What are the Tricks in the Charges of Import and Export Freight Forwarding? Come and Find Out!
Solved#Freight forwarding#
Our company has recently had the need for transporting import and export goods and intends to find a freight forwarder to help, but we are not quite sure how they charge. Worried about being ripped off, so we want to ask everyone, what are the general charging standards for import and export freight forwarding? Is it based on the weight, volume of the goods, or are there other billing methods? Will there be a big difference in charges among different transportation modes (sea freight, air freight, etc.)? Hope friends who know can tell us about it, thank you!
Professional consultant answers
Emily LiuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Settlement and payment expertConsult
The charging standards of import and export freight forwarding are relatively complex and usually take multiple factors into account. Firstly, the basic freight is an important part. For sea freight, it is generally charged by the weight ton or measurement ton of the goods, whichever value is larger. For air freight, it is mostly based on the actual weight or volumetric weight of the goods (volume/6000, with the unit of centimeter), and the larger value is also taken.
Secondly, there will be some additional charges. For example, the bunker surcharge, which will fluctuate with the oil price; there are also port surcharges, documentation fees, etc. In addition, the differences among different transportation modes are obvious. Sea freight is relatively cheap and suitable for large quantities of goods; air freight is fast but expensive and suitable for high-value and urgently needed goods.
The nature and special requirements of the goods also affect the charges. For example, for the transportation of dangerous goods, due to the complex operation and high risk, the cost will be higher. In short, the specific charges need to be calculated by the freight forwarder according to the actual situation.
David LiYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Senior customs declaration consultantConsult
Generally speaking, the charges of freight forwarding will consider the transportation distance. The farther the distance, the higher the charges will surely be. For example, the charges for transporting to Europe and America and to Southeast Asia will be different. In addition, the packaging requirements may also affect the charges. If special packaging is needed to protect the goods, the freight forwarder may charge an additional packaging fee.
Sarah ZhangYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Document expertConsult
The charges of freight forwarding are also related to the difficulty level of loading and unloading of the goods. If the goods are overweight or oversized and special equipment is needed for loading and unloading, the freight forwarder will increase the relevant charges. Moreover, the pricing strategies of different freight forwarders are also different, so it is necessary to consult several and make comparisons.
Elizabeth LiYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Compliance and risk managerConsult
The charges for LCL (Less than Container Load) and FCL (Full Container Load) are different. LCL means that the goods of multiple companies are combined into one container, and the charges are calculated according to the proportion of the space occupied by the goods; FCL is charged for the whole container. Relatively speaking, FCL is more cost-effective when the quantity of goods is sufficient.
Jennifer WangYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Market development consultantConsult
The charges also fluctuate in peak and off-peak seasons. In the peak season, the demand for freight transportation is large, and the freight forwarder may appropriately increase the price; in the off-peak season, to attract customers, the price may be discounted. For example, the peak season of sea freight is generally in the second half of the year, approaching Christmas, etc.
Amanda YangYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Cost control consultantConsult
Some freight forwarders will also charge according to the service content. For example, if they provide value-added services such as customs declaration and inspection declaration, they will charge the corresponding service fees. In addition, the storage time and storage conditions of the goods will also affect the charges.
Joseph ZhouYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior foreign trade managerConsult
The insurance premium is also a part of the charges. The freight forwarder can help handle the freight insurance, and the charges are determined according to the value of the goods and the insurance clauses. If the requirement for the safety of goods transportation is high, it is necessary to purchase insurance.
William YangYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
International logistics consultantConsult
If there is transshipment involved, there will also be transshipment charges. The loading and unloading, storage, etc. of the goods during the transshipment process all require costs, and these will be reflected in the charges of the freight forwarder.
Andrew HuangYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Supply chain optimization expertConsult
The charging standards of different ports are different. For some busy or advanced-facility ports, the port-related charges collected by the freight forwarder will be higher. Moreover, the cost of inland transportation to the port will also be included in the charges of the freight forwarder.
Robert ChenYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customer service consultantConsult
Special services such as fumigation treatment of goods, animal and plant quarantine, etc. will also incur additional charges. When the freight forwarder provides these services, they will charge according to the relevant regulations and actual operation costs.