What is a freight forwarder?

Everything you need to know about freight forwarding.

There are many moving parts in the logistics business, and with more enterprises relying on shipping, there’s a growing need for a more streamlined process by using a professional freight forwarder.

Freight forwarding is the process of organising the shipment of goods from one location to another, usually through a third-party logistics provider.

Freight forwarders manage the entire logistics process, including the storage, transportation, and customs clearance of goods. They typically use various transportation modes to forward freight, including air, sea, and land.

Services a Freight Forwarder Offers

Working with a freight forwarder such as PM Global Forwarding can take away the hassle of international shipping and offers your business the following services, including:

Preparing all documents necessary for importing or exporting goods

In many cases, shipping involves a significant amount of paperwork. These documents are critical to ensuring that your shipment complies with all regulations and requirements and clears customs without any issues.

A freight forwarding company prepares everything from commercial invoices and bills of lading to customs declarations and insurance certificates so your shipment can arrive on time.

Selecting transportation providers to move the goods to their destination

With international shipping comes multiple transportation options. Freight forwarders choose transportation providers best suited for moving your goods to their destination and handle all the steps of sourcing and contracting transporters.

Negotiating freight charges on behalf of clients

Freight forwarders usually have long-term relationships with carriers established over many years, allowing them to get the best rates for their clients. They strive to find the most affordable shipping options while ensuring that their clients’ cargo arrives at its destination intact.

Consolidating freight for fewer shipments

Importers and exporters of fast-moving goods may order several shipments within a shorter cycle. If you have multiple smaller shipments, a freight forwarding company can consolidate them into one larger shipment, reducing the overall shipping costs.

Managing inventory during the storage and transportation processes

Freight forwarders keep track of your goods as they’re being stored and transported, ensuring everything is accounted for. This service is beneficial if your business handles large amounts of inventory or needs regular tracking.

Filing insurance claims when necessary

There are multiple stages throughout the shipping process, and sometimes things can go wrong. A freight company can help you navigate the often-complicated process of filing insurance claims, so you get the compensation you deserve if something goes wrong.

Types of Freight Forwarding

Freight forwarders offer a range of services, including:

Air freight

Practical if you need to deliver your goods quickly, as it’s generally the fastest way to transport them over long distances. With air freight, forwarders transport your cargo by plane to your destination airport.

Sea freight

A great option if you’re shipping goods in large quantities or aren’t in a rush to receive your goods. Sea freight involves transporting your goods on cargo ships, which can take longer than air freight.

Road freight

Works if you need to transport goods for shorter distances, such as within a city or region. Road freight involves transporting goods by truck and is often the most convenient and affordable way.

Rail freight

A good choice for transporting goods over long distances, mainly if you’re shipping goods across a country or region. Rail freight involves transporting goods by train and can be a more eco-friendly option than other types of transportation.

Types of Freight Loads

Whether you’re looking to ship an entire container of goods or just a portion of one, a freight forwarder offers the following options.

Full container load (FCL)

Suitable for those who need one or more full containers to send their goods.

Less than container load (LCL)

Ideal for those who want to save on costs by sharing a container with other shipments.

Roll-on roll-off (RORO)

Perfect for goods that need to be driven onto a ship, e.g., construction equipment, trucks or new vehicles.

Lift-on lift-off (LOLO)

Excellent for cargo that can’t be rolled on and has to be lifted onto the vessel via crane.

Dry bulk shipping (DBS)

Best for goods loaded directly into a ship’s hull.

Why Choose a Freight Forwarder?

Custom solution for your business

Freight forwarders often offer custom solutions tailored to the specific requirements of their clients. This may involve coordinating complex shipments that require special handling or documentation, optimising supply chain logistics to reduce costs and improve efficiency, or providing additional services such as warehousing, inventory management, and distribution.

Professional expertise

Freight forwarding companies specialise in logistics and transportation and have the knowledge and experience to manage the entire shipping process. They can help businesses navigate complex regulations, coordinate different modes of transportation, and handle any issues that may arise.

Your Cargo, Our Priority

At PM Global Forwarding, we understand that every business has unique shipping needs, so we offer a range of freight forwarding services to simplify the shipping process by organising and facilitating the transportation of your goods to your preferred destination.