1. Collect information about freight forwarders
Trading companies are potential customers of freight forwarders. As long as the staff of trading companies consult, the freight forwarders will explain patiently.
Through communication, trading companies will learn about the main business scope of freight forwarders, the routes they are engaged in, and other related information.
2. Make a comparison
After collecting information about freight forwarders, we mainly look at the advantages of their operating routes, prices, and service levels. There are many international shipping routes, which can be roughly divided into Europe, the Mediterranean, the United States and Canada, the Middle East, India and Pakistan, Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and Africa. Shipowners have their own main routes, on which there are many voyages, favorable prices, many agency points, and relatively guaranteed services. With different cooperating shipowners, freight forwarders have formed their own advantageous routes. According to the routes they need, you can choose different freight forwarders. Therefore, when dealing with freight forwarders, you need to ask “which line is more advantageous” or “which shipowner has an advantage”.
After the freight forwarder introduces, pay attention to the route freight rates they report to see if they are really cheaper than others. When comparing prices, you should also note that freight not only includes ocean freight, but also various operating fees and miscellaneous fees. The total freight cost including various miscellaneous fees is called the “All In” price in jargon. The “All In” price is closer to the actual cost and has the most reference value.
In terms of service level, observe and feel the freight forwarder’s understanding of international transportation and shipping route expertise during the conversation, whether he is familiar with the entire process and details from booking to customs declaration. You can also search the freight forwarder’s name as a keyword on the Internet to get a side view of the situation, such as whether it has been registered and whether it has been approved by the shipowner.