International Shipping Forwarder
A freight forwarder is like a jack-of-all-trades in international shipping. They deal with everything from transporting cargo to negotiating rates on behalf of their clients to providing additional services like customs clearance and insurance.
They are experts in figuring out the best way to get your goods from New York City to Tokyo. Choosing the right freight forwarder can help you avoid headaches and expensive delays.
Experience
International shipping is complex and requires a wide variety of documents and regulations that differ from country to country. Quality forwarders cultivate relationships with carriers and officials at ports around the globe to ensure they have quick access to global markets. They also understand the nuances of customs documents like bills of lading, incoterms and HS codes to manage compliance and document delivery in multiple jurisdictions. These skills and their experience are vital for handling the unforeseen challenges that can occur during an international shipment (congested ports, equipment and labor shortages and union strikes).
If you’re looking for an international freight forwarder to handle your international supply chain, make international shipping forwarder sure they offer all modes of transport including air, ocean, rail and road. Also, look for a company that has an office in the major ports and airports in your target region as well as warehouses and depots.
Lastly, ask about their affiliations with professional organizations and associations. This shows they’re dedicated to staying ahead of the curve on industry standards and new tools and are active participants in their sector of the market. Their memberships also allow them to leverage their networks and resources when navigating obstacles with overseas governments, airlines and customs agents. This can help ensure your shipment arrives on time and without costly delays.
Technology
Using the latest technologies can greatly improve an international forwarder’s services. They can digitalize core processes and enable faster documentation processing with automation tools. This can also help reduce costs and enhance risk management. Moreover, online platforms allow clients to communicate with their freight forwarders or carriers through user-friendly interfaces. Supply chain visibility is also enhanced with advanced tracking systems integrated with IoT devices.
These systems can automatically sort cargo based on destination, size or type and speed up the flow of goods at the ports or airports. They can also improve warehouse efficiency by facilitating data exchange between different modules. For example, a comprehensive platform offered by digital freight forwarder Twill can store all the relevant documents in one secure location rather than send them via emails back and forth.
Digital forwarders can also generate more usable data and analyze it faster, enabling them to spot trends sooner. Hence, they can create more reliable forecasts and form flexible, resilient supply chains.
Having access to more data points also allows them to optimize their carrier relationships, making sure they are getting the best rates and preferential treatment. They can then make timely decisions based on the latest market trends and conditions. This gives them an edge over name-brand forwarders that may have the muscle to negotiate favorable rates but are slow to respond during busy periods or when there’s a sudden change in market conditions.
Flexibility
Shipping goods internationally involves more than just transporting your product. It requires a thorough understanding of international logistics procedures and a solid network of global international freight forwarder partners to avoid lengthy queues and astronomical costs. An international freight forwarder can take care of all these aspects and ensure your goods reach their destination in perfect condition.
Freight forwarders have established relationships with air freight carriers, ocean carrier services and rail freight providers. They make use of these connections to secure competitive rates for your shipment. They also offer logistical flexibility. For example, if an air carrier cancels a flight, your international freight forwarder can find another one quickly to keep your cargo on schedule.
In addition to providing logistical flexibility, an international shipping forwarder can help you navigate the uncertainty posed by global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. They can explain how these disruptions impacted your business and the options you have for moving your goods. For instance, they can tell you whether or not it’s cheaper to change routes than delay shipments. They can even advise you on the best time to move your shipments during a disruption. We have compared flexibility-based countermeasures during the Gothenburg port conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic, including spatial flexibility (change of route) and temporal flexibility (service adaptations). The results show that during the COVID-19 pandemic, shipping lines implemented more service adaptions than during the port conflict.
Customer Service
A good freight forwarder provides clear communication throughout the shipping process, responds quickly to inquiries and issues, and offers personalized solutions to meet your specific needs. They also understand complex international compliance and regulations that differ by region and country, and can help you navigate them.
A quality freight forwarder has already established relationships with carriers, shipping agents and other forwarders to create the optimal route for your shipment based on speed, price and reliability. They use these connections to negotiate rates and transport options and choose economical routes that balance space/tonnage, freight type, time flexibility and credit status. Freight forwarders often act as customs brokers, submitting the complex documentation required by international shipping regulations on behalf of shippers. This requires a special licensure and a deep understanding of international trade laws.
When evaluating prospective freight forwarders, it is important to consider their experience and reputation in the industry. The number of years in business, their service level agreements with major air and ocean carriers and the strength of their network can all indicate a freight forwarder’s ability to provide you with a seamless shipping experience. However, the true test of a freight forwarder’s customer service is in their responsiveness and problem-solving capabilities. Airlines, ocean carriers and especially customs agencies are not forgiving of incorrect or late paperwork. A reliable freight forwarder will be on top of every document, ensuring it is accurate and complete.