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A freight forwarder is a company or individual that acts as an intermediary to facilitate the export process, delivering goods to the end customer.
As a third party, a freight forwarder manages the entire logistics process, from the administration and transportation selection to distribution.
Choosing the right freight forwarding service is crucial to ensure efficiency, safety, and timeliness of delivery. You can avoid the wrong service provider by understanding the following points first.
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International freight forwarders focus on cross-border freight forwarding thanks to their extensive global network and understanding of international regulations (customs, import-export licenses, and safety standards).
In contrast with the international one, domestic freight forwarders specialize in goods delivery within the country. This service is better equipped for handling local routes and ensuring timely delivery.
The last type is specialized freight forwarders, for delivering special goods, such as dangerous materials, oversized cargo, or items requiring specific shipping conditions. This type of freight forwarder ensures safe delivery of goods that comply with the regulations.
Despite their diverse advantages and characteristics, they generally have the same duties and responsibilities.
Freight forwarders must be able to choose the most efficient mode of transportation, whether by land, sea or air. They are also responsible for ensuring the compliance of all administrative matters with the regulations, especially in cross-border shipping.
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Freight forwarders also provide cargo insurance to protect the value of goods during shipping. Some of them even have technology-based tracking systems, allowing for real-time shipment monitoring.
When choosing a freight forwarder, you need to ensure the service provider is a professional and experienced partner. It comes with some key features you should know. Find out more below.
Experience in serving large corporations or companies of comparable size
You can look for reviews and testimonials from previous clients and check whether the freight forwarder has international certifications, such as FIATA or IATA.
For large projects with international shipping, ensure the service provider has a global network for handling customs documents, as well as compliance with import-export regulations and related procedures in other countries.
Fleet that suits your needs
Reliable freight forwarders usually operate a robust fleet, from cargo ships to specialized trucks. You also need to ensure their capability to handle special types of cargo, such as hazardous materials, oversized items, or goods requiring temperature-controlled storage.
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Comprehensive facilities
A professional freight forwarder must have a comprehensive range of facilities such as warehouses, transportation fleets, and advanced technologies to handle large-scale projects. The company must also have competent teams to handle complex logistics issues.
Communicative and responsive
Ensure the freight forwarder has around-the-clock customer service to help resolving any problem. In addition, you can ask them to make a transparent cost breakdown, which includes any extra fees that may arise.
You need a reliable logistics company that can offer professional freight forwarding services to meet your needs. One of the service providers that could be a good choice is SELOG, a business line of PT Serasi Autoraya (SERA).
SELOG offers 2 freight forwarding services, serving domestic and international destinations. Supported by comprehensive facilities—such as warehouses, trucks, and roll-on/roll-off vessels—SELOG is dependable for managing the entire logistics process of your business, from storage to shipping.
Besides freight forwarding, with over 20 years of experience, SELOG provides comprehensive and end-to-end logistics services. They include Trucking, Shipping Services, Warehousing, and Project Cargo.
Moreover, SELOG’s services are supported by the latest digital technology, which is not only convenient but also effective and efficient for businesses, including the Astra Fleet Management Solution (AstraFMS) and Warehouse Management System (WMS).