Freight Forwarding Tips for Beginners
Shipping freight can be intimidating at first, especially when you are shipping to Alaska. Choosing the right freight forwarding company, making sure all of the laws are being followed, and ensuring your product gets to the intended destination on time are all items that you must keep in mind. Therefore, we have come up with our top five tips for beginners to ease your mind.
- Don’t cram shipments.
When you have new shipments, make sure to let the freight forwarding company know all of the information well in advance. Last-minute shipments always come with trouble, and there’s a good chance there won’t be enough space on vessels. If you don’t plan, you are sure to pay a higher price, and your product will most likely be delayed to its destination.
- Manage consistency
Most companies have a consistent schedule. If you plan to ship on a consistent and frequent basis, make sure you let your freight forwarder know. They will be able to set aside scheduled time to work on your shipments to make sure they get to where they need to go. Being transparent about the volume of shipped products will help your freight forwarder negotiate with their carriers to get you savings.
- Communication is Key
Communications with your freight forwarder are essential. Please make sure they know all relevant information for current and future projects. If you have had negative experiences with a different freight forwarder, let them know. This will help them understand your expectations, leading to a healthier business relationship. Working with a freight forwarder shouldn’t be challenging, especially when responsibilities, expectations, and projects are communicated clearly.
- Documentation
Throughout the years, there have been innovations such as artificial intelligence and automation within the logistics industry; however, the failure or success of a shipment comes down to documentation. Foreign and local customs require much documentation to be filed. Therefore, it is vital to establish a process with your freight forwarder to send and obtain the documents. Not clearly showing a process leaves room for records to be lost or forgotten.
- Focus on the long-term
When you work with a freight forwarder, it should operate as a business relationship. Always chasing the lowest-priced vendors can quickly put you into a challenging situation. It is best to treat your freight forwarder as a part of your team instead of an outsourced service. Having these relationships can lower your shipping costs and increase transit speeds.
Alaska Air Forwarding is a full-service Alaska freight forwarder serving industries and businesses throughout North America. We have a network of 500 partner agents throughout the United States and the world. We provide:
- Cost-effective and accurate rate quotes
- Highest caliber of service including 24-hour LIVE support
- Door-to-door pickup and delivery
- Shipping of heavy-lift cargo
- Access to remote areas of Alaska that most companies cannot access
Alaska Air Forwarding has offices in crucial Alaska cities. Our professional and knowledgeable staff is there to facilitate getting your shipment delivered.
