Initially, the freight forwarder was a gold agent representing the import/exporter’s business activities of loading/unloading goods, storing goods, arranging local transportation, and asking for payment for his customers.
However, in the past few years, with the expansion of international trade business and the development of different modes of transportation, the scope of freight forwarding services has also expanded. Today, freight forwarders play an important role in international trade and transportation. The range of services provided by freight forwarders includes booking, customs clearance and other day-to-day services and complex package services (including full transportation and distribution). From an international perspective, there is no definition of the term “freight forwarder” that countries recognize. Freight forwarders have different names in different countries, such as “customs agents”, “customs clearance agents”, “customs commission merchants”, “transportation and freight forwarding agents”, etc., in some cases as the main carrier. No matter what name they use, a total of their activities
The same point is: providing services.
Freight forwarding service scope
Unless the consignor (seller) or consignee (buyer) wants to personally be responsible for the procedures or documents, the movement of the goods in the relevant area is usually carried out by the freight forwarder on behalf of the consignor. The freight forwarder can do this work directly or through a sub-agent or other employed agent. He can also use his overseas agency services to simply say that these services include:
on behalf of the shipper (exporter)
According to the shipper’s shipping instructions, the freight forwarder will: select the route, transport and the appropriate carrier; book the selected carrier; accept the goods and issue relevant documents, such as the goods agent receipt certificate. Freight forwarder transport Certificates, etc.; review the terms of the letter of credit and study the import/export country. The government regulations imposed by the transit country on the carriage of goods, preparing the necessary documents.
Packaged goods (unless the shipper has completed before the transfer), and should take into account the route, mode of transport, nature of the goods, and relevant regulations of the importing/exporting country and transit country; if necessary, arrange cargo storage weighing ; measure the volume of the goods; remind the consignor to insure. When the consignor has a request, the cargo insurance is handled; when the goods are delivered to the port, the customs clearance and the corresponding procedures are carried out and the goods are delivered to the carrier; if necessary, the foreign currency is exchanged; and the expenses including freight are paid; Request the issued bill of lading from the carrier and deliver it to the delivery; arrange the transshipment if necessary; supervise the shipment of the cargo by the liaison with the carrier and the foreign agent until it is delivered to the consignee; in the event of damage and loss of the goods, The damage shall be indicated; in the event of damage or loss of the goods, the consignor shall be assisted to file a claim with the carrier for the loss and damage of the goods.