How to choose the perfect freight forwarder for your business
- Do you get confused on how to find the right freight forwarder to ship products overseas? International freight can be complicated and confusing so it’s good to know where to start, what to do and who you can trust!
First things firstYou’ll need to find a confident and reliable freight service provider or freight forwarder.
In simple terms, a freight forwarder is an individual or corporation that organizes shipments for importers or exporters to get goods from the manufacturer to a market, customer or final point of distribution.
While a freight forwarder doesn’t actually move the freight itself, they act as a go-between, between the client and various transport services.
Sending products from one International destination to another involves a varied series of different stages and can involve a multitude of carriers, requirements and legalities. A freight forwarding service handles the considerable logistics task for you, removing what would otherwise be a massive burden, particularly for those that are new to the game!
Why the right choice makes all the difference
Choosing a freight service provider that best suits your needs and budget is crucial to the success of your shipment. Not only will the correct choice provide enhanced efficiency and potential cost savings, but it will also give you piece of mind that your products will arrive at customers safely and on time.
No one international freight provider can be a specialist on every trade route or freight category. Do your research to find a specialist (who successfully sends cargo to the market you’re sending to) with competitive pricing. Recognise the best ‘headline price’ is not always the most cost-effective option. You may want to use several different providers depending on their expertise in that particular market and their pricing.
Questions to ask your new service provider include:
- Do they have experience with your product/commodity type?
- Do they have expertise in shipping to/from your country/region of interest?
- Can they provide testimonials from companies that have used their services?
Ultimately, service providers must understand the trade lane you are shipping and the relevant solution to move your product securely, timely and in-line with associated regulations. Spending time upfront to research and compare the market to find freight forwarders that fit your requirements and budget will save you a lot of money in the long run!
How to locate the perfect forwarder for your market
LinkedIn is fast becoming the number one research tool to find highly qualified and skilled freight forwarders.
- Use the search query “freight forward to (country)”. this will bring up all of the most highly skilled and recommended forwarders in those markets see my example below for Africa.
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I suggest you view the top 5 results to assess the forwarders ability and companies they’ve represented. Do they have testimonials? Do they have experience shipping your product?
After making an assessment you can reach out and uncover the prices from your chosen forwarders and or companies.
Sending good to West Africa?
Having worked in freight for over 35 years, specializing in Air Freight to the West African market. I’ve seen many companies make costly mistakes by not understanding the process involved.
If you’re looking to send and understand the freight forwarding process in an African market. I’m offering free freight consultations for companies looking to send their goods securely, cost-effectively and on-time.
To request a free freight consultation please email : donna.aldridge@vapourlogisticsuk.com
