The US exports account for approximately 64.35 USD billion on average between 1950 and 2022, reaching a record-high of nearly 261 USD billion in August of that year. The statistic is hardly shocking given the recent observations of the phenomenal expansion of freight forwarding.
What Is Freight Forwarding?
Freight forwarding is the organization and movement of goods from one point to another utilizing one or more carriers through air, sea, rail, or land.
Canada recognized the relevance of freight forwarding for international trade with the establishment of the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association in 1948. The CIFFA recognized that freight forwarding, whether it be by land, marine, rail, or air, required coordination, regulation, and universally acknowledged best practices in order to ensure that commodities move across borders, internationally, and around the world in a timely and efficient manner.
The efficient and inexpensive movement of goods that are maintained in good condition throughout their voyages forms the basis of freight forwarding. In order to accomplish this, freight forwarders develop their expertise in managing the logistics necessary to ensure that goods reach on time. For successful trading and transportation in rapidly increasing international markets, you must have the right tools at your disposal.
By negotiating tariffs and customs regulations and being knowledgeable about the requirements for shipping by land, sea, rail, and air, freight forwarders take advantage of the most recent advancements in information technology to manage the risks and rewards of shipping both nationally and internationally.
Types of Freight Forwarding
Freight forwarders are frequently categorized based on the kind of cargo that they handle. Ocean freight is the term used to describe the movement of commodities over sea. Although big rig trucks are used to move truck freight across the country via land, airplanes are used to convey air freight.
Ocean Freight Forwarding
This type of freight shipping, which is primarily used for international shipping, uses ships and ferries to transfer cargo across oceans. When it comes to transporting huge containers, it is the most conventional and well-established alternative available for both domestic and international travel.
Ocean freight services are typically used to send anything that is too large, expensive, or time-sensitive to be transported by air. The potential for taking longer than other varieties is the only negative. Nonetheless, it is among the most economical ways to carry goods and products.
Air Freight Forwarding
Air freight forwarding is the term for the freight management service that handles cargo during air transportation. Long-distance commodity transportation is handled by freight forwarders, who usually combine multiple distinct modes of transportation. From the moment the shipment leaves one country until it arrives at its destination in a different country, they are in charge of the package.
Air freight forwarding services might comprise shipments such as package delivery, non-machine freight, and machine freight. Products that are frequently carried by air freight include cars, electronics, clothing, food, machinery, and parts for manufacturing.
Truck Freight Forwarding
Truck freight forwarding is a service that focuses on planning the movement of goods between locations by truck. The freight forwarder will use its networks of individual car owners and shipping companies to transport freight from one place to another.
Truck freight forwarding is a specialized service. It therefore frequently relates to certain shipments or commodities. Truck freight forwarders are able to move heavy or temperature-sensitive cargo and commonly use refrigerated vehicles.
Functions of a Freight Forwarder
Freight forwarders represent shipping corporations in the freight industry. By collaborating with freight companies and freight agents, they facilitate cargo transfers. One of their key responsibilities is managing freight on behalf of their client.
- This includes organizing the freight shipment, providing a freight bill, handling customs clearance, and other duties. Another significant responsibility of freight forwarders is the administration of freight claims. Shipments must be examined upon arrival, and any disputes with carriers or consignees must be resolved.
- Freight forwarders are in charge of the auditing services. This also holds true for the metering and weighing of cargo used to convey large or heavy things. Occasionally, freight forwarders will handle both the distribution and storage of goods.
A freight forwarder, for instance, can plan shipping from a producer or importer to the warehouse of a retailer. A freight forwarder will also handle distribution and freight consolidation as needed.
In some cases, the freight forwarder is in charge of handling the shipment documentation. Documents for import/export and customs clearance may also be included in this, depending on the mode of shipment. Freight forwarders make ensuring that freight shipments are packaged and labeled. Moreover, freight forwarders guarantee that goods are carried at the appropriate temperature. They ensure that freight is handled gently to prevent damage or theft.
Freight Forwarding Policies and Regulations
Separate freight forwarders are frequently employed in international transportation to plan the export of a shipment and the import of the shipment in the country of destination. Freight forwarders frequently make agreements among themselves to outsource the arrangements for a certain portion of the transport leg or to consolidate the agreements for the carriage of many consignments to maximize the transport of those consignments.
The national and international rules on the commodities, modes of transportation, and routes must be considered in freight forwarding. Authorities must follow the necessary formalities and procedures.
The FIATA Multimodal Transport Waybill and the FIATA Forwarding Instructions are just a couple of the standardized documents that are published by the International Organization of Freight Forwarders or FIATA.
Conclusion
A freight forwarder is not your "one-stop shop" for all of your transportation needs. Alternatively, many freight forwarders work closely with freight brokers or agents who serve as the businesses' points of contact with clients. This could be advantageous for both parties in terms of pricing and customer support. Also, some smaller shippers may find it more convenient to work with just one company rather than juggling multiple connections at once.
