Freight forwarders are mediators, they ensure that your goods are transported in the fastest and most efficient way from A to B. This is something different from a carrier, which only ensures that your goods are transported. You can, among other things, turn to a freight forwarder for negotiating price, drawing up contracts, handling the bill of lading & manifest. In addition to these matters, the freight forwarder will be responsible for freight charges and import duties, he will insure the goods, arrange transport from A to B, and possibly assist in storage. A freight forwarder is thus an intermediary who can multitask.
Throughout the years, specialties have emerged in the world of freight forwarders:
• A significant part of the freight forwarders focuses on land transport, including road transport, but also rail transport.
• The seaport expedites mainly book containers at cargo towns and arrange land and land transportation.
• Air freight forwarders act as airline agency when booking air freight.
• Customs freight forwarders are specialists in providing import and export documents and arrange customs duties on behalf of their customers.
In summary:
• Fright forwarders negotiate price
• Fright forwarders handle all the administrative chores.
• Freight forwarders disregard the whole process of transporting your goods from A to B
There remains one task for you and that is to pick the right freight forwarder.
