What would you ask a backup forwarder before giving them the first shipment?
If you're adding a second forwarder for busy periods, what would you check beyond their freight rate?
All questionsLogistics
6 replies
- Find out who handles the shipment after the salesperson wins it. I'd want a real operations contact and an escalation route before cargo is ready.
- Ask for a sample quote with inclusions and exclusions clearly marked. You learn a lot from how they explain destination charges.
- Check experience with the specific cargo and lane. Being good at ordinary dry freight doesn't automatically mean being good at oversized or regulated goods.
- I would start with a manageable shipment, then review communication, documents and final billing. A successful test needs more than an on-time vessel. Did they flag the missing information early, explain a changed date and invoice what was agreed? Those details tell you whether this is a partner you can trust when the next shipment is difficult, not just whether one sailing happened to work out.
- Agree on the information they need from you and when. The first shipment is easier if neither side assumes the other is handling a filing or instruction.
- Ask how they report a missed milestone. A calm explanation with options is more valuable than a perfect-looking tracking page that updates too late.
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