Freight forwarding can be very profitable for entrepreneurs. However, it can also be a very expensive business, if you do not know what you are doing.
Freight forwarding companies often charge hefty fees for their services and equipment, which can make some customers feel like they have been taken advantage of by the company that’s handling their shipments. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce these expenses so that you don’t end up paying too much for shipping your packages. Read on to explore some tips on how to reduce freight forwarding expenses so that you aren’t stuck paying more than you should!
Understand what is included in the cost of freight
Freight shipping companies charge for a variety of services, including:
- Shipping. This is the cost of transporting your goods or packages from one place to another. It includes all the costs associated with loading, unloading, and storing your shipment at its final destination.
- The fuel surcharges and other fees related to fuel usage (e.g., tanker truck rental). This fee can be substantial if you have more than 100 boxes being transported by truck or train. However, it’s usually cheaper if they are shipped via ocean freight rather than air freight because there are no additional transportation costs involved in transporting them by the ocean!
- Labor charges related to moving cargo around within warehouses during peak seasons (e.g., during the Christmas season). These fees vary greatly depending on how much work needs to be done each day. However, some companies may charge an hourly rate while others give discounts based on volume considerations–so check before committing yourself!
Learn how to check freight rates and do not assume they are the best rates
It’s easy to assume that the freight rates you see online are the best. Whereas, in many cases, you can get better deals by calling carriers or visiting their offices directly.
Here’s what you need to know about comparing freight forwarding prices
Use multiple quotes before committing. Some companies will give you a free quote over the phone and then ask for payment after they have your account information and other details of your shipment (such as its origin address). If this sounds like something that would work out well for both parties—and nothing else seems too strange about it—it might be worth considering this option instead of paying upfront or waiting until later when there may be fewer cost savings available due to increased competition between carriers who charge different fees for their services.
Keep up with the freight shipping news
Keeping up with freight shipping news is an important part of your business. It’s always best to know what is going on in the industry, so you can make better decisions regarding your business and its future.
The following are some of the most important freight shipping news stories that you should be aware of:
- News about new technologies that might impact how you ship items internationally (e.g., drones)
- New tax laws that could affect how much money companies spend on freight forwarders
Optimize your packaging
Optimizing your packaging is a great way to reduce air freight forwarding expenses but when it comes to ocean freight shipping services the size of the packaging does not matter much. Here are some tips for optimizing your packaging:
- Use the right size box. The most important thing when selecting a shipping box is that it’s large enough so that you’re able to fit everything in it without having any excess waste or space left over at the end of the process, but not so large that it costs more than necessary. This means you’ll have to calculate how much volume you need based on what kind of items are being shipped and where they’re going before ordering even one box!
- Use the right material for wrapping all those fragile items together with tape (stronger than duct tape). For example, if I’m wrapping around electronics like laptops or tablets which can easily break if dropped even slightly onto hard surfaces like concrete floors etc., then I’d probably use something such as bubble wrap instead because these materials won’t tear easily through normal handling procedures while still providing adequate protection against scratches during transit time itself — especially important when transporting products across oceans where nothing else exists except water everywhere else!”
Always make sure you are working with a reputable company that isn’t cutting corners to give you a low rate
As you are probably aware, many freight forwarding companies offer low rates. However, these companies may not be the best choice for your shipment. Before choosing a company to ship your goods, make sure they offer high-quality service at an affordable rate.
The bottom line
Conclusively, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are getting the best rate possible. It can be a little time-consuming and hard work, but it will save you money in the long run. You should always check what other companies charge for shipping before deciding which company to use as an agent or broker for your needs.