Ocean Freight Forwarders Basics

Find out the ins and outs of ocean forwarding

When your supply chain solutions require ocean forwarding, count on ocean freight brokers and waterborne transport forwarders and consolidators to help you mass transport your goods across the seas. As you globally transport your ocean freight, you can move just about any size shipment. Both full container load (FCL) and less-than-container-load (LCL) can easily take advantage of ocean freight forwarding service.

Many advanced ocean forwarding companies now even offer tracking options that give you even greater access to your shipment's path along the way.

When making the most of ocean freight forwarders basics:

1. Begin with general information on ocean freight forwarding.

2. Progress to resources provided by professional ocean freight forwarders.

3. Wrap it up by comparing ocean forwarding services.

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

 

• 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.

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