How to Choose the Right Freight Shipping Company
Full container shipping is when a
International freight shipper delivers an entire shipping container, complete with its contents, from one location to another.
There are two reasons why you might want full container shipping rather than other types of freight transport. The first is when you have a lot of stuff that won’t fit in something smaller like a truckload, or if your items need special temperature-controlled environments to stay safe while in transit.
Full container shipping might also be preferable if you’re trying to coordinate and keep track of a very large shipment of heavy machinery, specialty products, or fragile things (like china).
If any of these apply, here’s how to choose the right
International freight shipping company.
Do Your Research
There are a lot of shipping companies out there, but not all of them are created equal.
Even if you’re working with a freight broker, you should still do your own research and make sure they’re doing their job properly by asking questions and checking references. Ask if the shipping company has offices in both ports and if they can provide satellite tracking details.
To streamline things, always get your quotes in writing before moving forward with any deal so that you don’t end up spending more than necessary. The right company will save you money and headaches down the road; make sure yours is one of them!
Check Their Experience in the Industry
Industry experience is a very important factor when choosing a freight shipping company. If you’re in an industry that requires your business materials and supplies to be shipped across the country, it’s best to use an
international freight shipping company that has been within your industry for years.
You wouldn’t want your company’s shipment delayed or even lost while using a new freight shipping company with no industry experience and limited reach.
If you have multiple shipments or are hoping to ship worldwide – it’s best to choose a freight shipping company with global reach rather than one just within your own region.
Consider Risk Management
In any shipping scenario, risk management is a significant and ever-present factor. When you’re shipping via container, your choice of the freight carrier will determine much of what you face in terms of insurance coverage, if any.
Full container load (FCL) carriers almost always include comprehensive insurance in their fees while less-than-container load (LCL) carriers do not.
If you’re not getting full value out of your shipping space with an LCL carrier, shop around for another option; nobody wants to lose money or ship their belongings in uninsured boxes.
Communication is Key
Communication and customer service are extremely important, particularly when it comes to freight shipping.
If a company can’t get in touch with you or they don’t have someone who is easily reachable during non-business hours, look elsewhere.
Communication is key when it comes to logistics – if a freight shipping company has a poor phone system or website that doesn’t make sense, they probably don’t know what they’re doing either.
Ask questions and communicate with multiple freight companies before making your final decision.
Are They Licensed and Certified?
If you want to ensure that your freight shipping company is trustworthy, make sure that it’s authorized. In most cases, a freight shipping company will be licensed by both your state and/or national government.
To transport your cargo, freight forwarders need a variety of permissions and documents, including specific licenses for transporting sensitive or risky goods. If your service provider holds the necessary licenses for you, make sure they are publicly accessible.
Conclusion
The right shipping company can be worth its weight in gold, but finding a reliable one is not usually easy.
To make sure you have enough space for that priceless cargo, you need to pick a freight shipping company that can offer you both top-notch service and competitive rates.
The tips discussed above will help you narrow down your choices to the most reliable shipping company.
