How does a freight forwarder help companies?

Moving goods from the place of production to the place of consumption using the different modes of transport is a complex process. It is known as freight forwarding. In carrying out this process, the freight forwarder takes part in a wide and varied range of activities. Find out from this Honexpres article how a freight forwarder helps companies!

How does a freight forwarder help companies?

The freight forwarder can provide traders with assistance, advice and services that are useful to companies both before the goods are transported and during the transport:

• advice on establishing a route and a mode of transport with the best efficiency-cost ratio;
• consultancy on compliance with domestic and international transport rules and regulations (the INCOTERMS rules);
• guidance on choosing the most suitable means of transport for each type of goods to be transported;
• commercial assistance with the preparation, packing and labelling of the goods to be shipped;
• establishing the optimal routes for each individual transport;
• drawing up and completing the formalities for insuring the goods against the risks that may arise during transport;
• drawing up the documents and formalities for the dispatch and transport of the goods for international transport (consignment notes, bills of lading, FIATA documents, instructions, dispatch notes, etc).

By using a freight forwarder, companies outsource their logistics and transport services. In this way, they benefit from:

• the possibility of making significant savings (they do not need a competent permanent employee to deal with documentation and organisation, turning to a freight forwarder only when they need one),
• advice on choosing the best transport option,
• the extensive experience of a freight forwarder both in organising the transport in the best conditions and in quickly resolving any problems that may arise during transport,
• the assurance that the goods are collected, transported and delivered in accordance with the requirements stipulated in the contract.

Related services offered to companies by freight forwarders

A freight forwarder can also offer the following services that are useful to companies:

• organising the dispatch of goods as groupage;
• drawing up the documents and completing the formalities for the customs clearance of the goods (customs brokerage);
• tracking the movement of the goods en route and promptly notifying those concerned of the status of the transport (traceability);
• temporary storage of the goods and the performance of logistics services such as: sorting, pre-packing, labelling, marking, stock management, etc;
• escorting special transports (oversized goods, goods subject to special speed restrictions, etc),
• insuring the goods during transport.

In practice, a freight forwarder mediates between the company sending the goods and the carrier, on the one hand; and between the carrier and the company that is to receive the goods, on the other. The freight forwarder makes sure that the whole process of loading, transporting and delivering the goods runs smoothly, regardless of whether we are talking about domestic or international transport.

Honexpres – complete freight forwarding solutions

Honexpres is an experienced freight forwarder. We offer complete freight forwarding services and make sure your goods arrive safely and quickly, anywhere. We have the connections needed to organise any kind of domestic or international transport. We also offer the complete package of related services you need, plus professional advice. Your business is in good hands with Honexpres!

Photo sources: logitudeworld.com, forwarder-university.com