Ocean freight shipping allows United States companies to provide billions of dollars worth of products to American consumers every year. Maintaining a reliable supply chain between Asia and the U.S. requires close communication between importers and exporters as they send and track shipments
Global trade may be a demanding and ever-changing task, but global logistics don’t have to be. Transportation of cargo and customs clearance can be made much simpler with the help of a freight forwarder. Freight forwarders with customs brokerage services can handle international logistics, so you can focus on manufacturing, selling, and customer service.
What is Freight Forwarding?
Freight forwarding includes a variety of services that facilitate door-to-door transportation, including import and export logistics. Coordinating with shipping lines and carriers on the other side of the world is a difficult task, especially for U.S.-based companies without international offices.
Freight forwarders coordinate the transfer of shipments between various carriers and modes of transportation. They can move goods all the way from the seller’s warehouse to yours or can provide services along certain segments of the route. They also help make sure your goods make it out of port warehouses before they start to accumulate demurrage fees.
Although transit times for ocean freight are usually reliable, freight forwarders can assist in rerouting packages when delays or closures occur. The role of a freight forwarder is even more important when the world faces sudden crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Getting the Best Rates
Freight forwarders know how to get the best rate for ocean imports due to their good relationships with carriers. By signing long-term contracts with carriers and shipping in bulk, freight forwarders can pass savings on to their clients.
Plus, freight forwarders know how to avoid shipping during peak international freight seasons, and keep rates as low as possible when items must be shipped during those times. Clients can tap into a wide range of specialized knowledge and get advice tailored to their business and budgetary needs.
Customs Brokerage
Licensed customs brokers can help importers minimize delays by assisting with import and export paperwork. Since the forms required by U.S. Customs and Border Protection vary based on import type and tariff code, it’s easy for importers to make mistakes if they haven’t kept up with the latest regulations.
Customs brokers will know if a particular import requires advance notice or forms to be provided to a particular U.S. government agency. Import authorizations and other specialized requests follow strict deadlines, so customs brokers can work with importers to make sure everything is in order.
Enlisting the help of a licensed customs brokerage service ahead of time is much better than waiting until a delay has occurred. Once an issue arises at customs, shippers may be on the hook for a variety of administrative fees, storage fees, and fines.
Reliable Logistics Services
Asiana USA is your trusted international trade expert. We are an experienced air and ocean transportation intermediary with offices in the U.S., Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam.
Our freight forwarding services can take your business to a new level, streamlining your supply chain so you can rise to any challenge. Contact us today at (855) 500-1808 to learn more about our suite of services.
