Freight forwarding for small business is one of the simplest ways to compete with bigger players on international trade. A good forwarder cuts your costs, improves delivery and gives you the know-how to import and export with confidence, without hiring a logistics team. Here are five ways working with a freight forwarder like Sneddens benefits a small business.
1. Save time and money
Without a freight forwarder, a small business has to deal separately with trucking companies, customs brokers, and air or sea carriers. That means vetting each one, comparing prices and chasing several invoices. A freight forwarder brings it all together. You keep full control of your shipments, but you have one point of contact and one bill. That simplicity is the biggest benefit of freight forwarding for small business.
Forwarders also buy freight space in volume across many customers, so a small business can access rates it would struggle to negotiate on its own. Lower freight rates are one of the clearest wins of freight forwarding for small business.
2. More freight options
Working with a freight forwarder opens up a much wider range of transport options. Depending on your goods, budget and deadline, that could be sea freight as a full container (FCL) or a shared container (LCL), air freight for urgent cargo, or international couriers for small parcels. You choose between door-to-door and port-to-port service, and your forwarder helps you find the most cost-effective option for each shipment.
3. Extend your network overseas
A freight forwarder’s network lets a small business build an international presence much faster. Instead of setting up its own overseas warehousing or transport, a small business can use the agents and partners its forwarder already works with.
Before choosing, check how strong a forwarder’s network is in the countries you trade with. Does it have reliable agents in your suppliers’ or customers’ cities? Sneddens is a member of the GLA and GFP global forwarding networks, giving us vetted partners around the world. See the countries we trade with.
4. International trade knowledge
Rules and documentation are where small businesses most often get caught out. A freight forwarder knows the paperwork, duties, taxes, packaging rules and carrier requirements for each trade lane, and keeps up with changes. Missing a regulation change can mean delays, storage charges or even goods being sent back.
A forwarder with in-house customs brokerage can also handle your import clearance, so your goods are released quickly and duties are calculated correctly. New to trading internationally? Our importing guide and exporting guide walk through the basics.
5. Support when things go wrong
Port congestion, weather delays and missing paperwork happen. A good freight forwarder spots problems early, keeps you informed and offers alternatives, such as switching an urgent part of an order to air freight. For a small business with tight cash flow and demanding customers, that support can be the difference between a minor delay and a lost sale.
Choosing a freight forwarder for your small business
- Experience with your type of goods and the countries you trade with
- Customs brokerage in-house, so clearance is handled in one place
- Clear quotes that show exactly what is included
- Good communication, with a named person you can call
- Cargo insurance options to protect your goods in transit
Understanding trade terms helps too. Our guide to Incoterms explains who pays for what, and The Training Team, the dedicated training arm of Sneddens, runs freight forwarding and Incoterms courses if you want your team to learn the fundamentals.
Freight forwarding for small business with Sneddens
Sneddens is an independent, New Zealand owned freight forwarder with more than 20 years in business. With no branch-to-branch obligations, we choose the best agent for each shipment and tailor the balance of cost and speed to what your business needs.
New to importing? NZ Customs import guidance explains the basics of clearing goods into New Zealand, and we can handle it for you.
Talk to us about freight forwarding for your small business. Call 0800 76 33 33, email info@sneddens.co.nz or request a free quote.