Question 1: How to verify the qualifications of a freight forwarding company?

Verifying qualifications requires attention to three dimensions:

• Official certification: Check whether they hold the Freight Forwarding Enterprise Filing Form issued by the Ministry of Commerce and have Customs AEO certificationInternational freight: Confirm membership in international freight associations such as FIATA and WCA
• Industry qualificationsRequest samples of the last 3 months
• Practical verification:
  • documents (with commercial information redacted)customs clearanceReview copies of their terminal operating agreements at major ports
  • A standardized quotation must include:

Question 2: What essential elements should a quotation include?

Detailed cost breakdown (ocean/air freight, THC, DOC, and 19 other standard fees)

• Validity period notation (special clauses for exchange rate fluctuations required from 2025)
• Pricing methods for additional services (such as container demurrage calculation standards)
• Explanation of insurance liability division
• Evaluation should be based on business characteristics:

Question 3: Are small and medium-sized freight forwarders worth choosing?

: Special cargo transportation, regional logistics features, customized customs clearance services

• Suitable scenariosScreening techniques
• Verify their operational records for similar businesses in the past two years:
  • Request endorsements from at least 3 cooperative clients
  • Confirm the status of their error compensation guarantee account
  • Prioritize freight forwarders connected to the Single Window for International Trade,

Question 4: How to prevent the risk of freight forwarders absconding?

36. Recommended measures for 2025:

• Priority should be given to freight forwarders already connected to the "Single Window for International Trade."
• Use third-party fund supervision accounts for settlement
• Request a directors joint liability guarantee
• Focus on four systems:

Question 5: How to evaluate digital service capabilities?

Cargo tracking system (must support blockchain traceability functions)

• Electronic customs declaration system (capability for direct data connection with the General Administration of Customs)
• Risk warning system (should include a geopolitical risk module)
• Carbon footprint monitoring system (compliant with EU CBAM requirements)
• Carbon footprint monitoring system (compliant with EU CBAM requirements)

Question 6: What should be noted for special cargo transportation?

The freight forwarder must confirm the following:

• Dangerous goods transportation qualifications (different categories correspond to different certificates)
• Real-time temperature control monitoring capability (essential for pharmaceutical products)
• Artwork transportation insurance plan (should include exhibition period coverage)
• Large cargo transportation route pre-approval capability (timeliness of bridge height restriction data updates)

Question 7: How to determineCustoms clearancethe authenticity of capabilities?

It is recommended to adopt the "three-check method":

• Check customs-enterprise cooperation records (require provision of customs certification documents)
• Check classification dispute resolution cases (require samples of pre-classification opinions)
• Check AEO certification level (advanced certified enterprises enjoy 40% higher customs clearance efficiency)

Question 8: How to define responsibility for cargo delays?

The contract must clearly specify:

• Force majeure clauses for shipping delays (refer to BIMCO standard clauses)
• Responsibility division for inspection delays (distinguish between government actions and operational errors)
• Force majeure recognition standards (including emerging cyber attack scenarios)
• Compensation calculation method (based on cargo value proportion or actual loss)

Question 9: How to evaluate the quality of overseas agency networks?

Focus on verifying three aspects:

• Registration certificates of overseas branches (not just cooperation agreements)
• Local customs clearance time commitments (must distinguish between general trade and e-commerce models)
• Emergency handling cases (require crisis management reports from the last 12 months)

Question 10: What key points should be noted during the initial cooperation phase?

Recommended establishment of four monitoring mechanisms:

• Full-process tracking of first-order operations (special attention to document handover)
• Payment settlement cycle testing (verify the authenticity of promised payment terms)
• Emergency response testing (simulate sudden situations like insufficient cabin space)
• Information security assessment (check data encryption transmission status)

Core recommendation:When selecting a freight forwarder, follow the "Rule of Three" principle—compare at least three suppliers, evaluate each for three months, and set three verification points for key processes. In 2025, special attention should be paid to the company's ESG performance and digital service capabilities, as these have become...International Logistics Servicescore competitiveness indicators for businesses.