Why Is Customer Satisfaction Imperative in Freight Forwarding?
Good customer service typically means providing timely, attentive, upbeat service to a customer, and making sure their needs are met in a manner that reflects positively on the company or business. But how does this translate into the Freight Forwarding sector?
One of the fastest moving and growing sectors in the UK requires good relationship management to keep the wheels and goods moving. Finding a freight forwarding and logistics partner can be tough, especially if you don’t know of the company or its history and it is hard to make decisions based on little information.
Uneek Forwarding provides users access to information like historic reviews from customers, their rating as a logistics partner and other specialisms and accreditations that you may need to take into consideration when choosing your freight forwarding partner.
So what are the advantages of using a freight forwarder?
If you’re new to importing to the UK, or you just want the process to be as simple as possible, you might benefit from using a freight forwarder.
Here are some advantages to consider:
- You’ll only need to deal with one person to arrange your shipment, rather than several different haulage and freight companies
- Many freight forwarders are experts in import/export paperwork and can help you navigate the complex processes involved
- With their local connections, freight forwarders can find service providers all over the globe to complete your shipment
- Freight forwarders can negotiate on shipping, haulage and warehousing costs on your behalf
- Using a freight forwarder offers peace of mind – if something goes wrong, or you need to submit an insurance claim, they should be able to help out
How much does it cost to use a freight forwarder?
When you use a freight forwarder, in most cases, you’ll agree on a quote for the entire end to end process of moving your shipment from its origin to your store or warehouse. That means that the costs are made up of something like 20 different elements on average.
It’s crucial you get an itemised quote from your freight forwarder, so you can see what is – and is not – covered. The core job of a freight forwarder is to arrange the transport logistics associated with your shipment. However, many will also deal with all customs clearance paperwork. It’s important to know exactly what services your chosen provider can offer. You can then compare quotes fairly, before signing a contract with your chosen provider.
On your itemised quote and contract you should see charges for things like these:
- Transport costs – often covering haulage to a port or airport at the supplier location, air or sea freight costs, and local transport in the UK to get to your delivery point. Costs might be calculated using cargo weight or volume – or both.
- Product-specific costs – very heavy items might need a crane for loading, perishable items might require refrigerated transport, or hazardous items could mean additional precautions and licenses are needed.
- Palletisation or packing – Depending on how you’re shipping your items, they might need to be put on pallets to be loaded into a container, or packed for air freight.
- Storage if needed before and after shipping.
- Extra fees for specific routes, such as the Panama Canal, for peak delivery times, or because of the costs incurred when using specific ports.
- Documentation costs, including export and import paperwork.
- Insurance and surcharges to cover things like fluctuations in the price of fuel, or the currency exchange rates
Administration or handling fees
Uneek Forwarding
If you have any questions about this blog or you would like information about how Uneek Forwarding can help your business with Freight Forwarding, please get in touch.
[email protected] / +44 (0) 20 8984 0425
Uneek Forwarding is part of the Uneek Group Ltd