As we mentioned in a previous article, freight forwarders are a key figure for international shipping, as they coordinate the entire process, acting as a mediator between importer, exporter, and carriers, working on the required formalities, and advising their clients to always find the best fit for each shipment.
The role played by freight forwarders in international shipping
Various actors are involved in international shipping: from the importer and exporter to the carrier or shipping line, but also freight forwarders.
The main difference between the carrier and the freight forwarder is the role they play in the process, as carriers operate cargo ships while freight forwarders coordinate the entire shipping process, assessing each freight’s needs, carrying out the necessary arrangements, and acting on behalf of the client to ensure that goods successfully make it to their destination.
The main functions of a freight forwarder include:
– Assessing the needs of the client and, subsequently, considering the possible transport options to find the best fit for each freight.
– Providing advice on packaging, taking into account factors such as the nature of the goods, whether or not they are perishable or potentially dangerous goods, the climate, the weight of the goods, as well as the cost of each alternative and warehousing options.
– Taking care of the formalities required for the shipment of goods, such as customs clearance, insurance, and legal and tax requirements applicable in the countries involved in the shipping transaction.
– Monitoring all the expenses derived from the transportation of goods, such as the amount to be paid to the shipping lines.
– Providing the client with an exhaustive tracking service, to guarantee transparency and trust throughout the whole process.
– Acting on behalf of the client, mediating in everything required to ensure that the international shipping process runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Priorities, specialization and value proposition
If there is one key factor to choose the right freight forwarder, that is having very clear priorities. A first-level logistics operator does not necessarily have to be the most suitable one for a project, nor does a small company. The key to knowing which is the most suitable option for each case is to thoroughly assess the specific needs of the freight. A freight forwarder specialized in the sector in which its client operates, with presence in the countries in which the transaction is going to take place, will always be able to offer a higher quality, more personalized and efficient service. It is necessary to take into account factors such as the cost of shipping goods, transit time, and the carbon footprint derived from the logistics operation and decide which of them will be prioritized in each case. Choosing a freight forwarder with a value proposition in line with your expectations and priorities will be the best decision.
International coverage and presence in the sector
The international presence of the freight forwarder is undoubtedly another factor to be taken into account since you need to make sure that the freight forwarder operates at least in the countries of origin and destination. Whether through branches in different countries or through partnerships with local operators, you need to make sure that the chosen freight forwarder knows the markets involved in the transaction, and thus can provide a service with a thorough knowledge of the local market, taking into account the particularities and formalities that may arise.
Freight forwarders often provide international services through partnerships with specialist logistic companies in the countries in which they operate. In this sense, it is key to ensure that the freight forwarder chooses its collaborators following clear quality standards.
There are also numerous networks of freight forwarders and logistic operators bringing together different companies in the sector. If a freight forwarder is a member of one or more of these organizations, that shows that it remains active in the sector and seeks to expand the scope of its services, making sure to stay in touch with like-minded companies that meet minimum quality criteria in their services.
Sustainable logistics with EccoFreight
EccoFreight is a Spanish freight forwarder that has been providing logistics services with a strong focus on sustainability since 2014. Through multimodal transport services, we offer our clients 100% customized freight forwarding solutions.
Partnerships with freight forwarders around the world and technological innovation allow us to provide a cutting-edge service in the sector, with numerous advantages for our clients, including the measurement of the carbon footprint of logistics operations, both before the process, in order to always choose the most sustainable option, as well as during and after the process, to keep a proper record of the emissions generated in the logistics operation. We also provide state-of-the-art technological solutions to provide our clients with full control over the state of their freight at all times, thanks to our GPS track and trace technology, which monitors the cargo inside the shipping container, and our EccoTrack software, which allows our clients to obtain totally transparent and updated information 24/7.
We believe in a more sustainable logistics sector. EccoFreight: Always a Step Ahead.
