How to do foreign trade export ocean freight forwarding? What should be paid attention to?
Resolved
Our company has just entered the foreign trade export business and plans to find an ocean freight forwarder to help transport goods. However, we are not very familiar with this area and would like to know how foreign trade export ocean freight forwarding specifically works. From finding an agent to the smooth transportation of goods, what steps and processes are involved? Are there any particular points that need special attention? We hope experienced friends can share their insights so we can avoid detours.
Trade Expert Insights Answers
When doing foreign trade export ocean freight forwarding, the first step is to find a reliable agent. You can do this through recommendations from peers, online searches, etc., and assess their qualifications, reputation, and service capabilities. Once an agent is confirmed, you need to provide detailed information about the goods, such as product name, weight, volume, packaging, etc., as well as transportation requirements, such as the port of loading, port of destination, and delivery deadline. Based on this information, the agent will arrange for booking. Once a space is secured, they will notify you to deliver the goods or arrange for pick-up. Before the goods are loaded onto the ship at the port, customs declaration and inspection must be completed, and you will need to provide relevant documents to assist the agent in the operation. After loading, you can obtain transportation documents such as the bill of lading through the agent, which will be used to pick up the goods at the destination port. During transportation, you should maintain communication with the agent to understand the cargo's status. Additionally, pay attention to the contract terms, clarifying fees, division of responsibilities, etc.; cargo packaging should be suitable for ocean shipping to avoid damage during transit.
When looking for a foreign trade export ocean freight forwarder, don't just focus on low prices when negotiating. Consider the overall service quality. A price that is too low might have hidden fees later on. At the same time, understand the agent's ability to handle emergencies, such as port congestion or weather delays, and see if they can respond promptly.
Pay attention to the agent's close cooperation with shipping lines, as this affects their ability to secure good space and favorable prices. Also, confirm whether the agent has a reliable agent or partner at the destination port to facilitate smooth customs clearance and delivery of goods.
When operating foreign trade export ocean freight forwarding, timely and accurate provision of documents is crucial, otherwise, it will delay customs declaration, inspection, and ship schedules. Moreover, different types of goods may have special transportation requirements, such as dangerous goods, which must be informed to the agent in advance for proper handling according to regulations.
Remember to clarify insurance matters with the ocean freight forwarder, and see if it is included in the service. If not, consider purchasing cargo insurance yourself to ensure the safety of goods during transportation.
Before signing the contract, study the agent's compensation policy. In case of damage or loss of goods during transportation, understand how to claim compensation to reduce losses.
Understand the agent's tracking system. Whether they can track the location of goods in real-time allows you to grasp the transportation status of the goods at any time, giving you peace of mind.
When doing foreign trade export ocean freight forwarding, pay attention to the impact of holidays on transportation. For example, during the domestic Spring Festival or major holidays abroad, port operations may slow down. Plan your transportation time in advance.
When communicating with the agent, clearly express your transportation needs. For example, if you have high requirements for schedule stability, or are more sensitive to price, it helps the agent to provide a suitable solution.
If the goods have special packaging requirements, such as moisture-proof or shock-proof, inform the agent in advance so they can assist in arranging suitable packaging to ensure the safe transportation of the goods.