What is International Freight Forwarding?
Supply chains are a critical part of your business, as consistent supply chains keep your business supplied with essential products and raw materials to meet your customers’ demands. Many supply chains in today’s global economy involve international routes, as goods and materials travel from one country to another.
This process includes multiple stages of paperwork and tasks that can overwhelm the average business owner. International freight forwarders can be the answer. Let’s learn what international freight forwarding is and how these forwarders can assist your business.
What is International Freight Forwarding?
International freight forwarders are essentially travel agents for your products and materials. Imagine you have a bunch of packages in New York City that need to reach Tokyo. International freight forwarding involves experts who figure out how to get your packages out of the United States and into Japan by determining the fastest, safest, and most cost-effective route.
Your international freight forwarder can also assist in storing and shipping your products and materials, thus giving you the benefit of their expertise. Here are just a few of the ways that international freight forwarders can assist in getting your products and materials into your country:
- Tracking inland transportation
- Preparing shipping and export documents
- Warehousing/Storage
- Booking cargo space
- Negotiating freight charges
- Freight consolidation
- Cargo insurance
- Insurance claim filing
Each of these steps is handled by your international freight forwarder, which helps to ensure that your shipments are not delayed. These companies can anticipate potential bottlenecks so they can route your shipments to avoid them.
Once your shipment arrives at its destination, your freight forwarder ensures all paperwork is delivered to the right individual or department. The beauty of working with a single global freight forwarder or a network of these companies is that they can provide all the international freight forwarding services your business could need.
What Is the Difference Between a Freight Forwarder and a Customs Broker?
The key difference between a freight forwarder and a customs broker is that the CBP must license customs brokers, but freight forwarders do not have similar licensing requirements. Customs brokers also focus on compliance, entry procedures, and financial aspects of your imports. Your international freight forwarding company manages the entire shipping process, including transportation logistics.
Your freight forwarding company might include customs brokers, thus giving them the ability to handle every aspect of the process, from compliance to transportation.
Your business thrives when you can meet your customer demand for specific products. Delays in your supply chain can negatively impact your relationships with customers, who might opt to work with your competitors. Working with an international freight forwarding company can help you avoid delays that could cost your business time and money.
At Atlanta Customs Brokers and International Freight Forwarders, we can provide you with all the services of customs brokers and freight forwarders. With decades of experience, our team is ready to assist you with all importing and exporting, allowing you to maintain a stable supply chain for your company.
Atlanta Customs Brokers is one of the oldest and most trusted customs brokerage and shipping firms in Atlanta. Established in 1985, our company has been a fixture in and around the Atlanta airport and Savannah port for more than 31 years. We enjoy working with our international partners and enjoy what we do. If you are a first-time importer or exporter, or a large corporation, we can handle your needs.