International shipping is an intimidating process and often requires many logistics providers and knowledge of individual country regulations and rules. Freight forwarding is one of the most popular used international transport methods for personal and business use.

Freight forwarding companies arrange the shipment of goods worldwide. They make sure that shipments from one destination to another are thoroughly completed. This is accomplished by using a range of carriers, including air freight, ocean freight, road freight, and, in some cases, railway freight.

Forwarders are responsible for the entire process on behalf of their customers, from the storage process to the merchandise shipping process. Their job entails working as the arbitrator between transportation and shipping services. Also, they collaborate with various carriers to negotiate on the price and decide on the most economical, reliable, and fastest route.

This article’s objective is to provide you with information on the role of air freight forwarding and how they play a significant part in the shipping industry.

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What is air freight forwarding?

Freight forwarders, in general, are in charge of a range of services. They assist with the supply chain process on various levels, including insurance, storage, packing, inventory management, customs clearance, international export, import documentation, planning, and organizing freight transport from one destination to another by air.

What is an air freight forwarder?

An air freight forwarder works specifically in moving freight by air on either specially designed cargo aircraft or passenger aircraft. Therefore, this specialization enables them to create a relationship with the TSA better, understand the intricacies of air freight, and, in many cases, provide better air rates. It is quite an intimidating position; however, they play a significant part in ensuring that goods are shipped and arrive at the correct destination on time. Take a look at this article by Forbes on How Can Freight Forwarding Move Forward.

What are the specific responsibilities of an air freight forwarder?

Before Shipment Departs 

The goods that are to be shipped must pass through some security tests to ensure they travel cost-effectively and safely. Thus, before the goods are loaded on the plane and shipped off to the new destination, factors such as the value of the goods, the volume, packaging, the airplane fuel that it will take to make the trip, weight, the distance the air freight will travel, and handling cost of the cargo all of these factor into the logistics planning for the chain of shipment.

Each one is managed and looked over by the air freight forwarder, which is why many sellers prefer to work with top air freight companies. The highly knowledgeable shippers at Alba Wheels Up have a team of experienced professionals that focus on air shipping and can save you time and money when shipping by air. Also, our company has been featured in many news outlets, take a look here.

Be rest assured, air freight forwarders go through a rigorous training process consisting of learning all of the laws and regulations concerning air shipping. Therefore, they are considered as being trustworthy and confident in completing their job for the customer. This reputation with the carrier company allows many times to ensure that a customer’s cargo receives extra care and special treatment when it is shipped. This credibility can move the shipment quickly and at a reduced price.

An international air freight forwarder also helps companies navigate through freight documents, insurance, customs, and any matters that may be encountered along the way. Lastly, an air freight forwarder also ensures that goods are packed suitably to the non-traditional shape of an aircraft and effectively optimizes the paid space.

Related: Cargo Freight Insurance

Air Carrier Arrangements

Reserving a plane to move the cargo is not that simple compared to purchasing a ticket and getting on an airplane. Air carriers have stricter security laws and regulations regarding reserving cargo on a plane to ensure the safety of the aircraft. Since there is always an opportunity to load dangerous cargo on a flight that may go undetected because there are many different airlines to deal with and thousands of flights, it is the air freight forwarder’s responsibility to oversee this part of the process. The world of aviation schedules, booking procedures, and travel routes are complicated and intimidating if you lack experience in this area.

Negotiate Airline Cost

The air freight forwarder has plenty of experience working with carriers. Over time, they build a relationship with the airline, which entails a high level of confidence in getting the job completed. This relationship ensures that the carrier will ensure that the client’s goods are taken care of and receive special treatment. This relationship’s credibility could also help move the goods at a reduced cost and a faster rate.

The air market is heavily regulated; therefore, many businesses chose to work with a freight forwarder who works solely with air shipments. An air freight forwarder has an abundant amount of knowledge and experience working with air carriers. Check out this informative article from Forbes about The Dynamic Partnership of Air Freight and The Supply Chain.

Reserving the Air Cargo

Once the price has been negotiated, the air freight forwarder will authenticate your space confirmed on the aircraft. Then they complete any additional information that is needed to complete the shipment. Along with the cargo’s departure and arrival destination, the air freight forwarder secures the flight date, assigned airline air waybill Number, and the number of the airplane. Additionally, they provide the contact information, shipping agent, what the shipment contains, an estimate of the shipment’s final cost, and any other shipment details.

Prepare the Air Cargo

The air freight forwarder creates the Air Waybill. This is a document that legalizes and authenticates the shipment transaction. Its purpose is to provide the communicated contract terms, liabilities, and conditions of the people working. Also, it describes the proof of delivery of the goods to the carrier, handling and invoicing instructions, and acting as an insurance document and customs certificate when needed.

Finally, the air freight forwarder will correctly label and package the cargo, clear the goods for export, and or, if necessary, clear the goods for importing and clearing it for its destination.

Related: Freight Forwarding Services Offered By Alba Wheels Up

To sum up air freight forwarding

The air freight forwarder plays a vital and necessary part of the logistics of international shipping. They have multiple essential responsibilities for ensuring that air shipments are correctly departed and arrived in a cost-effective and fast manner.

We hope that we accomplished our objective by providing you with information regarding air freight forwarding.

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