subject: Things To Consider When Choosing A Freight Forwarder [print this page] A lot of businesses are engaged in shipping their products all over the world, especially when you have a website where customers from anywhere in the world can order your products. But shipping these products to locations that could virtually be anywhere isn't always easy. That's why you need a reputable freight forwarder that can help you arrange for shipment of your products to different locations as well as take care of the paperwork that's involved to get your products through customs.
In order to find a freight forwarder who can take care of all your shipping and transportation needs. Here are a few things you should keep in mind before you decide on a service provider for your company:
(1) Make sure they have experience in the kind of product you need transported. Different products require different documents and have different corresponding fees and taxes. A company who has had experience in the kind of products you carry is in a better position to give you advice on what you need to do facilitate shipping.
(2) Check what carriers and modes of transport they can offer you. Reputable companies can offer you a variety of options when it comes to modes of transportation and carriers. They usually maintain relationships with carriers and can get you lower than the published rates because of their relationship. A freight forwarder can also combine the shipments of their clients that are going to the same location. This way, you won't have to worry about a carrier refusing your shipment because you only have what is equivalent to a partial load. This ultimately lowers shipping costs for you.
(3) Check what locations they are familiar with and what locations they cannot arrange transport to. You want to hire a service provider that can help you ship efficiently to the locations you most often send to. Some of these companies may have some limitations when it comes to this, so make sure you find out before you decide to engage their services. You don't want to have to go searching for another provider quickly if your current provider can't ship to a particular location.
(4) Find a company that has a custom broker to arrange for declarations and documents. Most customs brokers today work under freight forwarders, but it never hurts to check beforehand. A custom broker will help make sure that all the documents necessary to get your products from place to place are in order and all fees are paid. That way, your products won't experience any delays.
(5) Discuss fees before you make your decision. It's important that you know exactly what's included in the fees as well. You don't want to get stuck with a freight forwarder that's too expensive.
