Shipping can be a complex undertaking with a lot to consider if it is going to go smoothly. Your choice of freight forwarder can make the difference between a profitable trade experience and one that just ends up being filled with stress and spiralling costs. But how do you choose the right freight forwarder, and what makes one company more suited to your needs than another? Millennium Cargo provides the answers!
Understanding Your Shipping Needs
One of the first key skills in freight forwarding that marks out the professionals from the less cost-effective options, is that of listening and understanding. A good freight forwarder will take the time to get to know all of your business’s specific requirements and ensure they align with the service that can be provided.
This will include:
- Assessing the type of goods to be shipped – Do you have any specific requirements tied to your goods? For example, are they perishable and require refrigeration? Are they oversized? Do they have a high value and require extra security measures? Understanding how the type of goods affects the shipping is key to ensuring the right tailored approach.
- Evaluating the shipping routes – Are you only moving goods domestically, or is there a larger-scale international element? Will the freight be single mode (road, rail, etc.), or would it be more cost-effective and ecologically sound to use multimodal shipping? Worked out well in advance, these considerations can lead to more efficient shipping.
- Ongoing frequency and volume of shipments – If you’re planning repeated regular transit, then deals can be made with shipping companies and advance bookings will help smooth operations and minimise problems.
Different freight forwarders may specialise in individual industries or services, making them a better fit for your company than one with a broader reach.
Experience and Industry Reputation
Experience leads to a smoother process as the problems that crop up have all been seen and dealt with many times before. An experienced freight forwarder with a track record that backs up their reputation will keep issues to a minimum and make the whole undertaking that much easier.
Do a little research and consider:
- Their years in business and experience handling shipments similar to yours.
- Customer testimonials and online reviews.
- Industry memberships (for example, BIFA and FIATA).
- Accreditations, such as ISO9001 for Quality Management Systems.
Global Network and Carrier Relationships
Freight forwarding is all about relationships and partnerships. A strong freight forwarder will be at the centre of a reliable network of carriers and logistics companies worldwide, giving them a position that offers more competitive rates and flexibility with shipping solutions.
Additionally, their established connections with customs brokers in multiple countries will help ensure the smooth clearance of goods once they reach their destination.
Only by being part of a network will a freight forwarder be able to provide a polished and professional process that your company relies on for shipping ease. Millennium works with a comprehensive web of like-minded shipping service providers, ensuring environmentally responsible and modern shipping around the world.
Range of Services Offered
To provide a full cargo solution, freight forwarders need to offer the full range of services that get your shipment to its destination – no matter where that destination is. This means:
- Offering all modes of transportation (air, sea, road and rail).
- Ability to administer customs clearance and support all destination compliances.
- Optional warehousing and distribution options if needed.
- Full consolidation services for cost-effective shipping no matter the shipment size.
Be sure to check that your freight forwarder can take on the whole job and doesn’t just provide a small portion of the service you need.
Transparency and Communication
It’s your cargo, and you need to know where it is at all times. Reliable freight forwarders provide comprehensive real-time tracking through modern technologies that give you the assurances you need regarding your shipment’s location and security.
They will be clear and upfront regarding the costs to you, and there will be no hidden fees or costly surprises. Plus, a good freight forwarder puts their relationship with you at the forefront, with a dedicated point of contact for customer support.
When thinking about how to choose a freight forwarder, consider any attempt to avoid answering questions as a red flag when it comes to doing business with them.
Compliance and Security Measures
As part of your preliminary conversations, verify with the freight forwarder that they comply with all international shipping regulations. Ask about their processes for handling restricted or regulated goods, even if your cargo doesn’t fall into these categories, to get a further sense of their professionalism.
Discuss security, insurance and risk management in depth until you are truly satisfied – you never want a problem to come up, but you need to know that if issues arise, your freight forwarder has done everything expected and required of them.
Cost vs. Value
Cheapest is rarely best. If you want the best service, backed up with expertise and a strong position in the industry, it is going to be more expensive than a corner-cutting company that promises much and delivers only problems.
Consider the value you get from a well-established professional freight forwarder such as Millennium Cargo. We offer:
- Reliability
- Expertise
- Comprehensive ongoing customer support
- Modern tracking technology for improved security and peace of mind
- A strong network of partners
- Fully-transparent pricing
- The experience needed to foresee most issues, and the ability to handle the unexpected
- Compliance with all relevant international and destination country-specific regulations
When it comes to looking after your cargo, you can trust Millennium Cargo to put your interests first. For a cost-effective and reliable global freight forwarding service, contact us today.