Shipping goods from one place to another is a long-practiced business that has become quite efficient as a result. Finding a good freight forwarding company to ship your freight from any part of the world to another is not a difficult task, however, it may require a good load of research and evaluation to choose the best in the market.
We will take you through some of the basic things you need to consider when choosing a freight forwarding company in Nigeria. When looking for a freight forwarding company to handle your shipments, it helps to be as informed as possible.
You may want to hire a regular carrier, but they won't always offer all the options you need. A full-service freight forwarding company will, in addition to making recommendations regarding which carrier would best suit your needs, also manage the complete supply chain process for you.
What is a freight forwarder?
A freight forwarder is a company that handles all of the paperwork, customs arrangements, and other duties involved in moving goods from one place to another.
Why Consider a Freight Forwarding Company?
The most common reason for using a freight forwarder is that most regular shipping companies don’t offer other vital services you may need in processing the legality of your goods in your country and abroad.
These companies may or may not deal with customs declarations or import tax issues, so you need to find a third party who can take care of these things for you.
Freight forwarding companies may also provide insurance for your goods and help you find the best shipping means for whatever it is that you're importing (for example, if you're importing machinery or machinery parts).
Freight forwarding companies help you save on costs by:
- Providing tracking service for your shipment
- Transporting your items on their own trailers and trucks
- Handling customs inspections and other paperwork at the destination country's port of entry
- Moving your shipments from the origin country to the destination country without paying unnecessary additional fees.
Why is it important to choose the right Freight Forwarder in Nigeria
When you need freight forwarding services, you want to get the best and most reliable service for your business. You want a company that can handle all your shipments and provides you with the best possible service. This is why choosing the right freight forwarder in Nigeria is so important.
If you don't choose a company that specializes in full services, then they may not be able to offer the type of service that you need and expect from them.
There are many reasons why it's important to choose a full-service freight forwarder in Nigeria. First of all, they will be able to provide more than just one type of shipment. They can handle all sorts of shipments including small packages and bulk goods as well as large items such as machinery or equipment.
Choosing a Freight Forwarding Company in Nigeria
Here are 7 things to consider when choosing the best freight forwarding company in Nigeria.
1. Experience and Reputation
Experience and reputation are two of the most important factors to consider when choosing a freight forwarder. The longer a company has been in business, the more likely it is to have developed a reputation as an industry leader. A company with a solid reputation will likely be able to offer you the best freight forwarding services at an affordable price.
2. Customer Service
Customers should expect that their freight forwarder has been in business for some time and preferably for at least a decade, which means they will be able to provide excellent customer service. It is important that your freight forwarder knows how to handle any problems or issues that may arise during shipping, so you can rest assured that everything will go smoothly on your end.
3. Flexibility
Flexibility is another important factor when choosing a freight forwarder in Nigeria because it allows you to choose from several options depending on what suits your needs best. If you need help getting your items from one country to another, then a standard package might not be ideal for you as it may not allow for any customization or special handling needed by customers in certain countries outside of Nigeria or other parts of Africa where customs regulations are stricter than those found in North America or Europe.
4. Cost
The cost of shipping a package is another relevant factor to consider. You should be able to get an estimate of the cost before you decide on which company to use. You can get free quotes within a few hours on our website and from other reputable companies in the industry. This helps ensure that you get the best value for money, without paying too much. You should also find out how much they charge is per kilogram or pound. This can vary widely depending on the service being provided and how many packages they hold at any one time. If you’re planning on sending a lot of packages with the same freight forwarder, it may be worth looking into their rates per package.
5. Adequate Fleet
The freight forwarder should have a fleet that is capable of handling all your cargo and supplies. A company with a large fleet will be able to handle any size or type of cargo you need to move. If your shipment is too big for one container, then there is no need to worry because they will find the right number of containers to fit your needs. There should also be enough manpower to handle all shipments, while also having enough trucks to transport cargo from one location to another. The best companies will have all types of inventory required.
6. Fulfillment Service
A good freight forwarding company should be able to provide you with a fulfillment service so that you don’t have to worry about any paperwork or documentation at the destination point. This means that they will be able to provide you with everything that is necessary for customs clearance and all other formalities at each point along the way. You don’t want any issues during this process, so it is important to choose a company that has experience in handling this type of work properly.
7. Good Company PR
The staff members at the freight forwarding company should be professional and knowledgeable about their job responsibilities. This means that they should be able to answer any questions you may have about their services, as well as make recommendations on which suppliers are best suited for your particular needs based on what they know about your business.
8. Technology and Automation
Modern technologies allow companies to track shipments from start to finish, which allows them to provide better service and delivery times. Also, this technology allows for faster communication between the customer and the freight forwarder. As a result, it is now possible for businesses to do their own freight forwarding and have a single point of contact for all their shipments. For example, The Nigerian e-Customs technology systems can also help you process customs paperwork more quickly by eliminating the need for manual forms and documents. Automation reduces manual labor costs as well as time spent processing paperwork.
Conclusion
Shippers should be mindful of all the aspects mentioned in this guide. This will help ensure that there is no issue after the contract has been concluded. Exporters and importers alike should also take time to understand their rights and responsibilities when it comes to freight forwarding in Nigeria. They may find that the rewards—peace of mind, fewer complications, and more savings—outweigh the risks. Perhaps a better understanding of the industry will lead to more seamless operations for many more companies looking to import or export Nigerian goods.
