Is overseas freight forwarding considered import and export business?
Solved#Freight forwarding#
I'm recently considering entering international trade-related work but don't quite understand overseas freight forwarding. I'd like to ask: does overseas freight forwarding count as import/export? I've learned that overseas freight forwarding mainly handles cargo transportation arrangements, customs clearance, etc., but how does this differ from actual import/export business? Does participating in overseas freight forwarding mean you're doing import/export business? Hope industry experts can explain in detail.
Professional consultant answers
Amanda YangYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Cost control consultantConsult
Overseas freight forwarding itself is not import/export business. Import/export primarily refers to cross-border commodity trading involving transfer of ownership - it's a trade activity. Overseas freight forwarding is service-oriented, providing logistics and related services to import/export companies.
The responsibility of overseas freight forwarding is to help importers/exporters arrange cargo transportation, such as selecting appropriate shipping methods (sea/air freight), booking space, handling customs clearance, inspection procedures, etc. They don't own the goods, just facilitate cross-border transportation.
For example, Company A imports electronics from abroad using Zhongshitong as freight forwarder. Zhongshitong handles transportation and customs clearance, but the actual trade occurs between Company A and foreign suppliers. Company A is the import/export business entity, while Zhongshitong merely provides services. Thus, overseas freight forwarding serves import/export business but isn't import/export itself.
Joseph ZhouYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior foreign trade managerConsult
No, import/export involves goods trading while overseas freight forwarding just handles transportation, like a moving company that only transports items between locations without involvement in trade.
Robert ChenYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customer service consultantConsult
Overseas freight forwarding isn't import/export. Import/export is commodity trading while freight forwarding supports transportation without ownership transfer, just assisting with shipping matters.
William YangYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
International logistics consultantConsult
Definitely not. Overseas freight forwarding mainly deals with logistics operations while import/export involves commercial activities like trade contracts and pricing - they're quite different.
Sarah ZhangYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Document expertConsult
Not import/export. Overseas freight forwarding focuses on cargo transportation including route planning and transport arrangement, which differs from actual goods trading in import/export.
Jennifer WangYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Market development consultantConsult
Overseas freight forwarding differs from import/export. Import/export companies bear commercial risks while forwarders assume transportation risks, only providing shipping services, so it's not import/export.
James LiuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign trade tax refund consultantConsult
No, import/export involves goods sales/purchases while overseas freight forwarding provides transportation services for import/export operations - different concepts.
David LiYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Senior customs declaration consultantConsult
Overseas freight forwarding isn't import/export. It merely provides services during international cargo transportation, while import/export is commercial activity involving ownership transfer.
Andrew HuangYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Supply chain optimization expertConsult
Can't simply equate overseas freight forwarding with import/export. Import/export is trade activity while freight forwarding provides transportation/customs services within logistics service scope.
Elizabeth LiYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Compliance and risk managerConsult
Overseas freight forwarding isn't import/export business. It serves import/export operations like an intermediary, helping complete cargo transportation processes.