The freight forwarding process refers to the flow of goods between destinations. The process is conducted by freight forwarders. Businesses seeking to expand and grow by trading at an international level should turn to the freight forwarder to streamline the process and ensure accuracy.
Shipping items provides an opportunity for an organization to expand its customer base. However, the logistics process involved in international trade is complicated and requires the skills of a freight forwarder.
The Freight Forwarding Process
A freight forwarder functions by facilitating all aspects of shipping. They do not actually conduct shipping. Instead, freight forwarding services focus on the intricacies of the process. Freight forwarders know the changing requirements of international trade and regulations to effectively ship items around the world.
Freight forwarding firms provide specialized teams of agents to oversee all documentation and paperwork for the shipping and receiving of goods. The main objective is to ensure that the goods arrive by the required date. The freight forwarders will handle every step of the cargo process which may include insurance claims or internal bills of lading
Stages of Freight Forwarding
Export Haulage
The term ‘export haulage’ refers to the movement of goods from the shipper’s location to the warehouse of the freight forwarder. Usually, a truck or train transports the goods. The time it takes can vary depending on the distance of the transport, geographic location, and size/amount of goods. The initial first stage can take from a few hours to several weeks.
Checking of Items
After export haulage, a freight forwarder will always check to make sure that all items were transported without any problems.
Clearing Export Customs
Prior to shipping, items must have clearance from the country of origin. Customs brokers perform the process by submitting details concerning the cargo along with any required documents. The agreement developed between the shipper and consignee is singular and not managed by the freight forwarding company. Instead, you’ll need a third-party customs broker service to handle the process.
Customs Clearance for Importation
When the shipment arrives at its destination then the authorities must check the import documents. However, this stage process can actually start before the cargo arrives. A freight forwarder will obtain clearance before the cargo arrives which saves time and streamlines the process.
Destination Arrival and Handling
Many processes take place during this stage when the cargo arrives. The freight forwarders receive all documents for the goods such as the carrier bills and outstanding documentation. This process is always managed by the freight forwarder.
As you can see, the stages of a freight forwarder are very straightforward but integral to the entire logistics process. Please contact Sobel Network Shipping Co. to learn more.
