What is Freight Forwarder

 

A freight forwarder (often just forwarder) is a third party logistics provider. As a third party (or non asset based) provider a forwarder dispatches shipments via asset-based carriers and books or otherwise arranges space for those shipments. Carrier types include waterborne vessels, airplanes, trucks or railroads.

Freight Forwarder Roles in Australia

Australia

In Australia most licensed Customs Clearance Agents (now more commonly referred to as Customs Brokers), operate under a freight forwarder.

What to do When Freight Forwarding Internationally?

What to do When Freight Forwarding Internationally?

Freight forwarding is a service offered by a transportation and logistics company and refers to the moving of cargo by air, sea or land to where you need it to go - international or domestic. An International freight forwarding company will manage every aspect of this cargo moving from transportation, to customs, to warehousing, handling and distribution. International freight forwarding is mostly a business related service as many businesses will import or export goods.

Using an international freight forwarding company simplifies to freight forwarding logistics and red tape as they will know all the ins and outs of international freight forwarding. They know things like the import and export rules, regulations, and custom requirements and know the right people to get your freight to where you want it to go.

Megatop Cargo is a Sydney based international freight forwarding company that specialize in global logistics and supply chain management. They offer many services to their clients who include businesses, individuals and students. Some of these services include:

International freight forwarding services via air, sea or land - Customs clearance by their own highly qualified and licensed custom clearance agents - Logistic expertise - Warehousing in their own warehouse facilities - Land transportation with their own fleet of trucks - Helpful and knowledgeable staff who are there to help you

Their tips for individuals who are looking at international freight forwarding their goods are: 1. Label all freight boxes with name, overseas address and telephone number 2. Complete a Package List, which is a exporting and customs requirement 3. Mark fragile items accordingly 4. Ensure each box/suitcase is no more than 30kg 5. You will need to pick up your freight at the international airport cargo warehouse (not the international passengers airport) 6. Make sure you have your passport with you at time of pick up.

These are just some tips to help you but it is best to speak to a Megatop Cargo international freight forwarding expert who will be able to answer all your questions and more. The international freight forwarding and chain management services offered by Megatop Cargo have also been internationally recognized by industry body the IATA (International Air Transport Association) who awarded them with an accreditation. Megatop has also been members of this esteemed organization since 1995.

Advantages of International Freight Forwarders for Export and Import

Five Advantages of International Freight Forwarders for Export and Import

Starting an export-import business is a challenging, but rewarding opportunity for both the small and large companies. There are many things which should be set in place before you ever make one business transaction. For instance, what will you sell? Who can you trust? What industries are booming, and which ones should you avoid?

And those questions are just for beginners.

Once you have determined an adequate direction for your business, you need to worry about the logistics. How will you handle shipping? What forms of payment will you accept? Have you covered all the bases when it comes to licensing requirements and tax identification?

It can all be overwhelming if you have to learn the business from the ground up, and that can be the difference between success and failure.

Perhaps two of the biggest areas where you must excel if you hope for your business to be a success are in the areas of customs and shipping ? in particular, shipping. After all, not all products ship the same, and mistakes in shipping can lead to excessive fines and loss of product.

To navigate the maze, it is worth the money you will pay to hire professional international freight forwarders for the enhancement of your business.

Here are five ways international freight forwarders can really bring out the best in your company:

1. Clearance through customs: Customs paperwork is a tricky and sordid maze, especially if all you know about are the business-to-business commerce aspects of trade. Customs authorization is a complex area that will only further tax your understanding and clog your ability to take care of customers, vendors, and marketing. International freight forwarders, in addition to knowing all the ins and outs of proper shipping procedures, offer customs clearance services to aid you in simplifying your business.

2. Any and all issues arising with documentation: In order to receive your payment from a bank, there are many documents that may be required to satisfy the involved bank or financial institution. One such document is the bill of lading. A proper bill of lading will facilitate fast payment, so you can keep your business moving along with your freight.

3. Insurance: Not only do many freight forwarders provide insurance options for your shipments, they know what is best for the needs of your business, and can quickly determine the most protective and cost efficient way that you can complete each transaction.

4. Inventory Management: Who better to help you with inventory management than the service that handles your freight? Freight forwarders and international freight forwarders can help ensure your product, which means you will always have a clear handle on your company's assets.

5. Logistics and supply-chain Management: Logistics is, of course, the management of the flow of goods and resources between the point of origin and the point of consumption. Careful planning is a necessity of successful freight flow, and freight forwarders are professionals at accomplishing this task.

Domestic and international freight forwarders are skilled at planning and execution. Both are full-time jobs. Where will you find the time to devote to it, when you've got your own business to run? Let freight forwarders take care of you, so you can take care of the customer.

Tips for Selecting Freight Forwarding Company and Logistics Vendor

Tips on Freight Forwarding Company and Third Party Logistics Vendor Selection

Moving freight around the world can be a costly and labor-intensive process. Selecting a Freight Forwarding or Third Party Logistics company can be a challenge. The company must have enough experience to handle payment between buyer and seller and understand the proper incoterms of trade so that responsibility can be provider assigned to each party.

The most important issue when making your selection is ensuring that the Freight Forwarding company spends enough time check prices on the various transportation providers (airlines, railways, ocean liners, and ground haulers) in order to be confident that the price they quote you will be competitive. You can accomplish this yourself by contacting 5 to 10 brokers and choosing the lowest price with the firm that you think has the capabilities to move your freight. Or, you can select a broker which handles this task for you by doing enough research in the marketplace.

Besides selecting a competent and competitively priced firm, handling the shipment will rely on your making providing timely responses to the Freight Forwarding company. For international shipments, the Freight Forwarding company will require you to provide several documents that are essential to clearing customs and to avoid any delays en route. You should have prepared the Commercial Invoice, which shows the items and selling prices of the goods in the shipment. A packing list which details the weights and quantities of each carton and pallet should also be included.

Finally, the Shipper's Letter of Instruction or the Shipper's Export Declaration is necessary to keep on file for Customs and to specify the Incoterms of trade. Be advised that these documents will be required as soon as the shipment is booked, so it's best to have these documents ready as to not cause any delays in the shipment.