Freight forwarding | Getting the best from your freight forwarder

The world has been reduced to a global village, and one of the many effects is the increase in international trade. Freight transport is in the middle of this. It has become a vital instrument in moving goods from one location to another. Though it's a reliable means, freight transportation doesn't always turn out as you expect it to. Sometimes, the costs skyrocket. Other times, the goods don't get to their destination in one piece. If you wish to avoid all these headaches, here are key areas to pay attention to.

Selection

Freight forwarders are not all equal. Some are better than others, so you need to be able to pick the best one. For this, you need to know exactly what you want. That way, you will know the specific services that you require from the forwarder, instead of picking one that will charge you for services you won't even use. Some freights have a fee for 'special tasks' billed even when you don't use these services. Additionally, some forwarders are specialists when it comes to shipping through certain routes, or even shipping specific commodities. Using them for such services will be a huge benefit for you, because you'll be making use of their expertise.

Presence of logistics consulting.

Ensure your freight forwarder offers consultation services, because this can be the difference between profits and losses on your end. The freight charges are available in different packages, and a good agent will offer advice to your pricing and distribution choices. The forwarder has enough experience in the freight industry. For instance, they may advise you to switch from CIF (cost, insurance and freight) basis to CFR (cost and freight) for one reason or the other. The agent may also advise on the packaging of the goods, for instance, if you experience frequent damages.

Value added services

To get the best experience, check the value added services the forwarder offers. Some freight companies offer extra services such as packing expertise, warehousing and even coverages. Also look for companies with EDI capabilities. This will fasten the process by providing shipping details in time.

Agent network

For international shipping, you need to ensure the forwarder has got a wide range of agents all across the globe. Pay more attention to the country you are shipping to. If there's an agent there, then you can be better assured of a faster and seamless process. Additionally, a forwarder with agents in multiple countries may be better suited to help you if any rerouting problems occur. That will give your goods a timely arrival and may be what boosts your profits.