What You Should Look for in a Freight Forwarding Company

Your decision to choose a Logistics Provider (commonly referred to as a Freight Forwarder) entails an
understanding of what a shipping business has
to offer and what your needs are.

Basically, there are four categories of freight forwarders:

• International air freight IATA (International Air Transportation Association) agent
• International air freight consolidator
• International ocean freight forwarder
• International ocean freight consolidator (NVOCC)

Rather than limit itself to a single category, U.S. Worldwide Logistics, Inc. is a full service shipping company that handles all aspects of the 4 categories of freight forwarders listed above.

Your shipping needs will indicate the level of service you require from your freight forwarder. Needs to consider include:

1. How much handling of your freight will need to be done by the freight forwarding service?

To determine this you will need to assess your knowledge regarding the varying shipping requirements demanded by governmental agencies both U.S. and foreign when exporting and importing freight. Container type, dimensions, classifications and construction are strictly stipulated in many cases. While requesting freight handing services such as packing and transporting will add to the expense of your freight, it is often necessary to hire an experienced freight forwarder to do it correctly. Incorrect packing can lead to fines, loss of product, damaged product, seizures by governmental agencies and delays in your business.

2. What type and level of documentation is required?

Again, your knowledge of the shipping industry and the red tape that can strangle your shipping needs is your determining factor. While designating someone within your company to handle the shipping paperwork is a possibility, the chances are that he or she will be limited in their training and will not be able to follow the international paper trail blazed by all shipments. In this situation, using a freight forwarding company that is knowledgeable in national and international documentation can be invaluable to you.

3. How much experience does a freight forwarding company have?

This is a given, but sometimes we do forget “buyer beware.” Five years or less of International shipping experience is considered “Young” in the shipping industry. It doesn’t mean that you may not get good service from
a “young” company, but what it does mean is that it may lack the experience gleaned from mistakes and acts of God weathered by older established shipping companies.