What is a Freight Forwarder?
A Freight Forwarder is the intermediary actor who is responsible for overseeing the movement of goods across states, countries, and continents, for importers, exporters, marketers in general, and manufacturers who must get their products from one point to another. Cargo, unlike a package, comes with higher risk and requires competence to manage this risk, hence the importance of having an experienced freight forwarder.
Freighting could be done using cargo planes, trains, trucks, and the oldest of all, ships. What a Freight Forwarder does is, take the burden off you, of the nuanced processes involved in moving your freight, from the point of documentation, clearance of customs, organizing and booking of space for your consignment, negotiating of best rates that suit your budget and so much more.
What Freight Forwarders Do For You.
- A Freight Forwarder, particularly an experienced one, has trusted contacts with multiple reliable partners and carriers around the world with whom they can negotiate the best rates. They evaluate different options that might not be evident to others with less experience and so are able to help you make the best decision on freighting methods, best routing, cost and rates, reliability, and other variables.
- Experienced Freight Forwarders are most likely Authorized Economic Operators (AEO). The World Customs Organization defines an Authorized Economic Operator as “a party involved in the international movement of goods in whatever function that has been approved by, or on behalf of, a national customs administration, so as to comply with WCO supply chain security standards.” This certification allows the Freight Forwarder to take advantage of simplified customs clearance.
- A Freight Forwarder, through many experiences in the routing of transportation, and the cost-effectiveness of each means of shipping is in a perfect position to advise you concerning your shipment and tailor the best arrangement for your shipment to get to you.
Why You Need to Have an Experienced Freight Forwarder
- An experienced Freight Forwarder is probably more knowledgeable and is better at realizing potential obstacles that could surface around the shipment of your goods. They hold licenses that enable them to produce documents that are a requirement of customs regulations.?
- Experienced Freight Forwarders, due to a wide network of proven and reliable shippers, port officers, carriers, warehouse owners, and even other forwarders, are able to provide seamless service delivery.
- Freight Forwarders assist you with the large volume of documentation involved at various points within the flow of a supply chain.
