Freight Forwarding
An exporter may need a freight forwarder to make some vital decisions during the movement of the goods. Here are some inputs to help you in understanding the role of the freight forwarder.
A Freight forwarder can offer expert advice to the exporter on various logistics-related expenses (such as freight expenses, port expenses, consular fees, documentation costs, insurance fees, cost of merchandise, custom clearance and charges) incurred during the process of exports.They consider the perishable nature of the goods, transit cost, time, and safety of the goods to suggest the best possible route for the shipment to the exporter.
They arrange the booking of cargo space on ship, plane, train, or truck.
They coordinate the insurance of the goods and do the necessary follow-up in case of an accident.
They oversee the transportation of the cargo and its packing and loading into the carrier.
The freight forwarder can act as a common carrier and prepare documents such as the bill of lading, airway bill, etc. They can liaise with overseas customs agents to ensure that the goods and documents comply with local customs regulations. They can also track the real-time transit of the goods and troubleshoot if required.
Using their international network, freight forwarders can also advise exporters on legislation affecting international trade, political situation and unrest, and other factors that may affect the movement of goods. Given this suite of services, having the right freight forwarder can give a big boost to your export trade.