Hiring a Freight Forwarding company can allow your business to focus on what you are good at knowing your goods are safe and well looked after.
Importing and exporting are essential components of many businesses and more and more companies are looking to expand their business outside of the UK.
International shipping could present brilliant business opportunities for your business, but implementing the necessary steps to getting there can seem incredibly daunting, especially if you are new to the process.There can be an enormous amount of paperwork, not to mention the regulations involved all of which can be difficult to understand if you are not accustomed to the complexities of international trade.
However, that’s where the role of a freight forwarder steps in. They will allow you to focus on your business and your products while they oversee the logistics and necessary import and export formalities.
What does a Freight Forwarder Really Do?
Freight forwarders are not responsible for physically moving your goods – they’re not carriers. Freight forwarding firms act as an intermediary between shippers and carriers, tackling all the frustrating and often overwhelming administrative aspects of logistics and supply chain management so you don’t have to worry! International forwarders are also incredibly useful with advice and can offer shippers useful advice for dealing with banks, strict regulations, complicated documentary requirements, and so much more. A freight forwarder is an integral part of the supply chain for large international shippers or shippers considering expansion.
They will negotiate freight on your behalf with the major international shipping line, assist with documents, customs and organising transport and deliveries.
Why Should I Hire a Freight Forwarder?
Physical boundaries are no longer a barrier for businesses and entrepreneurs around the world. With the professional service of freight forwarding companies, billions of pounds of freight are transported across the world every day. In order to determine whether you should hire a freight forwarder, you’ll need to consider the needs of your business, examine your long-term goals, and carefully weigh if employing a freight forwarder is the next logical step for your business expansion. Decide on what mode of transportation and the specific services you will need in progressing with a freight forwarding company and also the volume you plan to ship. These steps are of utmost importance and will determine how you proceed forth. A good freight forwarding firm can save you an enormous amount of time and potential headaches in regards to paperwork and customs while providing reliable transportation of your products at competitive rates.
A freight forwarder is an asset which almost any company dealing in international transportation of goods can utilise and is especially helpful when in-house resources are not familiar with international shipping procedures.
There are significant advantages to using a freight forwarder, we’ve listed a few below:
- A Freight Forwarder handles supplementary services that are part of running an international shipping business such as insurance and customs documentation. They also provide to consolidators as well as individual shippers.
- Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier documentation
- Bills of Lading
- Warehousing
- Risk Assessment and Management
- Methods of International Payment
- Etc…
- Coordinating loading and delivery of cargo
- Providing different schedules and methods of cargo movement
- Freight management, customs clearance
- A freight forwarder improves ROI
An experienced freight forwarder is completely aware of global freight shipping laws, so it takes significantly less time for freight forwarders to complete the necessary paperwork and deliver the goods to its destination as soon as possible. This means avoiding unnecessary delays and collecting multiple shipment projects, the forwarder reduces the overall cost of goods delivery thus improving the return on investment.
- Trade Association Connections Prove High-Quality Service
It bodes well if a freight forwarder is part of an association such as FIATA, it requires financial credibility, efficiency in operations, integrity and many other criteria to be a member. If a freight forwarder belongs to a notable association, the chances of them managing your shipment with a high level of professionalism and diligence are much more significant than if they are a non-member. The fact that the majority of these trade associations thoroughly vet freight forwarders before accepting them is a sure sign that members must have a proven track record of high-quality services.
Conclusion
When undertaking a major move forward with your business is it always best to carefully research all the options, employing a freight forwarder certainly being one of them. Freight forwarders are familiar with all the ins and outs of assisting in transporting goods internationally. They are experts in the extensive paperwork required for importing and exporting goods, provide excellent customer service and that your goods arrive intact and in a timely fashion. A freight forwarding company is a fantastic way to streamline your import/export business, improving your bottom line in multiple ways.