If you're new to importing or exporting, you'll hear the term "freight forwarder" a lot. Here's what one is, what they do for you, and how to choose one.
The short answer
A freight forwarder organises the movement of your goods from where they are to where you need them. We don't usually own the ships or planes. We book space with the carriers, arrange everything around that journey, and manage it for you from start to finish.
Think of a forwarder as a travel agent and tour guide for your cargo.
What a freight forwarder does
- Quotes and books freight by sea, air or road, choosing the best route and carrier
- Arranges collection from your supplier and delivery to your door
- Prepares and checks documents: bills of lading, invoices, packing lists, proof of origin
- Handles customs clearance at both ends, or works with agents who do
- Consolidates part loads, so small shipments can share a container
- Arranges cargo insurance, storage and packaging
- Tracks the shipment and deals with problems along the way
Freight forwarder vs shipping line vs customs broker
| What they do | |
|---|---|
| Shipping line or airline | Owns or operates the vessel or aircraft. Moves the cargo port to port. |
| Customs broker | Makes customs declarations. Doesn't usually arrange transport. |
| Freight forwarder | Arranges the whole journey door to door, often including customs. |
Many forwarders, including us, also act as customs brokers. It means one company is responsible for the whole thing.
Do you need one?
You could book directly with a shipping line, but you'd still need to arrange collection at origin, export clearance, import clearance, haulage in the UK, and deal with problems yourself. For most businesses, a forwarder saves time, money and headaches, because they:
- Get better rates through volume with carriers
- Know the paperwork and rules for each country
- Solve problems before they reach you
How to choose a good forwarder
- Trade association membership. In the UK, look for BIFA membership. BIFA members trade under standard conditions and must meet professional standards.
- Experience on your trade lane. A forwarder strong on China may not know Bangladesh. Ask about their presence at origin.
- In-house customs. Fewer handovers means fewer mistakes.
- Clear, all-in quotes. Watch for low headline rates with surcharges added later.
- One point of contact. You should know who to call when something goes wrong.
About us
We're a BIFA-registered freight forwarder based in Essex, with our own offices in Dhaka and Chittagong (Chattogram), and agent offices in Dubai, Mumbai, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Jeddah and Kuwait. We handle sea, air and road freight, customs clearance, warehousing and UK delivery. Find out more about us or get a quote.