It is not always simple to find and engage freight forwarders that will suit the need for your import or export to Nigeria. Sometimes the issue is that of expertise in the trade, other times cost is the headache. Certain factors should guide your choice of freight forwarder for optimum satisfaction. This article will discuss a handful of such decision factors.
Read also CONSOLIDATION: SHIPPING LESS –THAN-CONTAINER
FREIGHT FORWARDER: THE CONCEPT OF TOTAL TRANSIT TIME
For the customer, transit time could mean the time taken to bring the cargo from the Shipper to destination port. Alternatively, it is time taken to reach other location in the destination country. Whereas, the freight Forwarder may simply be talking about transport time at sea when he makes mention of transit time. So a word of caution; always make sure of all things. Ask for total transit time, as there is a difference between this and sea transit time.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRANSIT TIME AND TOTAL TRANSIT TIME
To illustrate the concept of total transit time, assuming you are to ship from Aberdeen UK to Nigeria, via the North Sea for example, and your cargo is in any other part of Scotland, with the freight Forwarder at Glasgow. Hence, the total transit time is made of components. Beginning from when the cargo moves to Glasgow at the Forwarder’s warehouse to when it goes to the shipping line. In addition, when the shipping line moves from North Sea to Onne Sea Port Nigeria for example, up until the shipping line hands the cargo to the forwarder at the destination. Finally, the freight forwarder delivers the cargo to the receiver at the destination. The sum total of all the time taken in the stages is what constitutes the actual and total transit time.
Why is it important to give an intelligent estimate of the total transit time? The answer simply put is your schedule for use of the cargo. Do you need imported item for an offshore job in the next production quarter? Instead, will you be shutting down operations temporarily, causing much damage to the project? To choose freight Forwarder with timing that best suit you, you must know when you need goods.
FREIGHT FORWARDER: THE OVERALL COST OF SHIPPING
Make sure you have at least faint idea or know the cost of the overall shipping process, from the export haulage, the export handling, documentation and export clearance, etc. some freight forwarders could start cheaply and become costlier down the line when you have no option of backing out. Asking questions especially with Customs Clearance agents in Nigeria who have experience in dealing with Forwarders or other customers of the Forwarder is not a bad idea.
Read also SUPPLY CHAIN: QUOTATION FOR SHIPPING TO NIGERIA
FREIGHT FORWARDER: WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THE FREIGHT FORWARDER
Do not underestimate ratings and suggestions by those who used the Forwarder in the immediate past. Ratings could be a useful yardstick in measuring the strength of a freight Forwarder. Do not say mine is different. Nothing unique about you except the business is of paramount interest in the international logistics. Besides, the freight Forwarder does not know you before, as to be trusted with naivety.
Read also FORM M NIGERIA: HOW TO PROCESS AND OBTAIN IT
In summary:
In this article, we have talked on a number of factors that could guide your choice of freight Forwarder for your LCL shipment to Nigeria or any other place. However, let us mention that in the import or export to Nigeria, no single freight forwarder is the best. The origin or supply may limit your choices as no single Forwarder is everywhere in the globe. Feel free to consult us for any specialized service.