No doubt, air freight is the fastest and the most reliable shipping solution. Businesses that have time-sensitive and high-value shipments prefer air freight. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges associated with air freight. Several businesses that overlooked its challenges have suffered big time. Whether it is frequent rate changes, cargo restrictions, or limited action time, challenges like these can take your peace.
Not just that, even if you make a small mistake, you may end up paying huge detention and demurrage costs. In fact, the challenges of air freight are the key reasons why businesses are coerced to hire an air freight forwarder. But again, before you collaborate with an air freight forwarder, you must have some familiarity with how they work, what process they follow, etc. For your help, we have come with this article discussing the 8 basic things you need to know about air freight forwarding. So, let’s break it all.
Masters in supply chain management, air freight forwarding companies provide a range of valuable services that include:
Apart from offering the all-inclusive air freight forwarding solution, several air freight forwarders also provide specific services such as packaging or storage of goods. Just in case you need such services, you should proactively clarify with your air freight forwarder whether they provide only such services or not.
Fundamentally, there are six steps that the air freight forwarding process involves:
The step involves transportation of the goods from your warehouse to the air freight forwarder’s warehouse.
The steps involve customs reviewing the shipment and giving clearance for them to leave the country of origin.
The step involves uploading the shipment by the officials and verification of the booking documents based on the goods that are in the delivery, once the shipment has arrived in the country of destination.
The step involves verification of the customs documents by the Port authorities to ensure things are in order.
The step involves transferring the cargo to the import warehouse.
This is the final step that involves moving the shipment from the import warehouse to the final destination.
With so many things to be done, shipping goods through air freight could be an overwhelming responsibility. You need to pay attention to even the minutest details to have the seamless implementation of the entire process so that it doesn’t impact your business bottom-line adversely. However, as long as you have the expert guidance of an air freight forwarder by your side, you can have peace of mind as your shipment is in safe hands.
By providing you with all the essential documents, the air freight forwarders make the task of keeping your shipment secured even easier for you. Moreover, the proper documentation helps you stay away from the possible legal issues that businesses at times face. Some of the documents provided by an air freight forwarder are invoice, bill of lading, shipper’s export declaration, inspection certificate, a certificate of origin statement, export packing list, and export license.
For, Airfreight forwarders do it every day, they very well know what legalities are associated to which country. Since the international shipping legalities for each country are different, it is not easy to keep everything in mind, especially for those whose core job is something else. However, the air freight forwarders have everything at their fingertips. It is not necessary that you are shipping your goods to just one country. There may be different countries you are shipping your goods to. While you need to be well aware of the air freight forwarding laws of the country of origin and destination, or both, the chances of skipping the one or other legality are higher with so much to do. However, being one of the core tasks of the air freight forwarders, this comes naturally to them. Seeking their help is certainly going to help.
Packaging and labeling is something not all air freight forwarders do but a lot of them do provide this service. At times, those who do not provide this service also do it for you on request. So, if you need such services, you must ask the air freight forwarding company before the collaboration. The product labeling not only includes weight designations but also the confirmation of whether the shipments contain goods that are considered hazardous or not.
Not all countries allow all goods, and that some impose legal restrictions on the shipping of several items. Usually, the items they restrict include toxic substances, drugs, alcohol, flammable materials, perishables, batteries, and sharp objects. Your air freight forwarder would tell you whether or not your goods are legally permitted to be shipped to a given country.
Most businesses that ship goods across borders look for storage solutions as well. Warehouse space is required by them either in the country of origin or destination or both. However, they can rely on their air freight forwarder for storage solutions too. The air freight forwarder not only provides storage solutions but that the warehouse provided by them is a climate-controlled and secure area. Moreover, insurance covers your goods.
You can easily cut down the costs incurred in international shipping by teaming up with an air freight forwarder. The highly professional staff of the air freight forwarding companies can take away all your shipping pains through their strong network of contacts and rich experience in the shipping industry. Whether it is getting the best quotes, minimizing the travel delays, or dealing with probable legal issues, your freight forwarding partner with its great contacts can do all that too in the most sophisticated way.
Whether you are shipping internationally or in and around your country, seeking the help of a reliable air freight forwarder can certainly make the task a lot easier. Whatever they may be, the initial hiccups or obstacles during the final mile of the supply line, an air freight forwarder are used to solving them in the most sophisticated way. Being in the shipping industry for years, they know well how to tackle the issues. What documentations are crucial and when to present them is critical to the smooth execution of the international shipping process. The slightest delay due to such issues may cost you a fortune.
Moreover, you never know when a mechanical breakdown happens or your shipping of goods is impeded by bad weather. Relying on a reputed air freight forwarder can help you stay away from the after-effects of any such issues as they can provide the right resolution at the right time. However, before you collaborate with an air freight forwarder and put your money at stake, know how they work, what are their offerings, and so on. Hopefully, the article helps you make a more informed decision while hiring an air freight forwarding company for your business.
28 September 2021
