Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read ocean freight forwarder publications

Take a look at the latest hard copy and online ocean freight forwarding publications. Stay abreast of the most up-to-date trends and information in the industry.

I recommend: Check out the latest in ocean freight management news, shipping regulation information, the scoop on mergers and acquisitions, trends in the market as well as business issues from Logistics Management Magazine. While you are there, sign up for a free subscription. World Trade Magazine is another source for the latest source for news on the movement of ocean freight.

Follow ocean freight broker headlines

Keep up with the news affecting ocean freight broker companies. Find out what international headlines impact their businesses and indirectly your own.

I recommend: Track ocean freight shipping international news from Inform. Find out the most current headlines from American Fast Freight.

Use news information straight from the ocean freight broker companies

Some ocean freight forwarding companies offer news and other tips and information right from their sites. Take advantage of the wealth of resources to help you keep up-to-date in your planning and execution of your supply chain.

I recommend: Follow ocean fuel surcharge information from Aloha Freight Forwarders. Find ocean freight rates news from Post, Freight and Carriers.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ocean forwarding costs are expected to go up as well as prices for basic consumer goods in light of increased oceanic pirating. Many coastal waters are rapidly becoming unsafe, and major ocean forwarders have to choose alternate routes, which in turn increases fuel costs.

Guide to Ocean Freight Forwarders

Ocean forwarders can ease the trip by sea

By Michael Berman

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Ocean carriers act as ocean freight forwarders

Many of the major ship lines can handle all of the duties of ocean freight forwarding and specialize in dealing with various countries and ports.

I recommend: Contact the carriers directly and see what ocean forwarding services they provide. For example Atlantic Container Lines (ACL) provides all of the services necessary if you're shipping to Europe. For worldwide ocean forwarding service, including to Europe, the Far East, the Middle East , South America and South Africa, check out Evergreen. Orient Overseas Containerline (OOCL) serves the Far East and Middle Eastern countries, and Hanjin serves Central and Eastern Europe, the Far East and the Mediterranean.

Use an independent ocean freight broker or forwarder

There are tons of qualified freight forwarders that specialize in shipping goods by sea.

I recommend: The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America provides a listing of all of its member throughout the U.S., all of which have to maintain high standards to retain their memberships. A few if the larger forwarders include The American Companies, Blue Water, and Diversified Freight Logistics.

Become familiar with the forwarder's operation

Know what tools your freight forwarder is using to book and track your cargo. Ask him how he books cargo and what transportation companies he uses. If shipments are containerized, can he offer you less-than-containerload (LCL) service, where you share space in a container with another shipper?

I recommend: Freight forwarding services may use research tools such as The Port Import Export Reporting Service (PIERS). They may also utilize links to individual ship line tracking services, such as those offered by Atlantic Container Lines and American President Lines.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure the freight forwarder you use is licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission.
• •  Ask for credit references, and check with carriers to see if the forwarder is financially stable and pays his bills on time.
• •  How large is the forwarder's organization? Does he have overseas offices that can represent you when the cargo arrives?
• •  Check to see if the forwarder has Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and other capabilities to handle documentation and other procedures.
• •  Is the forwarder large enough to provide everything you need including warehouse space and sufficient staff to handle high volume?
• •  The forwarder should also have adequate errors and omissions insurance, in case there's a problem with documentation when your cargo hits its port of destination.
• •  Make sure you use a forwarder that will take the time to explain everything to you before you hire him.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start with the basics on ocean freight forwarders

Find out general information on ocean forwarding before considering it as a means of transportation for your goods.

I recommend: Find ocean freight forwarder information from the Federal Maritime Commission. Look at their frequently asked questions and check out the information on ocean transportation intermediaries such as brokers and forwarders. Find out more about ocean transportation intermediaries from the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America.

Use resources provided by professional ocean freight forwarders

Check out guides and interactive resources provided by professional ocean freight forwarders.

I recommend: Use the interactive guide from World Class Shipping to help you learn about container sizes and specifics. Also take advantage of their many other resources from a blog to document translation to export guides and other information. Unz & Co. offers insightful information on shipping your product overseas. They discuss such topics as packing your products, documentation and insurance.

Look at the services offered by various ocean forwarders

Compare ocean freight broker to broker and see how their services differ along with their pricing. Ask yourself what is the coverage difference for the price differential.

I recommend: Find out about the resource information and services that UPS has to offer. They can help you with both FCL and LCL. GTS can also you an ocean freight forwarding solution. Learn how a company like theirs can take you through the logistics of booking, warehousing, taxes, exporting, importing and more.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you start to narrow down your ocean freight broker choice, ask for a list of references to contact, and don't be afraid to make calls to follow up on those references. You want to ensure that the customers of these companies are happy with their services, their prices as well as their customer service.
• •  Freight forwarders have compliance responsibilities under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Make sure that the forwarder that you are working with is a highly trained professional who has all of the necessary licenses.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Third-party logistics (3PL)

Third-party logistics (3PL) is a hired third party to help a company handle the logistics of their supply chain management functions. This company usually helps with the integrated operations, warehousing and transportation solutions.

I recommend: Keep up on the latest 3PL news and information from 3PLNews.com.

Bonded warehouse

A bonded warehouse is a location where duties are not yet paid on the goods stored. The goods are in the joint custody of the importer (or the agent representing the importer) and the customs officials. Bonded warehouses can be state or privately operated.

I recommend: Take a look at the bonded warehouse capabilities of Advanced Bonded & Customs Services.

Certificate of origin (C of O)

The certificate of origin (C of O) is used by customs in the destination country to control imported goods from particular countries or in order to identify goods that might qualify for special treatment based on international terms.

I recommend: Find out more about certificates of origin from Universal Express International.

Customs broker

Customs brokers help clear goods through customs in the countries from which they are shipping or importing. They help prepare documents, calculate taxes and facilitate communication between all parties involved in the shipping process.

I recommend: Find out more about ocean freight customs broker services from OceanAir Logistics.

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is an independent federal agency that oversees the regulation of ocean freight in the foreign commerce supply process for the US.

I recommend: Visit the Federal Maritime Commission website for more information.

Bill of lading (BOL or B/L)

The bill of lading (BOL or B/L) is documentation issued by the carrier to the shipper stating that the goods have been received for transport.

I recommend: Find out more about ocean freight bills of lading from EXPORT911.