freight forwarder international Archives - Excelsior Worldwide Logistics Corp.

Tips when Working with a Freight Forwarder

excelsior on May 14, 2023

Working with a freight forwarder international has been a crucial part of exporting products to various ports worldwide for many years. This allows exporters to have third-party support that can handle the consignments when they arrive at their destination. There are also freight forwarders that act as a customs brokerage firm as they assume responsibility for managing clearances on behalf of the shipper.

However, despite being a vital part of the global trading process, many exporters fail to build a healthy working relationship with their international freight forwarding provider. This usually led to price fluctuations, delays in procurement, and details getting overlooked. A solid connection with a forwarder provides several benefits, including lower freight rates that shippers might not secure on their own.

Here are some tips you can consider if you want to start partnering with an international freight forwarding company or improve your connection with them.

· Ensure Proper Communication

The most crucial part of working with freight forwarders is ensuring effective communication throughout the shipping process. You can communicate your priorities and possible future projects to help the forwarders make the process more efficient. In addition, you can also communicate any potential negative experiences with previous forwarders, as it can help build a healthy relationship with your new freight forwarder.

Communicating about the expectations, responsibilities, and projects will make the shipping process more manageable than usual. This will also allow both sides to collaborate on particular issues that might arise during transport.

· Pay On Time

One of the most significant issues faced by freight forwarders for years is late payments. This leads to them having problems paying their own vendors and creditors, which can further delay shipment. This is why exporters must pay on time, enabling them to have a good credit relationship with their freight forwarder. Payment overdue jeopardizes the entire shipping process and can lead to forwarders ending their relationship with the exporters.

· Avoid Cramming Shipments

Transporting shipments takes many things to be successful, which is why it is vital that you plan it in advance. Only giving yourself a few days to have the shipment out will lead to various complications. This includes difficulties in finding vessel space and shipment booking. This will also result in more expenditure due to delayed container use.

· Understand Export Compliance

Another crucial thing to do when exporting products is to ensure you properly understand the requirements to transport your product. For example, you must accurately classify what items you are shipping. You should also know the requirements when labeling the cargo and the paperwork required for your goods. This can help forwarders properly tender shipments and ensure they arrive at their destination without complications.

· Focus on Long-Term Goals

If you are looking to expand your business in the future, it is vital that you consider your freight forwarders as a part of your logistics team. You should not only see them as a third-party service that provides the lowest prices, as this can result in a challenging situation. Making them a part of your internal team will allow you to develop a healthy connection with them, helping you get competitive prices and faster transport speeds.

Conclusion

With freight forwarding expected to be more crucial in the succeeding years, exporters must be able to find a freight forwarder that they’ll be confident working with for a long time. Building a healthy relationship can be a game-changer for many exporters, enabling them to reap several benefits that make shipping cost-effective and faster than usual.

And if you are looking for the best freight forwarder in the Philippines for all your transport needs, then Excelsior Philippines is for you. We have been in the industry for more than two decades, providing our clients with peace of mind that their shipments will arrive at their destination safely. To learn about our services, contact us by visiting www.excelsior.ph/contact-us or calling (+632) 8525-9775.

International Freight Forwarding Trends for 2023

excelsior on January 14, 2023

With the new year well underway, several enterprises are trying to do everything they can to keep up with the latest trends in their respective sectors. This includes every international freight forwarding company that will leverage new technologies to keep up with the ever-changing demands on how goods will be transported around the globe.

This year will bring unique challenges to the international freight forwarding industry. From the new COVID-19 outbreak in China, several geopolitical issues, and the continuous rise in prices, every freight forwarder international firm will need to adapt to changes to survive. To get ahead of the curve, learning about the possible trends in the industry can help freight forwarders become more flexible with their operations.

Freight Forwarders to be More Prepared

There were many issues in 2022 that challenged the freight forwarding industry, such as the Russian-Ukrainian war, the Suez Canal obstruction, and the continual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. These events resulted in a massive disruption in the global supply chain and firms suffering billions in losses. This year, international freight forwarders are expected to be readier when facing unexpected events disrupting the supply chain.

Data collection and analysis have been more efficient in 2022, and freight forwarders are using this technology to make accurate predictions of what will happen in the next year. This will allow them to promote resiliency in their operations and be more agile, flexible, and visible in the market despite adverse situations.

Mergers and Acquisitions will Continue

The pandemic has brought growth and revenue to the transportation and logistics industry. This enticed various private equity firms looking to put their money into fast-growing sectors. And although mergers and acquisitions (M&A) slowed down recently, experts project that they will continue in 2023.

The war in Ukraine, new COVID variants, equipment shortages, and supply chain disruptions resulted in some of the major players in the industry trying to acquire more businesses to leverage the supply chain. M&A will allow them to expand their services and potentially optimize the workforce.

Sustainability will be a Key Goal for Forwarders

A Sustainable Freight Buyers Alliance report said that freight transport is responsible for 8% of the world’s CO2 emissions. And this is projected to increase to 42% by 2050. To prevent this, freight forwarders can opt for more sustainable products and practices to help the logistics industry become more environmentally friendly.

By asking for and buying products that are good for the environment, freight forwarders and shipping lines can help move the dial and reduce emissions. They can also promote green practices and technologies that can make the supply chain more efficient, effectively boosting sustainability in the sector.

International Freight Forwarders Will Go Digital

The logistics industry, like other fields, has also undergone a digital transformation in recent years. And in 2023, it is expected that more forwarders will use modern solutions to transport goods and reduce paperwork in the freight forwarding process.

Freight forwarders can also measure supply and demand more accurately, improve efficiency, and automate simple tasks by transforming their operations. This will also allow their employees to work remotely, which is still seen as the norm this year.

Conclusion

By keeping up with these trends, freight forwarders can stay competitive in the market despite various disruptions. This can also be an excellent opportunity for further growth and advancements in the field, allowing them to remain engaged in improving their services for their customers.

If you are looking for the best freight forwarding company in the Philippines, then Excelsior is for you. With almost 20 years in the industry, you can guarantee that Excelsior has everything you need regarding logistics. Our mission is to ensure that your shipment will arrive at its destination safely.

If you have inquiries, contact us at (+632) 8525-9775 or email us at wecare@excelsior.ph. You can also visit our website for more information about our services.

A Guide to the International Freight Forwarding Process

excelsior on December 15, 2022

Import and export of goods via trade is the heart of every economy in the world, which is why international freight forwarding organizations are some of the most importance firms around. International freight forwarders closely work with sellers and buyers in different countries to make sure that goods get where they need to go.

International freight forwarding companies act like the middlemen of the trade, helping both sides ensure the success of shipping. They strictly follow freight forwarder international standards which helps guarantee that the goods will be delivered on time. So, if you are a merchant or consumer that wonders how freight forwarders work, here is a step-by-step guide to help you out.

Stage One – Export Haulage

Export haulage is the process when an exporter moves their cargo to the freight forwarder’s warehouse. The forwarder use trucks or trains are used to move the cargo and might take a few hours to a couple of weeks depending on the location and other external factors.

Stage Two – Checkpoint

Checkpoint is the process of checking goods for damages or irregularities. When the export haulage stage is over, the freight forwarders who are getting the goods will check the shipment to make sure that the goods aren’t damaged in transit.

Stage Three – Export Customs Clearance

Every cargo requires clearance from the country of origin before being transported to another nation. Custom brokers do this by submitting details and supporting documents about the cargo. If a freight forwarding company does not offer this service, it is required to find a third-party customs broker service to help with the process.

Stage Four – Import Customs Clearance

The country where the shipment is going has to check the import customs documents once the shipment gets there. The freights forwarder or the customs broker chosen by the shipper can get this done before the cargo arrives as doing so can expedite the next steps of the shipment.

Stage Five – Destination Arrival and Handling

This is the stage where the cargo finally arrives and is taken care of by the freight forwarding company. Once the cargo arrives, international freight forwarders will receive documentation about the shipment from the office at origin. Here, the shipment is also transported to the forwarder’s warehouse before getting delivered or picked up by the buyer.

Stage Six – Import Haulage

This operation moves the merchandise from the warehouse to the intended receiver’s final location. Freight forwarders usually help deliver the merchandise to the shipping address. However, the consignee can also choose to pick up the shipment directly from the warehouse should they wish to.

How do Freight Forwarders Work?

Many people would think that freight forwarders have planes or ships they use to transport cargo vessels. However, this is not always the case. Instead, these companies simplify the process for both importer and buyer as they act like the main point of contact for these people throughout the shipment process.

The freight forwarder takes care of all the details of the shipment from start to finish. This includes tracking the arrival of the cargo ship and getting in touch with trucking, airline, or shipping companies to make sure the shipment is picked up and delivered on time. The freight forwarding partner handles all of these details and tells clients what they need to know.

Deliver Your Goods Using an Experienced Freight Forwarder

Excelsior is an international freight forwarder with 20 years in the industry. Our company is present in across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and will make sure that your cargo is being transported at the right time safely whether by land, air, or sea. If you want to have your goods delivered by professionals, you can contact us at (+632) 8525-9775 or visit our website at https://excelsior.ph.