How to avoid a freightful forwarder
KMB Shipping Group
With over 1500 freight forwarders in the UK, you may find yourself spoilt for choice when choosing who to trust your cargo with. At KMB, we’ve put together a few tips to help make the journey as smooth as possible.
Proven Track Record
In the freight forwarding industry the length of time a company has been trading is a good indication of their success. As with any business, happy customers equal repeat customers, so if a freight forwarder has been around for decades rather than months, chances are they know what they’re doing.
SUITABLE INSURANCE
You wouldn’t go abroad yourself without insurance, so why risk sending your goods abroad without it? Ensure the freight forwarder you select has public liability insurance and a freight forwarders liability policy as bare minimum.
RELIABILTY
A no-brainer, you may think, but there are other factors to consider. Forwarders are dependent on a supply chain, so sometimes experience unavoidable delays, such as unpredictable weather. A reliable forwarder will keep you informed every step of the way, assuring you that they’ve done everything possible to minimise the delay.
TRUST
This comes from a lengthy relationship with your freight forwarder, with good communication and proven success.
But don’t forget to trust your own instincts too. If you’re speaking to a freight forwarder who is vague and elusive, that may ring some alarm bells.
Communication is key, so choose a company you feel comfortable with, who are friendly, approachable and most importantly, easy to get hold of!
PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATIONS
These are a great way to assess a freight forwarder’s proficiency.
The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is the trade association for UK registered freight companies, providing forwarders the opportunity to trade under their Standard Trading Conditions.
As membership requires forwarders to first satisfy the BIFA criteria before joining, it provides the satisfaction of knowing a forwarder has already been vetted by a reputable trade organisation.
Similarly, if they are members of business organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce, these promote best business practices which any reputable freight forwarder will adhere to.
In addition, an ISO certified company shows they operate within globally recognised management standards, assuring the business you are dealing with will meet your expectations.
EXPERTS IN THE MARKET PLACE
An expert forwarder will keep up-to-date with industry news and offer advice on how to improve your business rather than just looking to make a quick profit.
Company websites, social media and blogs can be a good indication of this, so check these out when doing your research.
KMB Shipping has 30 years’ experience in delivering our full range of shipping services to over 70 different countries, to a growing international client list.
As members of BIFA, we offer a flexible and fully tailored service, managing the whole shipping process for you from initial phone call to safe delivery.