Freight Forwarder

Freight Forwarder Job Description

A Freight Forwarder Is An Agent Who Acts On Behalf Of Importers, Exporters Or Other Companies Or Persons To Organise The Safe, Efficient And Cost-effective Transportation Of Goods.

Freight Forwarders Arrange The Best Means Of Transport, Taking Into Account The Type Of Goods And The Customers' Delivery Requirements. They Use The Services Of Shipping Lines, Airlines And Road And Rail Freight Operators. In Some Cases, The Freight Forwarding Company Itself Provides The Service.

Companies Vary In Size And Type, From Those Operating On A National And International Basis To Smaller, More Specialised Firms, Who Deal With Particular Types Of Goods Or Operate Within Particular Geographical Areas.

Freight Forwarder Duties/Functions/Responsibilities

obtaining, checking and preparing documentation to meet customs and insurance requirements, packing specifications, and compliance with overseas countries' regulations and fiscal regimes; offering consolidation services by air, sea and road, ensuring cost-effective and secure solutions to small shippers who have insufficient cargo to require their own dedicated units; liaising with third parties to move goods (by road, rail, air or sea) in accordance with customer requirements; investigating and planning the most appropriate route for a shipment, taking account of the perishable or hazardous nature of the goods, cost, transit time and security; acting as a consultant in customs matters; maintaining current knowledge of relevant legislation, political situations and other factors that could affect the movement of freight. arranging insurance and assisting the client in the event of a claim; arranging appropriate packing, taking account of climate, terrain, weight, nature of goods and cost, and the delivery and warehousing of goods at their final destination; negotiating contracts, transportation and handling costs; arranging air transport for urgent and high-value freight and managing the risk door to door; arranging charters for large volume, out-of-gauge or project movements by air and sea; acting as broker in customs negotiations worldwide to guide the freight efficiently through complex procedures; dealing with special arrangements for transporting delicate cargoes, such as livestock, food and medical supplies; arranging courier and specialist hand-carry services; working closely with customers, colleagues and third parties to ensure smooth operations to deadlines; maintaining communication and control through all phases of the journey, including the production of management reports and statistical and unit cost analysis; offering tailored IT solutions and electronic data interchange (EDI) connections; arranging payment of freight and other charges or collection of payment on behalf of the client; utilising e-commerce, internet technology and satellite systems to enable real-time tracking of goods;

At more senior levels, the role may also involve managing staff and overseeing activities within a department or specialising in a particular area, such as sea freight or air freight.