Freight shipping is an indispensable part of today’s global economy. Everything from the food we eat, the clothes we wear, to the products we work with and use in our everyday lives comes to us through cargo shipping services.
The production of these goods is the first essential step, but it is the multinational network of the shipping and receiving industry that is the backbone to a company’s success. Getting your products to the millions of consumers around the planet, safely, efficiently, securely, and affordably can be the difference between record profits, and looming bankruptcy.
So how should you go about choosing a freight company if it is of the utmost importance? We have put together a few reasons for how to choose the right shipping partner for your business or home.
Find a professional
First, the decision must be made that a professional shipping and freight service is what you need. Some companies run their own logistics and transportation departments, but oftentimes this can be expensive, complicated, and inefficient. That’s why more and more businesses are instead choosing to outsource their logistics, transportation, and supply chain operations to a professional freight shipping company.
Look for experience
One thing to be sure of when choosing a freight shipping company is that they have years of trusted experience in the field. Making sure that the company has experience means that they have dealt with the gamut of problems that can be posed by international shipping, and have successfully navigated their way to overcoming these obstacles.
These veteran shipping companies will see potential problems before they arise, and proactively deal with them before it affects your freight. Experience is also indicative of a company that has many strong international shipping connections around the globe, to best affirm and solidify your product’s relationship with their company.
Check their networks
The next thing is to confirm the freight company has adequate shipping channels and business partners in the country you are exporting to or importing from. The reality is that it’s a big world, and the experience and efficiency of shipping may vary from country to country. How well a freight company does business importing products from China has no bearing if your goods are being exported to France.
A little research to make sure they have proper connections in the city of origin/ destination will ensure you have made a proper choice of freight company, and give you a much needed peace of mind.
Ensure their services match your needs
Making sure the freight company offers all the shipping services that your company needs is crucial. Do they ship both through the air and across the ocean? This is a detail that can make shipment times a matter of days or a matter of weeks.
Are they just a port to port service, or do they also offer railway and over-the-road truck shipping to facilitate getting your product to multiple distributors across the region? Getting end to end service through a single shipping company is best practice, otherwise you must facilitate the pick-up, loading, and delivery of your products through multiple companies. The fewer hands the products go through the less likely they will be lost or something would go awry.
Does the company offer warehousing and storing services? In the event a shipment hits the hub before the distributor is ready, it is always a plus to work with a freight company who can store your products safely and securely until they can be processed and delivered.
Know their reputation
And lastly, another thing to look for in choosing a freight company for your shipping needs is good customer service. You are putting your trust in their company to deliver your products without fail. Sure, insurance on the shipments (generally $0.60 for every $1.00 is the industry standard) will be included with almost any company you choose, but in the event your shipment is lost, destroyed, mistracked, or stolen, you need to be able to get honest answers and rectify the situation ASAP.
A shipping company with top-tier customer service is priceless. If you are new to international shipping, or just have questions about the intricacies of the importing and exporting business, they should be able to answer you without making you feel like you are pestering them. If you ask something they aren’t sure of, they should be able to reach out and get you the answers you need, especially if they are trying to secure your business.
Local and international shipping needs
Your company’s expansion into international markets can make or break your bottom line. A stellar shipping service should be there to assure you that choosing them as a logistics partner will be the best choice you have made, and that they will be there to alleviate your stress, answer any questions, and help your company prosper every step of the way.
A shipping partner you can trust
Whether shipping locally or across the globe, World Cargo is the freight shipping partner you can trust. Built on years of experience and hundreds of successful partnerships, we will make sure that your personal or professional items ship correctly and safely.
