What is a Freight Forwarder?

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International freight forwarders play an integral part in the transportation process. Freight forwarders act on behalf of exporters in arranging transportation services. Most freight forwarders handle both ocean and air transportation, but usually in separate departments. They are familiar with the import rules and regulations of foreign countries, methods of shipping, U.S. Government export regulations, and documents connected with foreign trade.
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8zMOS5r%q Services--Freight forwarders provide a number of services. At the beginning of a sale, they can provide the exporter with a quotation on:
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%Cn|3Y)u n0h2j -Freight costs;
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-Consular fees;
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-Insurance costs; and (G/z&mr F*U0g6VI {N

FrWyjJ -Freight forwarder's fees. )J#P#z;Z4Q4H7Jq;jL

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This information can be used in the preparation of an accurate price quotation to foreign customers. At the shipper's request, freight forwarders can make the actual arrangements and provide the necessary services for expediting the shipment to its overseas destination. This can include:MO&k5g2b/ub
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-Booking space with the carrier;
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-Completing export documentation;
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OKnC0i kp9Z -Arranging for cargo insurance;

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-Advising on foreign import regulations; @%Y9KIC;l%e

wxp8heJW x -Providing guidance on packaging, marking, and labeling;
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-Arranging for products to be packed and containerized at the exporter's request; and
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Im#v)`Pa -Export clearance. P|5r1AYNj.m'P
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Some freight forwarders are also freight consolidators, but this is not a standard service.Q,]2Y.dW}*^^
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Cost--Freight forwarders operate on a fee basis paid by the exporter. The forwarders' fees consist of an agreed-upon amount, plus documentation charges. The cost for their services should be figured into the price charged to the customer. Freight forwarders also collect a percentage of the freight costs from the carrier.y&p6b1A.~

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Selection Criteria--Every company has its own needs to consider when selecting a freight forwarder. The following list includes a few suggestions of criteria to consider when selecting a freight forwarder:!qnX;p2}O0`
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Q:Is the freight forwarder licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to handle ocean cargo?
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Currently, all ocean freight forwarders in the United States must be licensed by the FMC.
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CYJ&r\pD7`gS:l Q:Is the freight forwarder registered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to deal with international air cargo?*|,n(oZ+~ a Q1] Y
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Being registered with IATA is not a requirement to handle air freight. However, to register, freight forwarders must meet IATA criteria regarding financial and credit standing, physical facilities, professional qualifications, and ethical practice.U.V1S*uS.R

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2F:I"[@hW Q:Is the freight forwarder financially stable?&h&bN8u#kFc4DT
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Ask for credit references, and check them. Check with carriers to see that the freight forwarder has a good payment record. Review a copy of their annual report. If it's a larger company you can check them on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, or Dun and Bradstreet.m.x3D;|K.ju3@

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Q:Does the freight forwarder have a record of customer satisfaction?
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Ask the freight forwarder for a list of satisfied customers, and call them.!G r Pifb1~
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Q:Does the freight forwarder have knowledge of and experience with your product, desired shipment method, and destination country? J%Xo:@_)@0[x
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Product information was collected in the questionnaire, and included in this directory, because many of the calls received from agricultural shippers ask for it. Many companies feel that a freight forwarder experienced with moving their product, shipment method, and destination market will make a better partner. However, responses to the freight forwarder survey indicated that freight forwarders felt that although they did not have prior experience shipping a given product or shipping to a specific destination, they could handle any move, anywhere.K|*~)n%@5xB
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/@f:mQ%{?+K Q:Does the freight forwarder have a network of overseas agents?/~
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oT9Ys0a$r+R Does the freight forwarder have an office in your destination market? Are they agents or owned and operated offices? Do the offices have the ability to communicate with one another on-line?
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yQ#n'ox:Ll([ Q:Is the forwarder large enough--with ample facilities--to handle your business?
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Q:Does the freight forwarder have "errors and omissions insurance"?
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Hp!T zP(p Q:Is the freight forwarder willing to take the time to explain terms and procedures in a way you can understand?

vip you are so strong pZ'~Y z
view your post now i begin to know more about you

it is so wonderful

too good to be true \E6YLUdB-i,N.k
lz`english is so excellent

Many thanks!I get it.

THANK YOU   VIP??????????????[url]WWW.***-INDUSTRY.COM[/url]/Q4g;N&s'ka
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[[i] Last edited by  peter-jetstar at 2006-10-4 18:18 [/i]]

it's good ,and waiting for your futher help!

very excellent! but maybe the title should be "how to choose a freight forwarder?

a good article.

Very good,  I begin to know more about it.

so good, i learn some

thanks for your sharing,very nice

hi ,vip, u have told  us what is the meaning of a freiight forwarder and a customer broker ,and anything else? and all that are ur ideas yourself? i want to say ur posts is very well and ur english is much better! if u have found its resource pls tell me ,and thanks very much!:)

thanks for this message

Reply #9 Qiseviolet's post

hi how r y?

you're so kindly,thank you very much.

Reply #1 vip's post

hehe,it is good!it will benfit for ourselves and our customers!

[quote]Originally posted by [i]pretty62[/i] at 2007-10-11 10:39 [url=http://forum.fobshanghai.com/redirect.php?goto=findpost&pid=3130974&ptid=155605][img]http://forum.fobshanghai.com/images/common/back.gif[/img][/url]$\H4a[g
hehe,it is good!it will benfit for ourselves and our customers! [/quote]
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?'H very good job!:victory:

Your writing is so excellent!

very good article something to learn

couldn't be wouderful:victory:

thanks for this message

A Happy Freight Forwarder

I'm Owning A freight forwarder Company and its the first day in this forum E` EM'Sd
And i'm so happy reading this article
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Great Job Mr. Vip :)

Is that a question or it is an answer to the question!'Y,c7m+Xs%fU6J
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Lol,

excellent envy LZ's english  ^0^$u
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:D

well so long an article. i will read it words by words .   Tks in advande.

[quote]Originally posted by [i]shirley-zhou[/i] at 2007-3-19 17:02 [url=http://forum.fobshanghai.com/redirect.php?goto=findpost&pid=3044695&ptid=155605][img]http://forum.fobshanghai.com/images/common/back.gif[/img][/url]
L]Sm/iV1t very excellent! but maybe the title should be "how to choose a freight forwarder? [/quote]
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How to choose a good Freight Forwarder
/B.Vg,E+r4Q7v;ot&S When you Look in any telephone directory under "Freight Forwarders" and you will see hundreds of listings. But how do exporters decide which freight forwarder is best for their company and their product?
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J Exporters need to choose freight forwarders by measuring them against the following 9 criteria: P4dmT%xG.s~
1) Is the freight forwarder's company big enough to handle your business when the forwarder is away from the office?QO2BC}a
Just because the forwarder is on a business trip or away on vacation, your export efforts shouldn't come to a halt because there's no one to answer questions or handle shipping instructions for your product.
9v2nomb 2) Is the freight forwarding firm stable?E _ s0BK;Hl#P
Has the company "been around" very long? Does it have financial stability? Commercial banks and trade references can help with checking this criteria.
hL7_}-O-^1QPog7o 3) Can the freight forwarder handle whatever product you want to ship, whichever way you want to ship it (air or sea)?2TKx6B7b
the freight forwarder also should be an import broker to handle the customs angle for you in case you need to import something or have goods returned from overseas.u%AC-p&c6`k
4) Does the freight forwarders have a good network of agents overseas, particularly in your target market? What do these agents handle?
$K#ee&D)OD A good network of overseas agents ensures a smooth path for your product with a minimum of delay. This is important for perishable products or ones that need special handling. A container of wine sitting on the dock in a warm country can pose a real hazard to your product's reputation.
n%N5?:f iGK 5) Can the freight forwarder communicate with you as a novice?(j#xR#D$`QO1MR3r"w
Is the freight forwarder willing to take the time to explain terms and procedures in a way you can understand?.Uss
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6) What is the freight forwarder's document turnaround time?
B+E?k}f Is the freight forwarder located near the airport, steamship offices and banks? A strategic location cuts document turnaround time and ensures you get paid quickly via the banks.IPi`-bl
7) Does the freight forwarder have some knowledge of your product?
D {4n x%J'B:h)K3Jm If possible, choose a freight forwarder who has some knowledge of the special needs of your product. If the freight forwarder usually handles only furniture, will the company be attuned to the needs for shipping wine or fresh produce?(^vF1lb ]d%u{/O3M#`
8) Have you checked the freight forwarder's references? It is crucial to check references for any company that will be handling your business. Also check customer satisfaction.
W9v-cKY0t 9) Does the freight forwarder have errors and omissions insurance?
KY'N"D:zN$_ Even the most conscientious freight forwarder can make a mistake. A minor error on documents can delay your product, hurt sales and stall your receiving payment for the goods. Make sure your freight forwarder has "errors and omissions insurance" to provide for just this eventuality.

i have a certificate of internatioal  freight forwarder y2ds#rHW_i7y?cO

6|:u6c:Cy^2NgN i really donot konw the certificate usefull or not

It is good ,thank you!