5 Things You Need to Know About Freight Forwarding
Freight forwarding is one of the most widely used methods of international transport for both personal use and business. Freight forwarding can seem intimidating for those who have never used it before, but these facts should make you feel a little more comfortable with the whole process.
There are many benefits for your business
Using freight forwarding companies for the transportation of many different types of freight can offer your company a lot of benefits. Freight forwarders are full of knowledge, expertise, resources, and networking opportunities that can benefit your business. Plus, freight forwarders will ensure that your freight will arrive at the right destination on time and save you money in the process.
You should 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 make sure you’re working with a company that you can trust and rely on to figure out your specific freight logistics needs. Your freight forwarder should also be equipped with great customer service skills so they can provide you with the best services possible.
You need to keep your paperwork up to date
Before you hand off your freight to your freight forwarder, you need to make sure that all your paperwork for transporting your good is complete. Your freight forwarder should be able to help you with this if you’re having trouble. If your paperwork isn’t complete, you risk your items not being released from customs or the bank refusing to release your funds. Then, it might delay your delivery dates.
Some products are restricted
When it comes to international shipping especially, come items are restricted. For this reason, freight forwarders tend to adhere to strict regulations and are unable to ship some goods and substances. This is especially true for air and sea freight; the list of restricted items varies accordingly. However, in general, freight forwards restrict:
- Dangerous goods (toxic products and flammable liquids)
- Drugs (recreational and prescription)
- Alcohol
- Batteries
- Perishable goods (depending on the delivery type)
- Sharp objects
Your freight forwarder will provide you with a range of documents
An extensive amount of research goes into freight forwarding. Your forwarder will provide you with all of the essential documents to help you out, including:
- Commercial invoices
- Bill of lading contract
- Inspection certificates
- Export license
- Shippers export declaration documents
- Export packing list
- Certificate of origin statement
Working with freight forwarding companies can provide your business with many benefits, you just have to know what to expect. For example, using direct cargo transportation services will allow your cargo to be transferred in a more environmentally friendly way because of the decrease in stops and time. If you’re looking for a great freight forwarding company, give us a call today!
