Steps for choosing the best package forwarding company

Online shopping is now an important part or form of e-commerce allowing the buyers to

purchase their desired products/goods or services from the seller or service provider at the

click of a mouse over internet. The online shopping has opened the door for products

produced in the United States in a big way, as these products (especially electronic ones)

are available at much cheaper cost than in any other places around the globe and that are

more superior. However, the main barrier faced by the online shoppers or buyers for

purchasing these products is that majority of U.S. based online retailers or stores do not

provide shipping services outside of U.S. Even those who provide as such, their

international shipping service rates are very high.

Then the alternative available for online shoppers is hiring the services of package

forwarding service companies or service providers who have expertise in delivering the

product in separate packages or as a consolidated package at the doorstep of the buyer

residing in any part of the world. The package or parcel forwarding service providers

costs relatively lower than overseas shipping services. The other important or unique

advantage of parcel forwarding service providers is that they provide their registered

buyers or members with a local U.S. mail forwarding address and with that address; the

buyer can do online shopping with more than one online shopping portals based in U.S. The

merchandize is then delivered to that mail forwarding address from where the parcel

forwarding service provider will collect or get the product packaged and delivered to their

members (buyers/clients) original address.

For getting the services of parcel forwarding service provider, the buyer has to register

with the service provider after which the buyer gets the forwarding address where the

buyer can get his/her products delivered. Once the product reaches the address, the service

provider would make necessary arrangements for shipping the product to their registered

members (buyers) address located in different parts of the world. A customer or buyer

interested in utilizing and hiring the services of these service providers must look into the

following aspects as mentioned below:

• Have good network of global agents: A buyer must choose that company or

service provider that has an excellent network of agents at the destination ports

that will enable the buyer to have better flow of information about the delivery

status of their products. In other words, a proper logistics management must be in

place.

• Specify requirements and needs: The buyer must be able to determine his/her

needs such as value, weight and size of the goods that would help the buyer in

arriving at an accurate freight quotes when giving the shipping details to the

service provider. Majority of service providers have international shipping

calculators on their websites to help buyers in calculating the weight and

international shipping costs of their package.

• Check the background and financial status: The buyer before making

commitment to hire the services of a particular service provider must check the

firms/company’s financial strength. This is necessary because sometimes the

forwarder may fail to pay the ocean carrier or flight carrier resulting in delay in

release of the cargo. In such case, the buyer may have to pay other charges such

as demur rage and detention. These are some of the steps needed to be taken

before selecting the best package forwarding company.