| Whether you have a large business or a small one, | | | | forwarders should also have the contracts in place |
| almost every company that produces product will | | | | with shipping companies that can handle bigger |
| need to ship it internationally at some point in time. | | | | shipments. If you have product of this type that is |
| It's not something that you're likely to be able to | | | | not perishable then you may want to talk to them |
| handle yourself. Even if you could, it is not usually the | | | | about options for shipping containers that will travel |
| most cost effective option. At some point you will | | | | by sea. |
| need to contract with international freight forwarders | | | | Talk to potential international freight forwarders |
| that can handle every aspect of the shipment of | | | | about their knowledge and ability to handle customs |
| your goods or products. | | | | questions. The last thing that you want to have |
| International freight forwarders will need to work | | | | happen is to see your shipment held in storage at |
| with partners in different countries to handle every | | | | customs while somebody tries to figure out the |
| step of your product's journey. Because it will not be | | | | paperwork. It may be helpful to develop a series of |
| handled by one company alone, you will need to | | | | questions that you can ask a freight forwarding |
| ensure that the company have a service agreement | | | | company that you plan to use that relate to the kind |
| that will cover the actions of any partners that they | | | | of shipments that you'll be sending along with the |
| use. There is simply no way that you can leave it to | | | | nature of the shipments. There may be certain |
| chance and hope that the trucking company in | | | | goods or products that need to be put into |
| another country is going to handle your shipment | | | | quarantine when they reach the destination country |
| safely and quickly. You need to know that this | | | | and the company should be aware of anything that |
| company will take responsibility. | | | | might come up. |
| Talk to the company that you're thinking about | | | | When you are dealing with other companies |
| dealing with regarding the different options they can | | | | internationally, you need to know that you can talk |
| provide for you. You may need to send shipments of | | | | to international freight forwarders at any hour of the |
| different sizes and ones that have important time | | | | day. Go over the service level agreement carefully |
| frames. If you have smaller shipments that need to | | | | and make sure that there is somebody you can talk |
| get there fast, you should make sure that | | | | to if you have questions or if you need to track the |
| international freight forwarders can provide you with | | | | progress of your shipment. You will often have a |
| air freight options that are fast but not so expensive | | | | client on the other end that is waiting so you don't |
| that they will cause you to lose all of your profits. | | | | want to be delayed by these forwarders that don't |
| Your heavy or large shipments may be best | | | | have the necessary infrastructure in place to answer |
| transported by sea freight and international freight | | | | your questions. |