With the rapid development of the Internet, you can do almost everything on the Internet, such as shopping, booking travel tickets, receiving and sending mail… However, when you plan to ship a batch of goods from China to the Philippines, can you What about arranging it alone without entrusting a freight forwarder? The answer is no.

There are many difficulties in arranging international freight by ocean or ocean carrier without a middleman, and many cargo owners choose professional Chinese freight forwarders in order to avoid such difficulties. A good freight forwarder connects shippers with carriers and other suppliers to ship the goods, then tracks the goods throughout the journey, and also offers freight insurance to provide financial protection against loss of goods in transit.

If you do not look for a freight forwarder, but choose to arrange the sea freight yourself, then you usually encounter the following problems——

Lack of influence

Shippers who arrange their own ocean freight have little influence or authority over carriers who do not prioritize shipments. Carriers may charge such customers more and keep their cargo in port longer. A freight forwarder, on the other hand, acts as an intermediary between the shipper and the carrier, ensuring that the shipment goes smoothly, that the carrier handles the cargo safely, and that it arrives on time.

China’s professional freight forwarders basically maintain a huge network of carriers and shipping companies to transport business for them. Their purchasing power also allows them to obtain bulk discounts that can reduce transportation costs. This part of the discount will eventually be reflected on the cargo owner.

Lack of expertise

Shippers often think that all they need to do is arrange transportation to export their goods, only to find themselves in trouble later on due to a lack of relevant expertise. Their cargo may be stranded at the port because the owner has not provided certain required documents to customs.

In some countries, shippers require consulates to provide notarized legal documentation for their shipments. Cargo owners may not know where to obtain this legal document. Even if they did, it would take time to notarize the documents.

Hiring a professional Chinese freight forwarder can avoid the above troubles. A single batch of goods may require bills of lading, commercial invoices, certificates of origin, inspection certificates, export licenses, export declarations, and export packing lists. Properly preparing these documents can avoid customs delays and fines. Freight forwarders are aware of the latest customs regulations in multiple countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, etc., know how to prepare the necessary paperwork, and calculate and pay the required duties and taxes.

Fees and Legal Issues

Shipping without the guidance of a professional freight forwarder can result in shipping errors, resulting in fees and legal issues with customs.

Experienced China freight forwarders maintain a network of customs brokers that can assist with meeting customs regulations and procedures. When issues arise, they can expedite customs clearance to avoid costly fees and legal issues.

Why go it alone when a freight forwarder can help? A freight forwarder can secure better rates, guide your shipment, enable you to comply with customs regulations, and address various potential risks and issues. Focus Global Logistics, a Chinese freight forwarding platform with 21 years of industry experience, is a professional agency for shipping services from China to Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines. For the timeliness of the transportation process, and to save yourself time and effort, you can contact us at any time——TEL: 0755-29303225, E-mail: info@view-scm.com, looking forward to your inquiries!