7 Freight Forwarding Factors to Remember
Whether it’s local freight or international freight, booking with a shipping company or logistics company can be a tedious task, that is why importers and exporters in Singapore are advised to hire a freight forwarding services representative to act as a liaison. Logistics services involving air freight and sea freight have complicated documentation and inspection processes, so make sure to remember these pointers when partnering with a freight forwarder.
1. Freight Forwarder Qualifications. A freight forwarding company in Singapore will assign a licensed freight forwarder or freight broker to assist you. Make sure that you ask for the experience and qualifications of the logistics services agent and to ask about the process of importing in and exporting from Singapore. The knowledge about the documentation, laws, and customs procedures is crucial because the freight forwarding company will be representing you when negotiating with the shipping company, trucking services, and airlines.
2. Freight Forwarding Documents and Fees. There are different requirements when you engage logistical freightage whether local freight or international freight. Import procedures require knowledge of the dutiable goods, customs procedures and permits, controlled and prohibited goods, trade documents, and depositing of goods. While in exportation, the freight forwarding services must assist the client in completing the necessary permits and documents to book a safe and fast transportation of the merchandise from Singapore.
3. Freight Forwarding Services. There are different requirements for the different free trade ports around the world if you are going for an international freight and various way for the freight forwarder to look for transportation services. You should look for a freight forwarder in Singapore that is right for the type of merchandise you want to import or export. This means that they must have connection with various logistics company, airlines, shipping company, and trucking and delivery services in and outside Singapore. Some of the best freight forwarding companies have years of experience in working with various clients.
4. Selection of Transportation. The mode of transportation may not be limited to one type. The freight forwarder must pick the best option that is available to get the merchandise to its destination safely and on time. But the selection of transportation will also depend on the airline and ocean carrier schedules, fuel cost, capacity, freight volume, regulations, and others.
5. International Freight Handling. International freight requires connections with various logistics services companies for both air freight and ocean or sea freight. Air freight is slightly expensive but is the fastest and safest option for the transportation of goods. Sea freight, however, can handle more types of cargo and is cheaper than air freight.
6. Partners and Affiliates. When it comes to international freight, the freight forwarding company must have connections outside of Singapore to ensure that the merchandise pass the customs inspection. This can be arranged by the consignee or receiver and arrange a freight forwarder to receive the merchandise. If this is the case, then the freight forwarder must have the flexibility to meet the arrangements.
7. Freight Forwarding Process. Freight forwarding, specifically international freight, has seven major processes. You can easily monitor the process by keeping in mind the following sequence: export haulage, export customs clearance, origin handling, import customs clearance, destination handling, import haulage, and delivery.