Are you looking to move goods from one location to another but are struggling with making sure the shipments are handled efficiently and in line with compliance and regulations?
Even if you are shipping goods from one state in the US to another, the laws and tick boxes can be overwhelming and irritating. So, you may need to investigate hiring the services of a freight forwarder.
These are, in essence, a person or a company that organizing the shipping of goods from the manufacturer or sales areas to the customer or final point. If you think of a traditional trucker, they could be classed as local freight forwarders.
Here, this article will look at their importance in shipping, as well as the benefits of hiring them to move your goods, so, enjoy!
Expertise and Industry Knowledge
When asking what is a freight forwarder, the obvious answer is that they are experts in international shipping, as well as knowing about the laws and regulations that surround moving goods by plane, sea, rail or road. They also know about customs regulations and the documents required for different goods.
They can oversee the logistics of moving your foods and ensure that your goods are moved efficiently. So, whether you are shipping livestock, like fish, or are shipping cars to Spain, they can help you.
Efficient Logistics Management
The reason these guys are so important is that they can manage and oversee complex logistic operations.
They will handle the end-to-end process of moving goods, such as arranging suitable transportation, to the managing of customs clearance, as well as the printing and presenting of documents. This allows businesses and shippers to focus on their businesses, without the hassle of overseeing this complex area as well.
Cost Savings
They can also help your business to save money. They will often be able to negotiate lower rates than individual shippers and can also optimize the shipping routes, to reduce the transport costs, as well as consolidating shipments. They can also save costs with customs and tariffs.
Risk Management and Insurance
When you are shipping goods, there will be a few risks involved.
This includes things like loss, delay and damage. However, freight forwarders can mange these risks by ensuring that there is the appropriate insurance coverage and, they will also offer cargo insurance to protect against potential losses that may occur during the transit of goods. They can also resolve issues that can arise during the shipping process meaning that their proactive approach to risk management can make shipping goods a breeze.
Regulatory Compliance
As mentioned before, when it comes to international shipping, the landscape is more than a bit complicated!
Freight forwarders are experts in customs regulations as well as the legal requirements for both import and export. This will help your company to avoid any legal issues around importing or exporting of goods, as well as a smooth customs clearance, which means you won’t need to worry about legal fees arising or any fines occurring due to oversight.
