May 8, 2020
What is Freight Forwarding?
At its core, freight forwarding is a set of services that coordinates the shipment of goods from one location to another. In today’s global market, it’s one of the most commonly used methods for the international transport of goods.
Role of a Freight Forwarder
Freight forwarders are professionals who arrange the movement of goods nationally and/or around the world. According to the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association, the freight forwarder’s role is to ensure traded goods reach their correct destination:
- On-time,
- In good condition, and
- In the most economically efficient way.
Depending on your freight and trade needs, freight forwarders coordinate the shipments of goods with a single carrier or with multiple carriers. These carriers work by air, ocean, and land to get your goods where they need to go, anywhere in the world. While many carriers specialize in one mode of transport, such as cargo planes or freight trucking, some offer multiple modes of service. Freight forwarding professionals handle the transportation logistics of all of this for their customers.
Additionally, with a deep understanding of suppliers and trade patterns, freight forwarders negotiate with their network of global partners to find solutions for your supply chain.
International Freight Forwarder
Freight forwarding plays an essential role in our ever-changing and increasingly connected world of global trade. Along with connecting global supply chains, freight forwarders work on behalf of their customers to ensure their goods are smoothly imported and exported around the world. This makes international trade easier for entrepreneurs and industry leaders alike.
Along with coordinating the logistics, experienced freight forwarders are experts in customs regulations, negotiating tariffs, and the different requirements to ship by air, land, and ocean. This knowledge allows qualified freight forwarders to effectively manage the complex risks of international shipping for their customers.
How to Choose a Freight Forwarder
Because of the complexities involved in freight forwarding, it’s essential that you choose a reputable freight forwarding company that you can trust. Along with continuously staying up-to-date on the ever-changing world of international trade and customs regulations, they need to be committed to helping you with your unique business needs.
It’s also key to partner with customer-focused freight forwarding providers that use top-of-the-line technology to track your freight. This allows you to have visibility on your freight shipments as they travel, taking away the guesswork. A company that offers you the ability to view freight forwarding documents and billing documents online will help you further streamline your processes and allow you to focus your attention on growing your business.
Whether you’re an individual needing to organize a shipment, a global brand needing to get your goods from your manufacturer to your distribution hub, or somewhere in between, freight forwarding is a flexible solution designed for today’s modern supply chain.
Are you in need of freight forwarding services? Carson International works with our network of global logistics partners, to provide you with flexible freight solutions to achieve your international freight requirements. Get a quote for free.