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Why should you be extra careful when choosing a freight forwarder in China?
The freight forwarder plays an essential role in international trade and commerce.
The main role of a freight forwarder is to ensure that the goods entrusted to him arrive at their destination in good condition.
You should therefore choose your freight forwarder carefully, as your goods are entrusted to them and a mistake on their part could have a major impact on your company.
Your freight forwarder will be the backbone of your transpo
rt logistics.
In the field of freight forwarding, the formalities are numerous and time-consuming. Using a competent freight forwarder will not only save you time and money, but you will also benefit from his expertise in the field.
6 Things you should be looking for in your Chinese freight forwarder
To help you out, DocShipper has put together a list of things you should look for in a shipping broker in China before contracting to transport your goods.
Using a freight forwarder means entrusting them with your goods, and the administrative operations that bring you into compliance with other countries. So it is very important that the freight forwarder masters all the transit procedures, and that they are able to inform you of the progress of your shipment.
1. A freight forwarder registered with the authorities
Selecting a registered shipping agent in China ensures that you are working with a company that is legal, complies with rules and regulations, and can offer you a reliable and trustworthy service.
- Legality: Registration with the authorities is a sign that the company is legal and complies with the rules and regulations in force.
- Responsibility: Registered companies are obliged to respect certain responsibilities, such as personal data protection, transport safety and environmental protection.
- Safety: A registered freight forwarder is subject to regular inspections to ensure that it meets the required safety and quality standards.
- Protection of interests: If something goes wrong, choosing a registered freight forwarder means you can assert your rights and benefit from legal protection.
- Credibility: It guarantees a better reputation and a better quality of service.
2. Check their client reviews
Reading online reviews before choosing a freight forwarder give you an idea of the quality of service they can offer. They give you information about :
- Reliability: The reviews tell you whether the forwarder is reliable and meets the promised delivery times.
- Quality of service: Also, you can get an idea of the quality of the customer service and the ability of the forwarder to solve any problems.
- Reputation: Through customer reviews, it is easier to get an idea of the company's reputation in the industry.
- Strengths and weaknesses: Reviews can give you an idea of the company's reliability, and help you determine if it is suitable for your specific needs.
3. A forwarder who speaks your language
It's essential that your chinese forwarders understands your needs. You have expectations and specifications to meet, so good communication is essential.
A freight forwarder who speaks your language is therefore important for several reasons:
- Communication: Having a forwarder who speaks your language allows for better communication and mutual understanding. This will avoid misunderstandings that can cause delays and errors in the shipment of your goods.
- Ease of paperwork: A freight forwarder who speaks your language can help you understand the paperwork and documentation required to ship your goods, making the process easier and reducing the risk of errors.
- Customer service: A partener who speaks your language can provide better customer service and be more responsive to support and follow-up requests.
- Better follow-up: Better communication allows you to better monitor the progress of your shipment and ask specific questions to make sure everything is going well.
- Better confidence: If you can communicate effectively with your chinese freight forwarder, you can have more confidence in them and feel more secure in trusting them with your shipments.
4. Look for a responsive customer service
Responsive customer service is crucial to effectively managing any problems that may arise when shipping your goods.
- Confidence: Having responsive customer service gives you the confidence to know that you can rely on them if you have a problem or need follow-up.
- Follow-up on your case: It is important to have someone who takes charge of your case and follows you from start to finish to avoid misunderstandings.
- Problem-solving: If you have any problems or difficulties with the shipment of your goods, you need a customer service department that is responsive to resolve these issues quickly.
- Tracking shipments: When you ship goods, it is important to be able to track their progress in real time. Responsive customer service can provide you with regular updates on the progress of your shipment.
- Flexibility: Every company's needs can vary, so it's important that customer service is responsive to those needs and offers solutions that meet your specific requirements.
- Time: In a globalized business environment, delivery times are very important, so a responsive customer service will allow you to manage transport and delivery times efficiently
5. International outlook
A chinese freight forwarder needs to be internationally minded, as he often works with customers and suppliers based in different countries. He is a key player in connecting different markets and facilitating global trade.
He must therefore :
- Regulatory: Understand the different international trade laws and regulations to facilitate cross-border trade transactions and ensure efficient and compliant delivery.
- Communication: Be able to communicate with people of different cultures and nationalities, as well as navigate the different currencies and measurement systems used around the world.
6. The freight forwarder should offer other services
Depending on the forwarder, the services they offer may vary, but generally, you can find :
- Customs clearance: some shipping companies in China can help clients navigate the various customs regulations and fill out the necessary forms for importing or exporting goods, such as customs clearance.
- Transport planning: Freight forwarders plan the most efficient transport routes and find carriers for the goods.
- Delivery Tracking: Freight forwarders track shipments and provide regular updates on the location of goods and expected arrival times.
- Inventory management: Storage services can be provided for goods in transit or for finished goods awaiting shipment.
- Insurance: They can arrange insurance for shipments to protect goods against damage, loss or theft.
- Consulting services: Freight forwarders offer advice on trade and customs regulations, procurement strategies and best transport practices.
Docshipper, your reliable logistics partner
Docshipper is the first French-speaking freight forwarder in Asia, so we can accompany you through the entire international logistics process.
DocShipper provides you with support from A to Z to build and carry out your project.
With 8,350 satisfied customers, 60 employees worldwide, 11 years of experience and over 142,000 m³ chartered, we can meet all your needs.
We study our clients' files on a case-by-case basis and your file will be assigned to one of our experts who will follow you throughout the process to ensure that each operation runs smoothly.
Additional DocShipper services
We also provide pre- and post-transport services, as well as special services:
Pre-transport services :
- Product Sourcing
- Packaging service
- Storage service
- Quality control
Post-transport service :
- Customs clearance
- 3PL service
Special services :
- Door-to-door (we literally take care of everything!)
- Transport insurance
- Multimodal transport
