More and more businesses are relying on Freight Forwarding to aid in their shipping schedules. There are many benefits that freight forwarders bring, and the synergistic effect of combining a variety of Freight Forwarding services cannot be overstated. Freight Forwarding takes the pressure off of a company to work out the complex logistics of shipping to specific areas of the world, making it easier to extend and expand your shipping network. Freight Forwarders also have connections with agencies around the globe that make clearing customs and inland transportation easier. With so many great reasons to work with freight forwarders, new businesses may wonder where to begin and how long the process will take. That is why we have written this quick guide to freight forwarding.

Step One: Finding A Freight Forwarder & Getting A Quote

Of course, the first step in the process is selecting a freight forwarder. In the past, we wrote a guide on finding a freight forwarder, but in general, you are looking for experience, services, and a team that understands your goals/budget. Once you have found a freight forwarder, you will need to discuss the logistics with your shipment and get a quote. At Bruning International, we offer a variety of helpful services including crating, warehousing, consolidation, breakbulk, and more. Depending on what you need, our team will be able to get a quote for you and discuss the specific logistics of your project. If you have a project in mind, you can use the form at the bottom of this article.

Step Two: Initial Transportation of Goods

Bruning International handles both import and export freight. Depending on which type of freight you need the process steps will be mirrored in a sense. For this article, we will be covering the steps of an export. The first step is to bring the goods to our warehouse in Holbrook, Massachusetts, or to another local warehouse. If you are using our custom crating service, we provide that either at our location or on-site anywhere in the northeast. Depending on a business’ proximity to a warehouse location, this step can take a few days to a couple of weeks.

Step Three: Export & Import Customs Clearance

Once your goods are in freight forwarders’ possession they will check and inventory the goods to make sure that everything is in order. After that, they will begin the process of customs clearance if the shipment is being shipped internationally. Not all freight forwarders offer customs clearance services. In those cases, you will need to work with a third-party customs broker service. However, Bruning International handles both export and import customs clearance. Before a shipment leaves the country it has to be cleared by the company of origin. It will also need to be cleared by the destination country in order to continue on. Our team handles all of the logistical work and forms needed to clear customs.

Step Four: Arrival & Handling

When a shipment arrives at the port or terminal in its destination country, there are a few things it will need next. At this point, all outstanding documentation, carrier bills, and other holdups will need to be handled before the shipment can be moved inland. All of these processes are handled by Bruning International.

Step Five: Inland Transportation

The final step of shipping is bringing the shipment inland to its final destination. Cargo will need to be brought from the shipping port or terminal that it arrived in and either attached to a truck or another inland transportation vessel. Not all freight forwarders provide inland transportation services, and in many cases, it is on the company to find a third party shipper, but at Bruning International, we make sure to handle your goods from your building to their final destination.

Get A Quote From Bruning International

If you are interested in getting a quote for your import or export shipment, fill out the form below. Our team handles imports from all over the world as well as exporting to almost any country. Every shipping project is unique which is why the only reliable way to know how long it will take is to have an experienced freight forwarder go through the project with you. If you have any questions about the services we provide feel free to contact us online.