Freight Forwarder

Freight Forwarder

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Freight Forwarder

Freight forwarding is a significant process of coordinating and shipping goods from one place to another either through single or multiple carriers by air, rail, highway or even marine. However, despite its easy supervision, it requires serious coordination, regulation and stern practices agreed upon in order to ensure proper flow of goods in a proficient and timely manner across borders, overseas and even throughout the world. More so, its importance having been recognized first in 1948 in Canada led to the establishment of the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association which has significantly spread to other regions. Therefore, the core aim of this essay is to basically do a comprehensive strategy on how to identify and evaluate a potential freight forwarder.

Comprehensive Strategy to identify and evaluate a Potential Freight Forwarder

Forwarders solely rely on information that has been provided by the exporter and their major role is to arrange and manage transportation of goods. In this case, to identify the best forwarder it is wise to create a requirements list where,

-The freight forwarder ought to have knowledge of and adequate experience in your product, the desired shipment method in your business and destination country.

-Moreover, the freight forwarder ought to demonstrate capability and willingness to clearly communicate consistent status updates and challenges while steadily maintaining records on business transactions and credibility of licenses which would then provide comparative internal audits.

-More so, the freight forwarder ought to have been trained in the United States Department of State and Department of Commerce which includes Bureau and Census in reporting, record keeping, documentation and licensing requirements.

– Consequently, a freight forwarder must have a valid certificate from the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) and have therefore been given authority to file important electronic export information with shipper export declaration.

Depending on the varying business requirements, firms and companies ought to keep their forwarders to a manageable number in that a company ought to choose not more than three to two freight forwarders since managing more freight forwarders calls for more manpower which would likely create problems to the company.

In addition, the company ought to put in place the Power of Attorney (POA) which would efficiently and clearly define the role and responsibilities of each and every authorized forwarder which would eventually lead to a dependable supply chain in business.

How to evaluate a Potential Freight Forwarder

Evaluation process for a freight forwarder involves being in contact and meeting every potential forwarder to gauge their capabilities by maintaining clear communication guidelines ensuring that there is an open dialog with forwarders. In effect, an avenue to discuss of problems in the company and identification of solutions will be possible which would then improve compliance in the company.

Furthermore, a checklist of required documents from the freight forwarder will monitor the forwarder’s accountability which would then ensure that transactions run smoothly in business that would maintain a good compliance rating.

Conclusion

To conclude, freight forwarders have been of great importance to companies as they are the ones who ensure that goods arrive in same condition as they were dispatched and at the same time choose the best method of moving cargo. Moreover, they significantly handle all the required documentation for shipping cargo internationally.

References

Sinkkonen, T. (2001). Identifying Business Processes and Supply Chain Management. Journal of Business Management, 33-8.

Tessa, T. (2006). Strategies to increase profitability with freight forwarders. Journal of Business Management, 24-7.