Transporting goods internationally and locally can be a hassle, especially if you’re unfamiliar with shipping regulations. That’s where a freight forwarding service can come in handy. In general, freight forwarding is the coordination and shipment of goods from one destination to another using single or multiple carriers. Carriers can include various methods, including air, marine, rail, or highway. They’re able to take care of a full range of services, from tracking inland transportation, booking cargo space, negotiating freight changes, preparing shipping and export documents, and even filing insurance claims.

When making the decision between 3PL services and freight forwarding, one important thing to note is that a freight forwarder does not actually move your freight itself—it acts as an intermediary between a shipper and various transportation services. Freight forwarding companies utilize their relationships with carriers, including air freighters, trucking companies, rail freighters, and ocean liners, to negotiate the best possible price to move their client’s goods. This way, their customers will be able to take advantage of the option that offers the best balance of speed, cost, and reliability.

Why do people choose to use freight forwarders when they could just make arrangements for shipping their products themselves? The truth is that freight forwarders offer rates that companies may not be able to get on their own. Their established relationships with carriers allow them exclusive prices, from which their customers can benefit. In addition, their extensive knowledge of documentation requirements, regulations, transportation costs, and banking practices can make the export process a lot easier for companies. Regardless of your freight size, freight forwarders can handle all export responsibilities and take the burden off your company.

Courtesy: APS Fulfillment, Inc / Blogs