Whether it’s a one off, or going to be an ongoing contract, if you have stock which needs to be moved long distances you’ll need to research extensively.

The first thing you’ll need to decide is which mode of transportation you want sea, air, road or rail. All have their pros and cons but your stock, time scale, budget and end destination should help narrow this down.

The British international freight association (BIFA) is the official freight association, they aim to promote best practice within the freight industry and you should really think twice before you choose a company who isn’t a member. They cover UK companies who are engaged in the international movement of freight, including road, rail, sea and air, packing, warehouse, customs etc and have around 1,400 members in the UK (a full list can be obtained from their website)

Once you’ve decided which mode of transportation to go with, you’ll need a list of several companies which will cater for your cargo to get several quotes from. To get your list you’ll need to do some thorough research. The best place to start would be with the list on BIFA, then run your list through the Internet and check out their websites (any reputable company should have a website). The longer they’ve been trading the more reliable they’re likely to be, they should also be proud to display testimonials from their website which are always worth checking up on.

Do not simply go with the cheapest quote, choosing a freight provider on price alone isn’t advisable. It may prove prudent to speak to the companies quoting a higher price and simply ask them to explain their quote. Every company should be proud of their prices and they may offer something as standard which the other cheaper companies may charge extra for (for example additional insurance). Although it may take a little longer, email correspondence ensures that everything is in writing which minimises the risks of confusion at a later date.

Check exactly what’s included in all your quotes, fuel charge, customs clearance fees, customs brokerage fees, trucking fees and insurance can all sneak in as hidden extras. Most reputable freight companies (especially those who are members of the BIFA) will have standard liability insurance which covers against compensation claims, even the most competent and reliable freight company can’t help being held up by protesters at ports or traffic delays.

Check what services are provided as standard and which are optional extras, if you’re going for a shipping company, can they collect your product, or do you have to arrange to have it waiting at their depot or port? What’s their turn around time? If you’re shipping half way around the world, next day delivery may not be feasible but it should be if you’re simply trying to ship to Ireland from the main land UK. Do they deliver your products to a specific address or is it left at a port or depot? Most companies should offer a door-to-door service which should take some of the hassle away from you.

If you are a business owner whose bottom line relies on cargo shipping your goods or products to your clients, then you already know just how important it is to find a good international shipping provider. Freight forwarders come in all shapes and sizes, but that does not mean that they all provide the same kind of service or the same level of service. In fact, depending on your industry, you might need to engage the services of a more specialised cargo shipping provider.

Once you have found a competent freight forwarder you might be forgiven for wondering whether that company is doing the best job possible with your international shipments. After all, once your shipment has left your warehouse, there is no real way of knowing how it is being treated by the handlers in charge of your account. However, there are ways of judging the cargo shipping service that you are receiving from your freight forwarders.

Late shipments
One of the most significant signs to watch for when it comes to cargo shipping suppliers is late shipments. There are very few excuses for late shipments and if you find that your shipments are arriving late on a regular basis, then there is something going wrong. Either your freight forwarder is not being honest with you about when the shipments are leaving the home port or they are concealing from you just how many stops it is making before reaching its ultimate destination. Your international shipping provider should be more than willing to address a late shipment. If you are facing late shipments on a consistent basis, then it is time to start looking for another provider.

Damaged Goods
Now it is feasible that once in a while a box of goods might get damaged in transit. However, it is not acceptable for goods to arrive damaged regularly. If this is the case, then the handlers employed by your shipping company are not being careful and the company needs to know this in order to rectify the situation. If your goods continue to arrive damaged after your have complained then, by all means, take your business elsewhere.

Lost/stolen Shipments
Once in a while even the best cargo shipping company will lose a shipment somewhere. Normally the shipment will be located in the wrong port. Occasionally the shipment will never be found. However, lost shipments are a very rare occurrence thanks to stringent tracking methods. If your shipments end up lost frequently then there is either a very big problem with your cargo shipping company or the shipments are being stolen. In either case, it is probably best to find another international shipping provider. It is also best to let your cargo shipping company know why you are taking your business elsewhere.

Cargo shipping is the backbone for many businesses. Finding a good shipping partner can mean peace of mind and the security of knowing that your shipments are in safe hands. All you have to do is to stay vigilant that your shipments are being properly handled and that you are receiving attentive and superior care from your cargo shipping provider.