Freight Forwarder: Nuances of the Profession

A freight forwarder is a professional who is responsible for organizing the transportation of goods from the sender to the recipient. They act as a link between shippers, carriers, and customs authorities. In this article, we will discuss the main nuances of the freight forwarder profession.

Duties of a Freight Forwarder

The main task of a freight forwarder is to organize the transportation of goods. This includes selecting the optimal route, choosing the appropriate mode of transportation, preparing all necessary documents, and monitoring the delivery of the goods. The freight forwarder is also responsible for timely payment of carrier services and resolving any problems that may arise during the transportation process.

Skills and Qualities of a Freight Forwarder

A freight forwarder must have a wide range of skills and qualities necessary for successful work in this profession. Here are some of them:

Organizational skills. The freight forwarder must be able to plan and coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.

Knowledge of legislation. The freight forwarder must have a good knowledge of laws and regulations governing the transportation of goods, customs clearance, and so on.

Communication skills. The freight forwarder must be able to effectively communicate with shippers, carriers, customs authorities, and other transportation participants.

Analytical skills. The freight forwarder must be able to analyze information about transportation and make the right decisions based on the data received.

Stress resistance. The freight forwarder must be prepared for unexpected situations and be able to respond quickly to them.

Knowledge of foreign languages. The freight forwarder must have a good knowledge of English, as most transportation is carried out by international transport companies.

Types of Goods and Their Features

A freight forwarder must have an idea of the different types of goods and their features. Here are some of them:

Oversized cargo. This could be, for example, oversized vehicles or equipment. Special transport and knowledge of legislation for the transportation of oversized cargo are required.

Dangerous goods. These can be explosive, poisonous, or easily flammable substances. Special training and certification are required for the transportation of dangerous goods, as well as appropriate equipment.

Transportation of food products. The transportation of food products requires compliance with certain temperature and humidity conditions, as well as compliance with hygiene and sanitation rules.

Valuable cargo. This could be, for example, jewelry or cash. Increased security and control are required for the transportation of valuable cargo.International transportation of goods. For international transportation of goods, knowledge of international legislation and rules, customs procedures, and language skills are required.