Starting an import and/or export business? Why not?
With products being manufactured in certain parts of the world for so cheap, it makes more sense to ship them to your own destination and make money out of of them. And, if you live in those parts of the world where you can manufacture products for a fraction of their cost in other countries, then exporting is your sure way to capitalist success.
There is, of course, the critical point of making sure that your goods get to their destination in one piece, without unnecessary delay, and at the lowest possible cost to you. After all, your margin will also depend on that!
That’s where freight forwarding comes into the picture.
Freight forwarding is the business of dealing with the logistics of shipping goods from one point to another. Most of the time, although it is not always the case, shipping involves international borders. It is important to understand, however, that freight forwarders do not do the shipping themselves. Instead, they only act as an intermediary between the shipper and the carrier.
The carrier is the entity that actually owns the fleet of vehicles, vessels, or aircraft as the case may be. It is up to the freight forwarder, however, to ensure that everything goes smoothly and in a timely manner.
It is thus crucial that you choose a knowledgable and reputable freight forwarding service. Not only do they need to have their logistic bases covered – dealing with several carriers, for example – but they also have to be well-versed in international regulations regarding shipments. For example, take a look at the European Customs Information Portal. That’s a summary of some of the most frequently asked questions, but that’s a load of information to digest! The good news is that freight forwarders ought to know those things – you don’t have to know them by heart!
Now, if you are based in Europe, and you want to ship goods – whether to acquire or to receive them – you have a wide variety of options when it comes to freight forwarding partners, one of which is www.1st-european.com. This company is based in the UK, but they have extensive experience in the freight forwarding business internationally. They can provide you with quotes at the outset and ensure your satisfaction.
Before you embark on your import/export business adventure, make sure that you do not only focus on the products that you will be buying or selling. In order to succeed, the shipping of your cargo has to be in good hands. And for that, you need a freight forwarding company that you can trust to deliver. Once you have made that partnership, then you can devote your time and energy to other pressing aspects of your business. Who wouldn’t want that?
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