You have several options to consider
if you plan to ship your office furniture and equipment locally. However, if
you are dealing with an international shipment, you may have two choices to
choose from; sea freight and air freight forwarder. If you
are pretty unsure of what you must choose, here are some prime factors that can
affect your decision.
Things to Consider When Choosing Your Freight Forwarder
Sending shipments abroad could be a
complex process. However, it is still a must for a company that is planning to relocate. To guarantee that everything will be hassle-free, streamlined,
and seamless, we've listed the top things that the company must consider when
choosing their freight forwarder.
The Cost
The shipment cost is always
the prime consideration of companies planning to hire freight companies. You
need to know the estimated expenses that you might incur since they can affect
your business. You must know which of these two services will cost you more.
Usually, sea freight forwarder are much more affordable than air freight.
Nonetheless, the cost will still depend upon various factors.
How Freight
Forwarder Charges their Clients
When sending your furniture
and other supplies abroad, you need to understand how these freight companies charge
their clients. Generally, air freight frowarder will charge you
depending on the weight of the shipment or what we call a chargeable weight. It
is based on the combination of the weight and the size of your shipment. Sea freight
companies may charge you depending on the quantity of the container. The rates
will depend upon the cost of the standard size of the container. If you are
shipping things that are lesser than the container's load, the company will
compute your charge according to the cubic meter. Therefore, expect to incur a higher
fee if you have a more oversized shipment.
Destination Charge
Most freight companies
will also charge you depending on your shipment's destination. Usually, sea
freight forwarders have a cheaper cost than air freight service. Nonetheless,
you should still consider the price that the warehouse and customs will impose
since they can augment your expenses dramatically.
Speed
In matters related to speed,
air freight forwarders will be unmatched. Understand that in any type of
business, time is all about money. If you choose ocean freight, it is typical for
the shipment to reach more than a month. Understand that you can't afford to delay
your company's production. If you are moving household items and not in a rush,
sea freight could be an excellent choice. However, things are expected to be
faster in the future as new technology is developed to streamline the process. New
routes are being established to ensure that your shipment will arrive at the
destination in as little as eight days. Nonetheless, expect that this will
incur additional charges.
Reliability
Air freight forwarder
also offers more benefits in terms of reliability. There are instances when
the shipment will be delayed due to weather disturbances and other conditions,
but these companies make it a point to stick to their schedule. Ocean freight companies
will encounter many risks, and more factors can lead to delays in the process.
They must follow a strict schedule when leaving ports. After determining the
cost and understanding how the freight company charges, you should also pay
attention to the time. If you need to send a time-sensitive shipment, ocean freight
service may not be an excellent option. The unpredictable delays are more
apparent in ocean freight.
The Cargo
One reason companies are
using maritime shipping is that it allows you to send bulky packages
hassle-free. The weight and size will have certain restrictions when using air
freight. There are also limitations on sending products that are considered
hazardous. For instance, you may not be allowed to send corrosive, toxic, and
flammable products. Air freight forbids magnetic items, chemicals, and items detrimental
to public health.
Safety
Apart from the cost and
time, the companies need to guarantee that the shipment will reach the
destination safely. If not, then there are some logistical challenges that the
freight companies will have to address. Both maritime and air freight
forwarder will involve human intervention, especially securing and handling
the shipment. It is a given that man-handling will often include the possibility
of acquiring damage. Sea transporters must follow a strict rule when packaging
the cargo, while on air freight, the airport authorities have specific
regulations when handling packages.
Convenience
The accessibility of the
shipment is another factor to consider when choosing between air and sea freight
companies. Understand that the world is better connected by air than the sea
due to the number of airports available worldwide. Air transporters also have a
better and well-defined procedure, which helps in reducing downtime. Seaports
are known for dealing with heavy traffic, which will prompt you to incur extra
charges.
Generally, the choice
between the ocean and sea freight forwarder will depend upon your needs
and preference. It will be challenging to determine the better option since they
both excel in their own rights. Consider your conditions and the factors
mentioned here to understand which is more suitable for you.
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