5 Questions to Ask your Freight Forwarder – Infographic
One of the true marks of a successful and competent business owner is how to make the best out of a freight forwarding service. In the world of commerce, freight forwarders are usually the one in charge of facilitating all the transfer and shipping process of certain goods from one place to another.
If you’ve never tried affording a freight forwarding service before, you should be aware that there are several questions that you should ask while contacting a freight forwarder company. Here are five of the most important ones:
Question #1: Do you have any packing services?
Packing services will always depend on the freight forwarding company you hired. Some may offer to seal up your goods as they guide you through the process, while others might not. So, it may not hurt to ask the company first in case you don’t have much time to pack up everything you’ll need for shipping.
Bonus tip: If you’re planning to pack them your own, be sure to do some research on properly packing your specific cargo as it might affect its condition while on board.
Question #2: How extensive is your network?
This is where the competition among freight forwarders comes in: who has the most comprehensive network of connection? Having an extensive network of shipping lines enables a freight forwarding company to give you the best options available as well as providing you the best shipping rates you can surely afford.
Additionally, it also helps with speeding up all of the other client’s requirements and demands.
Question #3: Will I be able to track my shipments?
Once your cargo is currently on its way to the target destination, it is very important to track its condition, location, and the expected time of arrival. In other words, telling this question to your chosen company beforehand gives you the assurance that your goods will always be in good hands.
You can now focus more on planning your other business schedule.
Question #4: What are the specific requirements for the shipping process?
One crucial job of freight forwarders is to make sure that you can complete all of the requirements of shipping as fast as possible. But it might also help a lot if the client is also pretty curious on all of the paperwork that must be taken care of. In fact, it’s more of a self-responsibility than a favor, since import requirements will always vary from country to country.
Question #5: Can I see any of your accreditations?
If you wanted to take a peek on the company’s history, credibility, and reliability, it is your right as the client to be informed about all of the accreditations that company already have. This question is especially useful when you’re still looking on the list of potential freight forwarding companies that you are opting to hire. You can also look at their official website and see all the testimonies and comments from former clients.
Having a freight forwarder’s expertise in keeping your business up and running is definitely a convenient way to avoid all the hassles associated with requirements in both importation and exportation.
Excelsior Worldwide Freight Logistics conduct free orientation for those who are willing to learn. It is our advocacy to share our knowledge & experience worth more than a decade in the business. Visit our website today at www.excelsior.ph to learn more about our service.