"A freight forwarder, or forwarding agent, is a person or a company who, for a fee, organizes shipments for the shipper."
The process of arranging the shipment of goods from one point to another through a third-party logistics provider.
Modes of transportation: Understanding the different modes of transportation such as air, sea, rail, and road, their advantages, and limitations.
Freight documentation: Familiarizing oneself with the different types of documents involved in freight forwarding like bills of lading, air waybills, commercial invoices, and packing lists, and how to complete them correctly.
Freight rates and pricing: Knowing how to calculate freight rates, understand carrier pricing structures, and access rate quotation systems.
Customs clearance: Understanding the role of customs in the freight forwarding process, including the procedures for import and export clearance.
Incoterms: Familiarizing oneself with the international commercial terms and their implications on the freight forwarding process.
Insurance: Understanding the different types of cargo insurance available and how to choose the right one to suit an individual's specific needs.
Freight consolidation: Learning how to consolidate multiple shipments from different customers to optimize efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Supply Chain Management: Understanding the supply chain and the factors that affect it, including risk management, inventory control, and lead time management.
Carrier selection: Knowing the factors involved in selecting a carrier, including reliability, cost, and service quality.
Freight regulations: Understanding the different regulations and laws that govern the freight forwarding industry in different countries, including licensing and operating requirements.
Air Freight Forwarding: This involves the transportation of goods by air, typically using commercial airlines or air freight carriers.
Ocean Freight Forwarding: This involves the transportation of goods by sea, typically using cargo ships or freighters.
Road Freight Forwarding: This involves the transportation of goods by road, typically using trucks or other types of vehicles.
Rail Freight Forwarding: This involves the transportation of goods by rail, typically using freight trains.
Intermodal Freight Forwarding: This involves the use of multiple modes of transportation, such as air, sea, road, and rail, to transport goods.
Project Cargo Forwarding: This involves the transportation of oversized or heavy cargo, such as machinery and equipment, that requires specialized handling and transportation.
Hazardous Materials Forwarding: This involves the transportation of dangerous goods, such as chemicals, explosives, and radioactive materials, that require special handling and transportation.
Cold Chain Logistics / Perishable Goods Forwarding: This involves the transportation of temperature-sensitive goods, such as food, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies, that require special handling and transportation to maintain their quality and integrity.
Time-Sensitive Freight Forwarding: This involves the transportation of goods that require fast and on-time delivery, such as medical supplies, perishable goods, and urgent shipments.
Customs Clearance & Compliance: This involves managing the customs clearance process and ensuring compliance with customs regulations and requirements for international shipments.
"A forwarder does not move the goods but acts as an agent in the logistics network."
"A forwarder organizes shipments for the shipper by liaising with carriers."
"The carriers can use a variety of shipping modes, including ships, airplanes, trucks, and railroads."
"Yes, carriers often use multiple modes for a single shipment."
"For example, the freight forwarder may arrange to have cargo moved from a plant to an airport by truck, flown to the destination city and then moved from the airport to a customer's building by another truck."
"International freight forwarders typically handle international shipments and have additional expertise in preparing and processing customs documentation and performing activities pertaining to international shipments."
"Information typically reviewed by a freight forwarder includes the commercial invoice, shipper's export declaration, bill of lading, and other documents required by the carrier or country of export, import, and/or transshipment."
"The FIATA shorthand description of the freight forwarder as the 'Architect of Transport' illustrates the commercial position of the forwarder relative to its client."
"In Europe, some forwarders specialize in 'niche' areas such as rail-freight, and collection and deliveries around a large port."
"Modern freight forwarders offer an end-to-end process, i.e., shipping the goods from the place of origin to the final destination."
"Together with Freight Tracking Technology, freight forwarding agents can view real-time freight information."
"A freight forwarder, or forwarding agent, is a person or a company who, for a fee, organizes shipments for the shipper."
"A forwarder does not move the goods but acts as an agent in the logistics network."
"International freight forwarders typically handle international shipments and have additional expertise in preparing and processing customs documentation."
"The carriers can use a variety of shipping modes, including ships, airplanes, trucks, and railroads."
"Carriers often use multiple modes for a single shipment."
"Information typically reviewed by a freight forwarder includes the commercial invoice, shipper's export declaration, bill of lading, and other documents required by the carrier or country of export, import, and/or transshipment."
"The FIATA shorthand description of the freight forwarder as the 'Architect of Transport' illustrates the commercial position of the forwarder relative to its client."
"Together with Freight Tracking Technology, freight forwarding agents can view real-time freight information."