LOGISTICS, FREIGHT & TRANSPORTATION


FEATURE


Is a freight forwarder right for you?


International importing and exporting could be the next step for expanding your business, but it can also be a daunting or a confusing process. However, a freight forwarder can take a lot of stress out of the process by dealing with everything, from customs clearances to the delivery of goods, on your behalf. But is a freight forwarder the right choice for you?


WHAT DOES A FREIGHT FORWARDER DO? A freight forwarder is a company that arranges for goods to be transported from one country to another. As simple as this sounds, there is a great deal of work


that goes on in the background to ensure seamless and safe delivery and a freight forwarder will handle every aspects of the logistics while acting as the shipping agent. The exact process will vary depending on the cargo and


the type and length of the journey, but in most cases a freight forwarder will:


• Arrange for transport of goods from the point of origin (such as your factory or warehouse) and delivery to your agreed location


• Prepare documents, licences and any other relevant paperwork needed for export and ensure compliance with international custom laws


• Organise passage for land, sea or air freight as needed and oversee the loading and unloading of cargo at every stage


• Track the delivery from pick up to drop off


Freight forwarders do not move freight themselves; instead they will subcontract each stage of the journey to local suppliers and act as an intermediary between the shipper and the various transportation services and storage facilities used. They will utilise established relationships with trusted contacts in the carrier industry to expedite each part of the journey. A freight forwarder is not necessarily required for a firm


to ship internationally. However, because the process requires a great deal of in-depth knowledge – particularly on regulations, which vary from country to country – in addition to a lot of documentation, a lot of importers choose to leave it in the hands of an expert.


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