Freight forwarders play a vital role in the supply chain. As an established point of contact in the transport industry, they often negotiate freight rates and orchestrate imports and exports on behalf of their clients. They work with shipping companies to safely transport your goods to their final destination safely and efficiently.
If your business is expanding or you’re struggling to meet shipping demands, consider the following benefits of working with a freight forwarder.
Accurate and Timely Documentation
When shipping your goods internationally, incomplete or inaccurate documentation can lead to lengthy delays or your shipment not reaching the correct destination. All goods that enter a country from overseas must pass customs clearance.
Customs agents check that all items are safe, legal, and are accompanied by the correct paperwork before they are allowed to cross an international border. While you may not need to present all of the following documents, it’s a good idea to have them ready, regardless of where you’re shipping.
- Commercial invoice
- ProForma invoice
- Customs packing list
- Country of Origin (COO) Certificate
- Bill of lading
- Dangerous goods forms
The required documentation for your shipment depends on several factors. Whether you’re exporting or importing goods, the mode of transport, whether it’s a domestic or international shipment, and the final destination can impact what paperwork you need to prepare.
Cost Savings
One of the most significant benefits of working with a freight forwarder is gaining access to their network. Freight forwarders have established relationships with international carriers, allowing them to negotiate better deals because of the large shipments they coordinate and oversee.
When you hire a professional freight forwarder, your shipping costs will typically be lower than those shipped independently because of these connections.
Better Security
When you hire a freight forwarder to handle the logistics of the transportation process, you get peace of mind knowing your shipment is secure. As a business owner, you’ll want authorities to handle your cargo with care to avoid damage to consumers’ products.
Freight forwarders minimize damage and theft, ensuring your shipments are handled using the proper tools and equipment. Besides overseeing the safe physical loading and unloading of your goods, freight forwarders reduce the risk of lost or stolen goods through their services.
They can offer you third-party insurance coverage options to protect your shipment. A freight forwarder also provides freight tracking services so they can keep you updated on your shipment’s location and status.
If you ship fragile items to customers, ask if your freight forwarder offers packaging services. At Asiana USA, we provide Amazon-compliant packaging services to ensure your goods arrive in perfect condition.
Improves Speed and Efficiency of Shipments
Modern customers expect fast delivery. Companies like Amazon have raised the bar, offering same-day and next-day deliveries for many items. If your business is struggling to meet customers’ demands for delivery speed, hiring a freight forwarding logistics company is the solution.
Freight forwarders lean on their experience, contacts, and expertise to find fast and efficient distribution routes while minimizing disruptions, like port delays.
Work With Asiana USA: A World-Class Freight Forwarder
At Asiana USA, our primary focus is to provide high-quality, cost-effective, industry-leading freight forwarding services. As the global industry continues to develop, we offer client-focused solutions to help you save money and improve your delivery times. We handle transportation, administrative, and freight rate negotiations, so you can focus on other aspects of your business.
For a free quote or additional information on our freight forwarding services, give us a call at (855) 500-1808.
