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LAC Team
Why is choosing the best freight forwarding company so important for your import/export business? If you need to ship goods overseas, you have to choose from these two options: You can try to arrange the transport by yourself or you can choose a safer and more efficient method by partnering with one of the best freight forwarding companies in the world.
Choosing a top freight forwarder is the best way to guarantee that your goods will be transported quickly, safely, and worry-free. They will take care of all the details for you and take all the necessary steps to ensure your goods are delivered safely and in a timely manner.
Of course, your expected result depends a lot on whether you can choose a truly reliable logistics partner. Just because someone calls themselves the best doesn’t mean they can offer you the services you expect or need.
Ask yourself these nine key questions. The answers will help you choose the best freight forwarding company for your shipping needs.
1. How many years has this freight company been in business?
You naturally have more trust in a freight forwarder who has been in business for a long time because obviously, they have more experience. But that’s not the only reason. The freight companies that have been providing these services for a while have established business relationships that are very important in this industry.
The best freight forwarding companies with experience can easily bypass any problem, as experience helps in finding a solution. A newcomer to the industry may not be so good at handling obstacles and your shipment pays the price: It is stuck in transit while the carrier looks for a solution. A good freight company:
- Has insurance coverage in the event of an incident where cargo is damaged.
- Has the experience of overcoming obstacles and knowing how to deal with problems that arise.
- Is more likely to make the right decisions and have the right planning tools.
2. What is the reputation of this freight forwarding company online?
Do some research on the background and track record of the freight forwarding companies you consider for shipping your cargo. Make sure to distinguish between reputable review websites and sneaky lookalikes that pretend to collect reviews but in fact exist only for affiliate marketing purposes.
Do not limit your search to the official websites, in fact, you can learn more about the actual performance of the freight forwarder on independent websites such as blogs and forums, where shippers and importers share verified reviews of their own experiences.
3. What about deadlines? Do they keep their promises?
Time is always in short supply in business, and you cannot afford long, unreasonable delays when you are shipping goods overseas. Going forward with a freight forwarding company that cannot meet deadlines or has poor communication about estimated delivery dates can be a very expensive decision, which can be avoided if you carefully approach the selection process.
4. Which modes of transportation is the freight forwarder offering?
Depending on your specific needs and the shipping route for your project cargo, multimodal transportation solutions may be required. It is important to check which freight forwarding companies offer multimodal transportation services, and take advantage of a large network of ocean, air, and trucking carriers before you make a commitment.
This way, you can avoid the stress of having your shipment stuck in a warehouse for days.
5. What are the network connections of this freight company?
The best freight forwarding companies partner with the best ocean, air and trucking carriers, which is why they can fulfill their promises and deliver on time no matter what the distance, the country of origin or the country of destination.
In-depth knowledge of international markets and their specific conditions is an extremely valuable asset that can influence the quality of service.
6. What about their warehouse space, quality and security?
Sometimes it can be necessary to store the goods for a period of time during the journey. That’s why it is important that you select a top freight forwarding company that has sufficient warehousing facilities at its disposal in critical locations.
It is not just about the warehouse space, you will also want to make sure that the warehouse is secure, temperature-controlled, and has proper ventilation. Only the best freight forwarding companies can offer such services.
7. Can they guarantee safe delivery with reasonable shipping times?
In the fast-evolving business world, time is always in short supply, and you cannot afford long delays when you are sending goods over long distances. Freight forwarding companies that offer faster delivery times have a significant advantage and are sometimes worth considering even if their service is relatively costly.
However, if you are comfortable with a longer delivery cycle, you should prioritize other factors, such as shipping costs.
8. What shipment tracking options does this freight forwarder offer?
Container tracking in real-time via GPS technology greatly improves safety and allows the shipper to have complete peace of mind. The best freight forwarding companies in the market almost always offer the option to track and trace your shipments in real-time. So there is no reason to settle for anything less.
Make sure you ask the freight forwarding company whether their containers or trucks can be tracked and what access to the tracking information you get.
9. Are they flexible in pricing and do they offer bulk discounts?
Of course, money is important, especially if you are shipping commercial cargo. But even small amounts of discount add up over time, and when all other factors seem equal, you will always want to take the most affordable freight rates. Many freight forwarding companies offer discounts to large-scale customers. This can provide additional financial ease and tilt the math in your favor.
Don’t choose your freight forwarder based on price alone. The lowest price is never an indicator of the best service. Ask about other customers and try to get references. It can be very informative to use other businesses as references. This will help you make the right decision for your business needs.
Picking and choosing from the best freight forwarding companies in the market can help you save time and money.
Getting your cargo shipped overseas can be a time-consuming and stressful task. For the best result, you need to choose the best freight forwarding company you can find. If you take the time and make an educated choice, you are more likely to get a great shipping experience.
Make sure you are working with a reputable company that has already delivered goods similar to yours and that has prominence for being a reliable company. That way, your cargo will arrive as promised.
