Freight forwarding: 101

Container feeder ship Tan Cang 15 on the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

What is freight forwarding and why do you need the service? 

Freight forwarding involves many aspects: logistical planning of the route, tracking the cargo at every stage, completing customs documentation, and calculating the most cost-effective solutions. 

Without being experts in this field, it is difficult to go through all the different customs standards for each port, not to forget about insurance, and be able to choose the right option for each type of cargo. 

Who is the freight forwarder?

A freight forwarder is an intermediary between the shipper and the final point of delivery. It's not just one of the links in the chain of delivery of your cargo; it's a person who has a license and a lot of knowledge about the best routes from anywhere in the world and the best rates for you.  

The duties of the freight forwarder in handling cargo transportation include: 

1. Executing appropriate supporting documents; 

2. Oversight of warehousing services and ensuring the required storage conditions; 

3. Developing a route of transportation that is convenient for the customer; 

4. Ensuring the safety of the cargo to be delivered; 

5. Participation in customs procedures at border crossings; 

6. Continuous monitoring of the cargo condition and transportation conditions en route; 

7. Prompt informing the customer about the location of the accompanied cargo; 

8. Provision of door-to-door delivery and confirmed receipt of the cargo by the addressee; 

9. Solution of any related problems arising in the course of cargo delivery from the sender to the recipient. 

Key factors in choosing a freight forwarder 

The exporter should be aware of the following qualities that a freight forwarder should possess:  

Experience. A freight forwarder who has been in the business for many years has encountered various problems and knows how to solve each of them. This will certainly help you in your work. 

Cost efficiency.  Comparing freight forwarders by pricing policy will help you find not only the best but also the most profitable option for you. Logistics is a big part of the cost of exporting, so finding the best-priced agent is very important.

Market reputation and references. Suppose the company you want to choose has a good. reputation, this is a distinct advantage that makes your freight forwarder superior to its competitors. Prompt and efficient customer service and issue resolution are signs of a good freight forwarder. 

So what do you get when you choose Platton? 

1) The best freight forwarding company in Seattle Metropolitan Area. 

2) Individual solutions and calculations for each order. 

3) 24/7 monitoring of the movement of your shipments and giving you the information you need at all times. 

4) Completion of all customs documentation. 

5) Dedicated supply chain engineer that is ready to answer all your questions.