Tips to Find the Right Freight Forwarder in Austin

Your company is importing or exporting goods, then this is the time you start thinking of freight forwarding services and are confused about what to be on the watch for. A freight forwarder is actually an intermediary who organizes the shipments and gives a full variety of services that include delivery through multiple carriers, warehouse storage and freight insurance among other solutions. So while they work with different agencies, they will normally ship under their own bill of lading or airway bills. 

5 Key Points to Selecting a Freight Forwarder in Austin

1.       Understand your internal requirements: Determine what mode of transportation you need, the time frame you are looking at, any special licenses or needs for your type of cargo and the volume of cargo. This understanding is important before you even start speaking to freight forwarders.

2.       Experience is important: They should have experience linking to all modes of transportation and have a strong relationship with multiple carriers. This is particularly important during peak season when they can find alternate carriers to ensure your cargo reaches on time. They are various shipment commodities like cars, food, garments, chemicals etc. Freight forwarders mostly do not have experience in all. It’s important to ask them about a similar previous shipment they have made.

3.       Industry certification is a must: For a freight forwarder to be a professional, they should be part of a trade association or a freight forwarding circle like WCA. Membership requires them to provide details of their efficiency, financial stability, and legitimacy. You definitely need your agent to have all this when your goods are at stake. Financial stability also ensures that your goods don’t get held up because they have not paid the carriers.

4.       Cargo Insurance: Look into what they provide care as it’s important in the case of theft, fire or any other unforeseen circumstances.

5.       Tracking your shipment: Who will be your point of contact for submitting documents or asking for the status. This may be one or many people but it’s important to get their contact numbers upfront. Also, do they have automatic web tracking or do updates reach you by email or telephone. You don’t want to be running about later trying to get details in case of a hitch.

The exporter (and that’s you) is responsible for all the information submitted to the US Customs for import or export. The freight forwarder is not responsible for export compliance while they might advise you. It’s important you are familiar with U.S. export regulations. Another point to beware is that cheap rates or low logistic costs should not be the sole reason for deciding on a freight forwarder in Austin. Many of them offer teaser rates to get you on as a customer and then charge you higher on other service or destination fees.   

Get the best frieght forwarders here-  Cargo and Shipping