A freight forwarder is an agent responsible for the movement of goods on behalf of the cargo owner. They play an important role in the transportation industry by helping companies streamline the process of shipping goods. The primary role of a freight forwarder includes:
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Navigating the Freight Industry Network: Freight forwarders have the skills and expertise to navigate the freight forwarding regulations and the process, which is integral to ensuring successful delivery and shipment.
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Advising the Clients: Freight forwarders can offer expert advice to the exporter on various logistics-related expenses incurred during the process of exports. They can also advise exporters on legislation affecting international trade, political situation and unrest, and other factors that may affect the shipment of goods.
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Warehousing Management: Some freight forwarders might have separate space available to provide warehousing services or harbor the commodities of a shipper, or commodities’ parts. They can also arrange a warehouse storage space that’s operated and owned by a conveniently situated affiliate.
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Preparing Documents: Freight forwarders can act as a common carrier and prepare documents such as the bill of lading, airway bill, etc. They can liaise with overseas customs agents to ensure that the goods and documents comply with local customs regulations.
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Tracking and Troubleshooting: Freight forwarders can track the real-time transit of the goods and troubleshoot if required. They can minimize issues efficiently with a transportation management system or customized freight forwarding software.
In summary, the primary role of a freight forwarder is to ensure the successful and safe distribution of products from the beginning location to the final destination, while taking into consideration the many factors that affect shipments.
