How to Find a Shipping Agent Company
Shipping agent companies are a vital component of international trade. They prepare cargo documents, arrange port clearance, negotiate rates for stevedoring and tugs, attend to crewmembers’ needs, and more.
The digitalization of the maritime sector brings new opportunities and challenges for traditional roles. For example, ship operators need enhanced situational awareness in ports.
Identify Your Needs
If you want to find a good shipping agent company, it’s important that you first understand what your needs are. For example, you should know what product types and shipment sizes you ship on a regular basis. This will help you choose an agent who has experience in your industry and can handle your specific needs without trouble.
A reliable shipping agent company is committed to offering genuine value to the businesses it represents. This can be done in a variety of ways, including cutting costs, shortening turnaround times and acting preemptively to minimise the impact of new rules.
It’s also a good idea to find an agent that offers a range of shipping services. For example, some agents will specialize in international shipping, while others may focus on domestic shipping. Some may even have their own warehouses, which means they can offer a full suite of freight services. They can handle everything from managing EDI processes to making sure that shipments get to the correct berths. This allows them to streamline the entire process and provide a single point of contact for customers.
Get Quotes
Shipping is a complex business and prices are dependent on many variables. Freight carriers’ schedules, fuel price escalation and operating permits are just a few of the many factors that influence how much it will cost to ship your product. Getting accurate freight quotes is critical to ensure you don’t have any surprises along the way.
uShip provides personalized freight quotes for large items from multiple carriers in one place. All you need to do is provide a few details about your shipment and it will generate quotes for air or sea freight transport by both LTL and FCL.
To get an accurate quote, shipping agent company you will need to have some key information ready, such as the origin and destination address, freight class, accessorial fees, and correct dimensions of your shipment. Providing this information accurately can help you save up to 75% on shipping costs.
It is also important to consider the time of year when you need your freight shipped. Peak shipping seasons, such as the lead up to Chinese New Year or Christmas, can impact your rate.
Negotiate Rates
Shipping is a significant expense for any company, but efficient freight negotiations can dramatically reduce that cost. It’s critical to know your operating costs and desired profit margins in order to negotiate rates effectively.
Historical data is extremely useful during this process. This information can be pulled from your warehouse management system or order fulfillment software, and it paints a clear picture of base rates, shipping fees, and surcharges.
Be wary of settling for rates that don’t offer a competitive advantage. You may have been able to save on the base rate, but you could be losing out on local haulage and accessorials.
It’s also important to have an accurate forecast of your annual shipping volumes. Carriers are often more willing to offer discounts for consistent business customers. Finally, be sure to read the fine print in carrier contracts carefully. They might include hidden requirements, such as minimum volumes, that could significantly increase your shipping costs over time. This is why a professional, third-party enterprise shipping system with robust rate shopping technology is often a smart investment.
Be Wary of Large Agents
Shipping has long been one of the most popular methods of transporting items between continents. This mode of transportation accounts for about 90% of all international trade. Yet, there are many people who don’t know the true nature of shipping agencies.
In a nutshell, shipping agents are mandataries of the companies that hire them. These professionals take care of the entry, permanence, and departure of a ship in a given port, ensuring that everything is arranged with the respective authorities.
Moreover, these experts supply the crew of a ship with relevant operational information, and defend their legal interests at the port or harbor. They also make sure that the vessel has a complete coverage in case of an accident.
Furthermore, a good shipping agent is capable of negotiating the best conditions for its clients. For example, it may be able to get discounts on bulk shipments or lower rates for airfreight. In addition, it should have a wide network of delivery locations. For small and mid-sized businesses, this is a crucial point. After all, they don’t want to incur demurrage and detention fees, which are costs associated with keeping a shipment in a port for more than the legally authorized time.
Know Your Limits
A shipping agent takes care of all the necessary tasks to UPS battery service ensure a ship’s safe arrival at its destination port. They also play a critical role in facilitating the process of customs clearance by ensuring all documents are in order. In addition to this, they provide logistical support for businesses with less complex supply chains. They also help companies with the documentation required to clear customs and obtain permits.
A reliable shipping agent is committed to providing genuine value for their clients. This can be done by reducing turnaround times, cutting costs, and acting preemptively to minimise the impact of new rules.
In addition, a good shipping agent will have a thorough knowledge of local ports and their specific conditions. This includes climatic, structural, and tidal conditions. This will allow them to offer a wide range of services, and provide customers with cost-effective solutions. They may even suggest ideas for cutting expenses and speeding up the turn-around time for a port visit. In this way, they will continue to attract new business and retain existing clients.
