How to Find A Good Freight Forwarder?

A freight forwarder is someone who helps transport goods from their origin to their destination.

Finding a reliable logistics partner can make a big difference in how the business functions. A freight forwarder has a huge responsibility, which either helps in the uninterrupted flow of business or can lead to the business altogether coming to a standstill. The high level of competition in this field of services is yet another reason why it becomes so difficult to find a good freight forwarder for your business.

Now, follow some good tips and consider certain factors on how to find a good freight  forwarder for your business.

Consider your shipping needs

If you are a business that deals with fragile or perishable goods, then you will need a freight forwarder that matches your requirements. Not all freight forwarding companies are equipped to handle all kinds of products. Unless and until your products are generic, it is necessary to find a freight forwarding company that has a relevant understanding of how to transport your goods. Choose the freight provider after having a valid understanding of your requirements.

2. Find a forwarder with the right experience that matches your needs

Their engagement in the market and the years they have been doing it can vouch for the credibility and quality of their services. And if you are dealing with sending goods abroad, then the freight forwarder that you are hiring should have a fair knowledge of how to deal with customs and other issues in the origin country as well as the destination country. If your products require special handling, the freight forwarder's expertise in dealing with similar products will be the point of reference when it comes to experience. The freight forwarder that you hire should be familiar with best practices in the industry. 

3. Ask them about their network and capabilities

The freight forwarding company of your choice should have some established contacts within the various steps of transportation. Good networking can help you get better rates and handle the necessary paperwork for the transportation process as smoothly as possible. These factors play a major role in deciding the success and failure of the business as well. It will also be appropriate to ask directly about the freight forwarding company’s references, and this will help you evaluate how these connections can help your business.

4. The reputation of the freight forwarding company

When considering the services of a freight forwarding company, the first thing you need to do is look at the reputation of the business in their industry. The reputation of the forwarder can be rightly determined by their online presence and the reviews that they have on Google Reviews and other third-party websites. If they are bad at what they do, there will be either no reviews or a couple of bad reviews. You can also ask for references from the freight forwarders, and reputable forwarders will have plenty of customer references to give.

5. Find out about the customer service experience you can expect from them

It is essential to have good communication with the freight forwarders. You should choose a freight forwarder who can give you the best support when it comes to any sort of query regarding the transportation of goods. Making sure they have a dedicated customer support team is necessary, as you might need information regarding your goods once they have shipped them. Ambiguous answers will not help with your business, as you are responsible for getting your customers' money back regarding the goods shipped. 

6. Pick a freight forwarder that offers comprehensive services

It will not be a wise decision to choose a freight forwarder that only provides you with shipping services. Choosing a forwarder that helps with auxiliary services along with shipping like documentation, warehousing, customs clearance, etc. 

They must assist you with obtaining insurance or inspection certificates, handling customs clearance, notarizing bills on behalf of the shippers, setting up specific equipment if necessary, packaging, and loading, among other things. It is critical to understand what each of your potential freight forwarding companies can and cannot offer.

7. Transparent Pricing Structure

Every freight forwarding company should have a decent understanding of market standards and set prices based on the same. It will be ideal not to go for freight forwarders who do not have any metrics followed while deciding the price structure. You must ensure that the price quote they provided you at the start of the business includes all applicable charges. This will help ascertain that there are no hidden charges or ambiguities in the quote they have put forward.

8. Choose a freight provider that offers cargo insurance

If you find someone with all the qualities mentioned above, the last one would be to look into someone who will provide you with insurance for the goods that have been shipped. Having a freight provider that offers cargo insurance services  ensures that you can be relatively calm and stress-free about the shipped goods . Make sure that the cargo insurance meets your specifications and requirements.

I hope this article will be useful for you to get an idea of how to find a good freight forwarder for your business.

Sohar Shipping has been providing logistics services in Oman and other countries for the last 38 years. Years of experience speak to the trust that our clients have in us. We take the utmost care with your goods and deliver them meticulously and on time. We have a very transparent pricing structure, and our customer service support is available at all times and caters to your needs without any delay.