6 Tips to Select a Forwarder for Shipping Freight

When it comes to shipping freight from one destination to another, you just cannot choose a freight forwarder at random. You need to understand that a freight forwarder will work as your partner and play a big role in the success of your business. If your freight forward is not a trusted partner for your logistics needs, you will end up dealing with serious issues. Here are a few things to keep in mind to select the best freight forwarder:

 

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·         Know your unique circumstances and needs. It is important to have a clear idea about your internal requirements before you start your search for a freight forwarder. Get some idea about what specific services will work for you and what mode of transport is more suitable for your business. It is also important to know about the volume you want to ship to select a right forwarder.

·         Educate yourself about freight forwarding industry. This will help you learn what they will be responsible for and what your responsibilities are once you sign a contract with them. Use the internet or talk directly to some freight forwarders to get a better idea about how they work.

·         Opt for a freight forwarder with ability to handle multiple types of shipments. Even if you think you ocean freight is currently the best option for you, you never know when you might need to use air freight. Therefore, it is better to select a forwarder with experience, technology, and capacity to handle different types of shipments.

·         Ensure they have the experience you require. It is important to check if they are capable of handling larger shipments. It is equally important to inquire how they are going to manage your shipment. This is related to designating a person who will serve as your point of contact for arranging documents, coordinating the shipment, and communicating when a problem arises.

·         Do not forget to ask about their network of agents working in your destination country. This is extremely important to ensure that your customer faces no issue when shipping freight. You should also inquire about it to avoid dealing with any issue for any DAP, DDU, DDP shipments.

·         Organize a list of requirements before going any further. It is always better to have a clear idea of when you want to begin. You should also have your objectives clear in your mind – it could be related to commodities being shipped, delivery time, terms of sales, special packaging requirements, volume, and more.

It is important to pay attention to all these points to be able to select the best freight forwarding company working with you. However, you should also choose to work with a company that comes with multiple service contracts and offers cargo insurance policies for all your shipments. This will ensure that you are working with a professional and that your shipment stays safe as well. Not all freight forwarders are going to offer insurance, so be sure to know this in advance to avoid any problem later.