Non-US-Based Air Freight Forwarders

Guide to Non-US-Based Air Freight Forwarders

Worldwide air freight forwarders offer your business international freight solutions
By Nikki Davis

International air freight forwarders solidify the alliance between you and your clients, and they bring your global efforts at commerce to fruition. You can use non-US air freight forwarders to gain access to countries that US based companies may not have access to.

Worldwide air freight forwarders help you navigate customs and entrance of materials into a country that you may not be aware of the regulations. They will work with you to ensure that you have crossed your t’s and dotted your i’s on all paperwork in countries where packages can be held up in customs for days or weeks. Your worldwide air freight forwarders can also help you determine when you need to ship to allow ample time for such customs inspections.

To find quality international air freight forwarders:

1. Go to industry-specific vertical search engines when conducting online searches for international air freight forwarders.

2. Ask around to other vendor friends. Take their advice on reputable international air freight companies.

3. Discuss any questions that you might have up front with potential international air freight forwarding agents.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look at online search engines for air freight forwarders Skip generic search engines like Google. Instead go to industry specific search engines that can give you location specific air cargo freight forwarding information.

I recommend:  Check out Freightnet for continent and country specific international air freight companies. Forwarders.com also has a list covering the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Australasia.

Check out non-US-based air freight forwarders You can easily find country specific air freight forwarders to fit your air shipping needs.

I recommend:  Check out non-us air freight forwarders GBS Freight or Seawing out of the UK, or look at Asiana Cargo out of Korea for various area specific examples. TNT out of the Netherlands is also another international company to consider.

Choose international air freight forwarders with worldwide locations Look into air cargo freight forwarding companies with offices worldwide, not just agents. This will give you more flexibility in flight times, dates and delivery options. This will also help get your merchandise through customs as needed, and they will more likely have a person available to personally go handle a shipping issue or emergency if your package or shipment is detained for inspection reasons.

I recommend:  Non-US-based air freight forwarders like SEKO have offices in over 40 countries worldwide. Burlington Air Express (BAX) has nearly 500 offices in 133 countries worldwide.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Make sure that there will be no language barrier with your air cargo freight forwarding company. You will need to be able to understand them, and they will need to be able to understand your questions or concerns. If they predominantly speak a language with which you are unfamiliar, be sure to make arrangements for a translator on your end or theirs.
• When settling on one of the many air cargo freight forwarders, find out their successful on-time delivery percentage.