What Does a Freight Forwarder Do & Why Do You Need One?

Generally speaking, freight forwarders are in charge of handling the logistics of shipping goods from one international destination to another, a task that would otherwise be a tremendous burden on their client. They serve as a mediator between shippers and various transport services such as ocean shipping on cargo ships, transportation by truck, expedited air freight, and rail transportation.

Many exporters use freight forwarders as their shipping agents to comply with export documentation and shipping requirements. Forwarders advise clients on how to transport goods most efficiently between different points. Exporting can be simplified by the extensive knowledge that forwarders have regarding documentation requirements, regulation, transportation costs, and banking practices.

You might as well come up with certain questions in mind related to freight forwarding, such as what is freight forwarding or how freight forwarding works. Let us just understand the basics of these questions. Once you’ve read the article, you’ll definitely have answers to all your questions in mind.

What is Freight Forwarding?

In very simple terms, shipping goods from one point to another is known as freight forwarding. Depending on the nature of the shipment, one or more carriers or shipping methods may be used, including rail, air, ocean, and road. You can contact a freight forwarder for assistance with the entire process of shipping. To ensure compliance with local laws, the journey must be planned, shipping carriers and shipping services must be contracted. This is made easy when you use freight forwarder services.

It is the goal of freight forwarding to move goods efficiently and economically while maintaining the quality of the goods during the shipping process.

Well, after reading this, you might have had some idea as to what freight forwarding is.

Freight forwarders: Their roles and responsibilities

Listed below is a brief description of what a forwarder does on an average day:

• Tracking the status of your shipments
• Brokerage of customs
• Inventory management
• Dealing with negotiations
• Scheduling of cargo space
• Transport consolidation
• Insurance coverage for cargo

Now, let us have a look at how freight forwarding works or what exactly is the process of shipping internationally. The steps below will help you to understand this in detail.

Generally, international shipments are accompanied by five types of physical steps and two types of documentation processes. Try and understand the following points explaining in detail how freight forwarding works. You would probably get the majority of your answers.

• International haulage

International haulage is the movement of goods in the direction of the freight forwarders’ warehouse from the shipper’s location. Generally, trains and trucks combine their efforts in order to transport goods. It might take several hours to a few weeks, depending on the distance and the geographic location.

• Obtaining clearance for export

Prior to leaving the country, a piece of cargo must be cleared by the country from which it originated. A licensed customs house broker handles this process. In addition to submitting documentation regarding the cargo, they must also provide all the details that are required. This step is often handled by an agreement between the shipper and consignee.

• Handling of origin

During the handling of the initial stage, a number of activities are performed by the freight forwarder or the agent working with them. Receiving the cargo and unloading it are the first steps. Additionally, the forwarder’s cargo receipt is issued after the cargo has been verified against the booking details.

• Clearance of imported goods

A check of the import customs paperwork is required in the destination country where the goods are going. Documentation on the kind and value of goods being shipped serves as a declaration. The process of clearing a cargo for import can begin even before it reaches its destination, and this process is not the same as customs duty. Generally, freight forwarders, their agents, or their nominated customs house brokers are responsible for importing customs clearance, unless they are exempt from doing so under the law.

• The destination handling process

Freight forwarders’ destination offices perform various freight handling activities. The process includes receiving the documents from the freight forwarder’s office or agent at origin, checking any documents, sending the carrier bill, etc. In this part of the handling process, it is always the freight forwarder or a representative of the freight forwarder who handles it.

• Shipping imports

Often, shipping import refers to the process of moving the cargo from the warehouse from where it is imported to its final destination. Consignees can also decide whether they will collect the cargo themselves or have the freight forwarder transport it for them.

• Deliveries with a fast track

Fast delivery services provided by companies like GenX Freight are of great value to so many clients that need last-minute freight forwarding services.

Hope the above pointers have given you some idea of how freight forwarding works.

Now let us see next why use a freight forwarder for your cargo.

Why Use a Freight Forwarder?

Using a freight forwarder will benefit you in many ways. Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t cut out the freight forwarder from the shipping process.

Importing and exporting are easier when you hire a freight forwarder. The agents, shipping lines, and hauliers arrange the shipping from beginning to end. If you need documentation, they’ll know what to provide. Their knowledge of the customs process helps them complete the customs entries and help you with the information you need to have prepared before shipping so that your goods arrive ready for shipment from start to finish.

Having a freight forwarder by your side can help answer your questions, they can advise you on the most cost-effective way of transporting your cargo, and they can handle everything smoothly due to their extensive knowledge and experience. If you miss a boat, have problems due to bad weather, or a port/airport closure, you will always have a backup plan. Rather than simply cancelling a job, a freight forwarder will look for alternatives.

Freight forwarding can also provide packing and palletisation services as a bonus. As a result, your shipment will arrive safely and you can continue to run your business as normal.

Looking at all the above points, it is always a good idea to use a freight forwarding service provider to smoothen your freight process. So next time you think about why use a freight forwarder company, keep in mind that that is going to be the best possible solution to hassle-free freight forwarding.

Now let us see what the freight forwarding business is all about and how advisable it is.

What is Freight Forwarding Business and how could you possibly start one?

Globally, the freight industry contributes billions of dollars to the economy of the UK each year. Freight businesses are seen as lucrative opportunities that can be established and operated successfully. In other words, the freight forwarding business provides an international hand to the shipper.

Here are 5 quick and easy tips for starting your own freight forwarding business. Only once you think you could manage all these, you should think of getting into this industry.

• Examine the market
• Determine the operational costs of a freight forwarding company
• Working on a strategic plan
• Get involved with an alliance
• Understanding and identifying the benefits and risks of freight forwarding

Learn everything you can about the freight forwarding business before implementing these tips. An extensive range of training options is available for the freight industry. You could join such training sessions for answers to questions like, what is freight forwarding business.