What exactly does an import/export freight forwarder do?

Freight forwarders, acting as the "transportation stewards" of international trade, have core functions that can be summarized as:

• Transportation solution designPlanning optimal sea-land-air combined transportation routes based on cargo characteristics
• Document processingPreparing 18 types of customs clearance documents including bills of lading, certificates of origin, and insurance policies
• Customs coordinationHandling HS code classification, tariff pre-review, AEO certification and other matters
• Risk controlArranging cargo insurance and handling transportation accident claims

II.International freightWhat are the fundamental differences from logistics companies?

The core differences are reflected in:

• Scope of Services:
  • Freight forwarder: Integrates resources from shipping companies/airlines/trucking companies
  • Logistics company: Typically owns transportation vehicles and warehouses
• Legal status:
  • The freight forwarder assumes the responsibility of a "contracting carrier" (FIATA Standard Trading Conditions).
  • Logistics company as actual carrier is bound by CMR Convention

What new changes should be considered when choosing a freight forwarder in 2025?

Based on the digitalization process of international trade, it is recommended to focus on evaluating:

• The digital capacityWhether blockchain bills of lading and smart customs clearance systems are supported
• Green logisticsCarbon emission calculation and carbon-neutral transportation solutions
• Emergency networkAlternative transportation route reserves for geopolitical risk mitigation
• Compliance systemU.S. FMC filing, EU GDPR data compliance certification

Fourth,International freightWhat projects include agency costs?

Typical cost composition for 2025 (40HQ container)The containerThe Maritimeas an example):

• Basic costsOcean freight + bunker adjustment factor (currently about 65% of total cost)
• Port miscellaneous feesTHC/ORC/documentation fees (about 20%)
• Value Added ServicesFumigation/strengthening/cold chain monitoring (about 15%)
• Unexpected expensesDemurrage/war risk surcharges etc.

How to avoid common freight forwarding pitfalls?

Based on 20 years of industry experience, the following measures are recommended:

• Qualification verificationVerify FIATA membership qualifications and actual registered capital
• Contract TermsPay special attention to liability limitation clauses and insurance coverage
• Cost auditRequest official adjustment letters for surcharges like BAF/YAS
• Process MonitoringRegularly obtain container GPS tracking information

What innovations exist in freight forwarding services in the digital era?

Industry leaders in 2025 have achieved:

• Smart booking systemReal-time integration with data from 82 major global ports
• Blockchain applicationAverage e-BL processing time reduced to 2 hours
• IoT monitoringTemperature-controlled container data updated every 15 minutes
• AI risk warningPredicting port congestion probability 14 days in advance