| Choosing an international freight forwarder is crucial | | | | An established freight shipping company will have a |
| to the ultimate success of any business that has to | | | | good network of people with whom they deal and |
| import or export cargo on a regular basis. The last | | | | from whom they can call in favours in order to get |
| thing any business needs is for shipments to be late, | | | | your shipments sent and delivered on time. |
| get lost or arrive in poor condition. The only way to | | | | Finding our whether the international freight |
| ensure that your shipping needs are met is by hiring a | | | | forwarders on your list have brokering services is |
| competent freight shipping company best suited to | | | | also a good idea because if the freight shipping |
| your needs. Whether your firm is just starting up, | | | | company you hire can also clear your shipment |
| branching out into a new sector or simply looking for | | | | through customs, then you will not have to hire a |
| new freight forwarders with whom to do business, | | | | separate customs broker to take care of that |
| there are some very important questions that need | | | | aspect of your shipping needs. |
| to be answered before you can tell if you are a | | | | Hiring an international freight forwarding provider who |
| good match. | | | | also has experience dealing with your type of cargo |
| The first question you should likely ask is whether | | | | is also a good idea as they will know exactly what |
| their company will be able to handle the shipping load. | | | | kind of special issues such cargo might have and how |
| If the freight forwarder is small, then it might not be | | | | best to deal with anything that might come up. |
| able to handle more than a certain number of | | | | Lastly, are you comfortable with the agent assigned |
| shipments per month and if your company's | | | | to you by your international freight forwarder? Can |
| requirement exceeds that number, then your | | | | you communicate easily with the person in charge of |
| business will suffer. So, finding an international freight | | | | your account? If not, then you should definitely ask |
| shipping supplier that can handle your volume of | | | | for a new agent and if they are unable to provide |
| shipments is essential. | | | | you with one, then you should take your business |
| The next thing to find out about any potential | | | | elsewhere. As freight forwarding is such an important |
| international freight forwarders on your short list is | | | | part of any business, it is imperative that you feel |
| how long they have been in business. It is best to | | | | comfortable with and are able to talk to the person |
| choose an established company because newer | | | | handling your account. Unless you are able to talk |
| international freight forwarders will not have as large | | | | freely and feel that you are getting the kind of |
| a network of agents, shipping companies and other | | | | attention that you need, then take your business |
| contacts with whom they can coordinate shipments. | | | | somewhere else. |