International freight forwarding is the process of coordinating the movement of goods between countries. It involves more than simply booking cargo with a shipping line or airline. A shipment may require transportation planning, documentation, customs coordination, cargo handling and delivery arrangements.
A freight forwarder helps bring these different parts together, making it easier for businesses to manage international shipments.
What Is International Freight Forwarding?
International freight forwarding is the coordination of goods moving from one country to another.
A freight forwarder generally works with carriers and logistics providers to arrange the transportation of cargo according to the shipment’s requirements. Depending on the goods and destination, this may involve sea freight or air freight, along with other supporting logistics services.
The forwarder acts as a coordinator between the business shipping the goods and the different parties involved in the journey.
How Does International Freight Forwarding Work?t
Although every shipment is different, the process usually involves several key stages:
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Shipment Planning | Cargo details, origin, destination and requirements are reviewed |
| Freight Booking | Suitable sea or air freight is arranged |
| Documentation | Required shipping and commercial documents are coordinated |
| Customs | Customs-related requirements are managed or coordinated |
| Transportation | Cargo moves through the selected freight network |
| Tracking | Shipment progress can be monitored through available tracking systems |
| Delivery | Final transportation and delivery arrangements are completed |
The exact process depends on the type of cargo, shipping route, destination and service selected.
What Does an International Freight Forwarder Do?
A freight forwarder’s role can cover several parts of an international shipment.
Freight Booking and Coordination
The freight forwarder coordinates with relevant carriers to arrange transportation. For international shipments, this may include booking air freight or sea freight based on the shipment’s requirements.
Shipping Documentation
International shipments require accurate information and documentation. A freight forwarder helps coordinate the documents required for the transportation process.
Customs Coordination
Goods crossing international borders must meet the customs requirements of the destination and, where applicable, the origin country.
A freight forwarder may provide customs brokerage services or coordinate with customs professionals to support this part of the shipment.
Cargo Consolidation
Not every shipment needs an entire container. LCL (Less than Container Load) allows cargo to be consolidated with other shipments, while FCL (Full Container Load) is used when a full container is required.
| Freight Type | Generally Used For |
|---|---|
| LCL | Cargo that does not require a full container |
| FCL | Cargo requiring a full container |
| Air Freight | Shipments where speed is an important consideration |
| Reefer Container | Cargo requiring temperature-controlled container equipment |
The appropriate option depends on the shipment rather than one method being suitable for every business.
Why Is International Freight Forwarding Important?
International shipments can involve multiple companies, transport stages and regulatory requirements. Managing these individually can become difficult, particularly when a business handles regular imports or exports.
A freight forwarder can help coordinate:
- International transportation
- Carrier arrangements
- Shipping documentation
- Customs requirements
- Cargo consolidation
- Shipment tracking
- Delivery arrangements
This gives businesses a central point for coordinating different aspects of their freight movement.
Sea Freight vs Air Freight
The choice between sea and air freight depends largely on the shipment’s requirements.
| Factor | Sea Freight | Air Freight |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Generally slower | Generally faster |
| Cargo Volume | Suitable for larger shipments | Often suited to smaller or time-sensitive cargo |
| Cost | Often considered for larger-volume shipments | Generally higher for equivalent weight/volume |
| Common Use | International cargo and container shipments | Time-sensitive international shipments |
There is no single option that is best for every shipment. Businesses should consider cargo size, urgency, destination and overall shipping requirements.
What Factors Affect International Freight?
Several factors can influence how an international shipment is arranged:
- Origin and destination: Shipping routes and available services differ between locations.
- Cargo type: The nature of the goods can affect handling and documentation requirements.
- Weight and volume: These can influence the appropriate freight method and cost.
- Urgency: Time-sensitive shipments may require air freight.
- Container requirements: Businesses may choose between LCL and FCL depending on cargo volume.
- Customs requirements: Different countries have different import and export rules.
Providing accurate cargo information at the beginning can help the freight forwarder plan the shipment appropriately.
Tracking International Shipments
Shipment visibility is an important part of international freight forwarding. Depending on the service, tracking systems can provide updates as cargo moves through the freight network.
Stockwells provides a track and trace service through its client portal, giving customers visibility of their consignments in one place.
International Freight Forwarding for Australian Businesses
Australian businesses importing and exporting goods may need to coordinate freight across multiple international routes and logistics providers.
An experienced freight forwarder can help coordinate these requirements, from arranging international sea or air freight to supporting documentation, customs and shipment tracking.
Stockwells has provided freight forwarding services since 1971, with capabilities across air and sea freight, LCL and FCL freight forwarding, buyer’s consolidation, reefer containers and customs brokerage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is international freight forwarding?
International freight forwarding is the coordination of transporting goods between countries, including freight booking, documentation, customs coordination, tracking and delivery arrangements.
What is the role of an international freight forwarder?
An international freight forwarder coordinates different parts of a shipment and works with carriers and logistics providers to arrange the movement of goods.
Is freight forwarding the same as shipping?
No. Shipping generally refers to the transportation of goods, while freight forwarding involves coordinating the transportation and related logistics requirements.
Which is better, air freight or sea freight?
It depends on the shipment. Air freight is generally faster, while sea freight can be suitable for larger international cargo and container shipments.
International freight can involve several stages, from freight booking and documentation to customs and delivery. Stockwells can help coordinate your air and sea freight requirements with experienced freight forwarding support.