Choosing the right domestic or international freight forwarder means choosing an important trading partner. They need to know your strengths and weaknesses to support you, be reliable to see your money and care about your end users – the same way you do.
There are several steps to follow to make the best freight forwarder choice for you and your industry.
Do you want to hire a freight forwarder to organize your international transport? Great – but where do you find the best freight forwarder? Here are some questions you should ask yourself to find your ideal transport partner; someone who will provide you with optimal service and support the international growth of your business in the long term.
1.Do your homework and do your research
Before you start looking for a logistics provider, it is important to analyze your company’s transportation needs, the type of services your company will need and the volume you plan to ship. The right freight forwarder can help you grow your business while maintaining a level of personal communication.
2. Choose the specific experience in your market
Does this freight forwarder have experience in your area? General freight forwarders can ship goods, but they may not have specific expertise in your market. It is important to choose a company that has experts in your field.
The freight forwarder you choose to do business with should have a global reach. Are they close to your customers and suppliers? Can they evolve with you as your business grows?
3. Ensure risk management
Essentially, global transportation has unstable conditions. You need a freight forwarder who can reduce risks and who has the knowledge to manage problems as they arise. They need to be proactive and provide timely solutions.
Be sure to ask what types of freight insurance are offered, as holding your business accountable to standard carriers can be a costly mistake.
Seek open and transparent communication. You want a partner in times of crisis who will be at your side when things get complicated.
4. Confirm a wide range of services
If your business requires multimodal transportation or a need to store goods in a warehouse for long periods of time, it is important to work with a freight forwarder who specializes in providing freight transportation solutions by air, sea, land and logistics. Make sure they provide all the services you will need. If they are only local or are limited in their service, they may not be able to be flexible when you need to go beyond the norm.
5. Communication and customer service is the must
Communication is essential. Logistics is a difficult job and your freight forwarder must manage your goods from door to door. However, you need the details. Your logistics provider must provide online follow-up, timely notifications and personalized calls when you have questions or concerns, that remains the most important.
6. Verify Licenses, Certifications and Permits
Freight forwarders are required to have different permits and documents to manage your cargo, as well as special permits to transport sensitive and dangerous goods. Make sure your supplier has the right licenses for you and that they are publicly available somewhere.
Following these steps will help you find the right freight forwarder for you in Canada.
Finding a good freight forwarder is crucial to the success of your business. Whether you are looking for information about choosing a freight company or simply trying to find out exactly what it is doing.
International transport
Intra-urban, domestic, Canadian and international transportation are the most complicated type of transportation. Responding to specific legislation with customs services and other special features such as long journeys, as they are heavily monitored. If you are considering using an international freight forwarder, you need to know the key aspects of this type of transport. Let’s take a look around.
1-Specific needs of international transport
When you use an international freight forwarder, you obviously have to question the proposed timelines. Long journeys can vary depending on the mode of transport. Between the air that allows your goods to move very quickly, the marine or the rail that requires more time, or the land, the distinction is important. As always, it is better to be flexible, focus on competitive prices as well as quality logistical support. Depending on the type of cargo required, you will have to deal with different management with longer storage times for sea freight.
2- The different types of freight depending on the export area
Depending on your establishment and the final destination of the goods to be shipped, you can make a general choice. If you maintain your business in North America, choosing an international trucking company will be an attractive and less expensive option. On the other hand, air shipping allows you to be there faster at your destination, but with less accessibility. Railways were still limited for international freight, but the maritime sector was well developed. He then requests transport to the delivery point.
3- Scope of services and other services of the international freight forwarder
For this type of transport, formalities must be completed. This will be done by the International Freight Forwarder:
• Whatever the mode of transport, the shipper entrusts his goods to the freight forwarder for a commission. It is he who organizes the main transport, ensures the activities and procedures related to the transport;
• The contract of carriage between the shipper for the carriage of the goods and the carrier in the event of diversion of the goods;
• The certification of goods – customs clearance is his responsibility;
• The carrier will provide real-time monitoring and take over all or part of the logistics.
If international transport has its own characteristics, it is necessary to choose an international freight forwarder. There are still a lot of costs, hence the importance of finding the right partner to secure shipments inside or outside Canada.
