimisng the time by which your shipments reach their destinations. The sooner your products get to the intended market, the sooner they are paid for or sold.