International Freight Forwarding
An international freight forwarder (often just forwarder) is a third party logistics provider. As a third party (or non asset based) provider a forwarder dispatches shipments via asset-based carriers and books or otherwise arranges space
for those shipments. Carrier types include waterborne vessels, airplanes, trucks or railroads.
Freight forwarders typically arrange cargo movement to an international destination. Also referred to as international freight forwarders, they have the expertise that allows them to prepare and process the documentation and perform
related activities pertaining to international shipments. Some of the typical information reviewed by a freight forwarder is the commercial invoice, shipper's export declaration, bill of lading and other documents required by the carrier
or country of export, import, or transshipment. Much of this information is now processed in a paperless environment.
International Freight Forwarder Roles
USA
In the U.S., a freight forwarder involved with international ocean shipping is licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission as an Ocean Transportation Intermediary. Similarly, freight forwarders that handle air freight will frequently be
accredited with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a cargo agent.
UK
In the U.K., freight forwarders are not licensed, but many are members of the British International Freight Association (BIFA). Freight forwarders in the UK consolidate various goods from different consignors into one full load for road
transport to Europe, this is often known as groupage. Some freight forwarders offer additional related services like export packing and case making. The regulations regarding exporting untreated timber pallets and cases has got
increasingly more strict and many for countries an exporter will be expected to provide a phytosanitary certificate or risk the expense of having their cargo fumigated.
Australia
In Australia most licensed Customs Clearance Agents (now more commonly referred to as Customs Brokers), operate under a freight forwarder.
Ireland
Even in smaller markets, such as Ireland, the role of freight forwarders is strategically important. International merchandise trade is worth €148 billion to the Irish economy [2]. 82% of manufactured products are exported, further
highlighting the importance of the freight forwarders to a nations' economy. Associations like the Irish International Freight Association and FIATAhelp maintain the professionalism of this industry through educational and representative
roles. The FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding is an example of how this can be achieved.
Nigeria
Nigeria is a very large market dealing with import and export. Freight-forwarding in Nigeria has been in place since the exporting of groundnut as a cash crop since 1914, though not initially as freight forwarding but as the means of
transportation of both goods and services from one country to another. Following the methodology of their British forebears, agents were used to facilitate the transport of goods and services.
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