Getting the Best Rates from Your Freight Forwarder
Many businesses today, such as those that specialize in importing and exporting goods, seek the help of a skilled freight forwarder in order to ensure a seamless and hassle-free transportation process. The reason behind the popularity of freight forwarding services lies in the fact that most products, especially the imported ones, are prone to damages and late arrivals. On top of that, transporting goods can be a time-consuming process, with a list of requirements to be submitted to the customs authorities for legal purposes. All of these issues can be solved by hiring a freight forwarder who can take over the duties of complying specific customs requirements, as well as tracking the condition of the goods in real-time.
If you are a business owner looking for a freight forwarding service, the first thing you must consider is your preferred budget. Costs for freight forwarding services may vary depending on the company, and surely enough, the best services often demand a higher price. However, there are some tricks of how you can increase the odds of getting the best rates while negotiating with your chosen freight forwarding agency:
Always Plan Your Shipments
When it comes to booking shipments, freight forwarders are usually fine in accomplishing some last-minute requests, though it might indicate that they have to use their connections to keep the cargo moving, which may require a higher fee. Planning your shipments can help you to notify your freight forwarding agency ahead of time, allowing them to complete all of the requirements without any pressure, potentially minimizing your expenses in the long run.
Learn How to Consolidate Shipments
Consolidating your shipment comes with many benefits, and one of them is affordability. Try to do some research about the difference between FCL (Full Container Load) and LCL (Less Container Load). Some businesses that transport goods in lower quantities often choose LCL because it is way cheaper than FCL.
You can read more about the pros and cons of LCL here.
Consider Your Shipments’ Transit Time
Transit time is an important factor that directly affects a freight forwarding service. For instance, if you want your goods to be transported at the earliest time possible, you might need to book an air shipment, which will cost you a lot. Other intermodal methods, such as ocean carriers, can offer a lower price in exchange for a longer transit time. Let your freight forwarding agency know about your current projects and plans so that they can provide you with expert advice regarding your available options in terms of carriers and see what suits your budget.
Excelsior Worldwide Freight Logistics conducts 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.
Sources:
https://www.interlogusa.com/answers/blog/get-best-rates-freight-forwarder/
https://www.kingbrostransport.com/benefits-of-hiringfreight-forwarder