Thursday, November 17, 2016

Essential Information When Selecting A Freight Forwarder Professional

By Thomas Adams


When dealing with anything concerning supply chain, you need to be careful on who you are working with. As the business owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that everything you do succeeds. Remember that if there is a fail in any department, the failure affects the whole process any you will eventually make a loss. One of the major part that can cause a fail is a forwarding part. You, therefore, need the following information so that you can be able to select the best freight forwarder professional.

One important thing that you should always do before contacting any forwarder is to understand your process very well. Understand all your requirements. Put everything down on ink. This is a strategy to help see the reality of even the services that you require. It will be now easy to contact and bargain with the forwarder having all the facts at hand.

Can they deal with many kinds of cargo? You can be forced to import via ocean shipment from a country like China, however, what if you were planning to import ship from a place like Vietnam by air freight, or export to Dubai via RORO or Breakbulk services for oil drilling equipment? Do they have the expertise, knowledge, and collaborations all over the world to tackle your importation?

Do they have the expertise you value? Very many commodities that can be transported are available - For instance cars, garments chemicals, perishables, hazardous, food, and machinery. There are regulations too (OFAC, BIS, ITAR) and source/ destination. Not all shipment providers can tackle this combination. In that regard, inquire from the potential forwarders their level of expertise in your type of importation. Normally, they ought to be in a position to highlight an example of identical shipment they have conducted before for someone else.

Reputation is a key thing that should be considered. A reputable firm will always work out best since they do not want to spoil their good name. The best way to know the reputation of the firm is to check whether they are registered with any forwarding association. This does not mean that all registered forwarders are the best. No, check even the name of the association. If it has a good reputation also, then you can be sure that you will receive the best services.

In what manner will your shipment be carried out? There should be a contact person with whom you communicate. The contact person or persons should be dedicated to providing updates on your operations either through telephone, emails or any agreed form of communication. They should also answer any questions you may have about the operation.

Once you settle on a certain firm, ensure that they know your expectations. Make your goals and objectives clear to them. This includes the time that you want the work done, when the reports should be submitted and any other thing you would want them to know. Once this is clear, you can be sure to have a smooth running.

Once you entrust the forwarders with the work, you also have a role to play to ensure success. Do not be ignorant of your roles. Know every detail concerning the transportation of goods. Go through the laws governing the same so that you will work it right.




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