Why Should I Choose Ocean Freight for My Shipment?
No matter what business you’re in, it can be tough to pursue the international markets while still keeping your shipping costs manageable. If you don’t have the added challenge of a tight deadline, ocean freight can be a good way to keep costs down while still using a reliable shipping method. Ocean freight gives you the benefits of worldwide capacity and reliable sailing times – and the best part about it is that it’s much more cost-effective than air freight for international shipments. Take a look at the reasons you may want to choose ocean freight for your next international shipment.
When Would I Choose Ocean Freight over Air Freight?
When choosing a freight method for your shipment, there are three factors you should keep in mind: cost, speed, and reliability. Ocean freight is your best option when you need to ship on a smaller budget and don’t mind when it reaches its final destination. Ocean freight does tend to be less reliable than air freight, but works well if you have a few days to spare. In situations where you require shipment on an exact timeframe, air freight is the only way to go. It wins in terms of reliability and speed.
Things To Consider When Choosing A Freight Forwarder
Freight forwarders are a dime a dozen. A quick Google search will show that there’s no shortage of companies ready to ship your goods internationally. But, there’s a vast difference between any freight forwarder and a good freight forwarder.
If your business is new to international shipping, you may not understand the importance of freight forwarding. But the truth is, the success of your international business is heavily dependent on choosing the right freight forwarder.
The wrong choice can result in poor logistics management which can deter the success of your global expansion. On the other hand, choosing the right freight forwarder can make all the difference when it comes to international shipping.
To help your company find the right freight forwarder, read on. The article below highlights what your business must consider when choosing a freight forwarder for its needs.
1. EXPERIENCE
When it comes to freight forwarding companies, few factors are more important than experience.
Experience will determine how your freight forwarding partner will deal with shipping issues like:
- Dockworker strikes
- Port shutdowns
- Cargo reroutes
- Customs
- Warehousing
These potential issues are common in international shipping. A freight forwarder with years of experience will know how to deal with such issues so your goods continue to their destination unhindered.
2. A NETWORK OF GLOBAL AGENTS
How your international shipments are handled at both your origin and destination port is the responsibility of your freight forwarder. As international shipping requires considerable logistics, the right freight forwarder for your company is one that has the right network of global agents.
When choosing a freight forwarder for your business, make sure their network and connections work in the destination country your goods will be shipped to. This will keep the flow of information running smoothly, confirming that your products are arriving in a timely and secure manner.
3. RANGE OF SERVICES
Each industry has specified requirements when it comes to international shipping. When choosing a freight forwarder, confirm that they have the services you need. This will ensure all your international shipments go smoothly.
The services that a freight forwarder should provide includes:
- Tracking inland transportation
- Preparation of import and export documentation
- Packing and storage
- Inventory management
- Booking cargo space
- Customs clearance
- Negotiating freight charges
- Freight consolidation
- Insurance
When doing your research, acquaint yourself with the type of services your desired freight forwarder provides. They should not only provide services that align with your supply chain processes but also guide you through the documents required for freight forwarding.
4. CREDENTIALS AND CERTIFICATIONS
When sourcing a freight forwarder for your company, ask to see their credentials and certifications. Certifications and credentials will inform you whether or not a freight forwarder has the specialized training and security requirements to handle your goods.
While you’re confirming credentials, ask for references as well. A list of references providing unsolicited praise for a freight forwarder is a good indication that they have the experience and expertise to manage your international shipping requirements.
5. CUSTOMER SERVICE
Like any other industry, customer service is important. A freight forwarder with excellent customer service will provide the support you need to expand internationally. This is particularly crucial if this is your first foray into the overseas market.
Exceptional customer service ensures you always have direct access to the agent managing your cargo.
Factors To Consider When Choosing An International Shipping Company
Given the complexities in ocean freight shipping, it’s important to select an international shipping company that specializes in the shipment type, route, and mode you’ll be requiring.
These are some of the most important factors for your shipment you should consider:
- Will you be shipping FCL or LCL?
- Will you be transporting your merchandise via ocean freight or air freight?
- Do you require a door-to-door service or will a port-to-port, door-to-port, or port-to-door service suffice?
- Which country are you exporting to or importing from?
- How well do you know the import/export laws and customs clearance procedures of your shipment’s origin and destination countries?
- How flexible is your supply chain and do you want to be able to track your shipment?
- How quickly do you need a quote?
Let’s take for example that you will be shipping FCL shipments to China on a regular basis. You should consider working only with an international shipping company who not only has a physical presence in China but also specializes in sending FCL shipments to China. This will come to be extremely handy — especially given the language barriers.
Reliability
A ship being off schedule is not uncommon. For most businesses, a load that’s a few days late isn’t going to do much harm. However, for businesses in some industries it may be costly. Ocean carriers operate on weekly schedules. So, if a ship misses a cutoff at a seaport, it may mean that your shipment will be delayed for quite awhile.
Timing is important but so is the safety of your cargo. When you choose a carrier you’re trusting that company with thousands (sometimes millions) of dollars worth of your product. Accidents do happen and some incidents are unavoidable (inclement weather, war, etc.). However, you’ll want to make sure that the carrier you choose has an exemplary safety record and up-to-date insurance. If reliable transit is high on your priorities list, you’ll want to do your homework before you choose a carrier.
Why Is It Important To Choose The Right International Freight Forwarder For Your Business?
When products are shipped Internationally there are so many important processes that are involved to get goods delivered through to end customers. Because of this, freight forwarders have access to a broad network of logistics providers along the supply chain. This allows them to connect services between integrated modes of transport, from road, sea, rail and air. They will have existing relationships with trucking companies, port services, International shipping lines, customs agents and marine insurance brokers around the world.
Think of your freight forwarder as a long term business partner. In doing so, you must choose a freight forwarder that understands your exact requirements and that can provide you with the level of service that you require in your business. Very large global forwarding companies normally deal with very large shippers and therefore don’t focus on providing a high level of service to a smaller shippers. On the other hand, small freight forwarders may not have the tools, resources or networks required to service very large volume shippers.