A freight forwarding company, also known as a freight forwarder or forwarding agent, is a company that facilitates the shipment of goods from one location to another on behalf of its clients.
Freight forwarders act as intermediaries between shippers and various transportation services, such as airlines, shipping lines, trucking companies, and rail carriers.
The primary role of a freight forwarding company is to coordinate and arrange the logistics involved in the transportation and delivery of goods. They handle various aspects of the shipping process, including documentation, customs clearance, insurance, warehousing, and coordination of transportation modes.
Here are some key functions and services provided by freight forwarding companies like ourselves here at KMB Shipping:
Documentation: Freight forwarders handle the preparation and processing of necessary shipping documents, such as bills of lading, commercial invoices, customs forms, and export/import documentation.
Customs Clearance: Freight forwarders assist with customs clearance procedures, ensuring that goods comply with customs regulations and facilitating smooth entry or exit of shipments across international borders.
Transportation: Freight forwarders select and book the most appropriate transportation modes, including air, sea, road, or rail, based on the nature of the goods, budget, and delivery requirements.
Routing and Consolidation: A freight forwarder company can optimise the transportation route and consolidate multiple shipments from different clients to achieve both cost savings and improved efficiency for their clients
Warehousing and Distribution: Freight forwarders may provide warehousing and distribution services, including inventory management, order fulfilment, and last-mile delivery to the final destination
Insurance: They can arrange *ALL RISK* cargo insurance to protect the goods against loss or damage during transit
Freight Rate Negotiation: Freight forwarders leverage their network and industry expertise to negotiate competitive shipping rates on behalf of their clients.
Tracking and Tracing: They provide real-time tracking and tracing capabilities, allowing clients to monitor the status and location of their shipments throughout the transportation process.
Freight forwarding companies play a vital role in international trade, helping businesses navigate the complexities of global supply chains and ensuring the timely and secure movement of goods from origin to destination.
If you are looking for support with your global logistics requirements, then look no further than KMB Shipping Group. For reliable and cost effective movement of your Cargo and a free quotations, call us on 0121 557 3352.