Choosing The Right Freight Forwarder

Choosing the right freight forwarder shouldn't be just about price, too often, choosing the cheapest option leads to unexpected costs!

When selecting a freight forwarder, many businesses focus on price. But too often, choosing the cheapest option leads to unexpected costs that can erode your profits and damage your reputation. In this article, we’ll explore the hidden costs of choosing the wrong freight forwarder and why experience and compliance matter.

Inexperienced forwarders may not manage container movements effectively, leading to delays at ports. This results in demurrage (when containers sit too long at the port) and detention fees (when containers aren’t returned on time). These costs can add thousands of dollars to your shipment—money you didn’t budget for.

A forwarder who lacks local compliance knowledge may mishandle documentation or fail to comply with regulations. This can cause customs delays, fines, or even seizure of goods. Beyond the cost, this affects your reputation and may impact your relationships with suppliers and customers.

Cheap forwarders often have limited customer service, leaving you in the dark about shipment status. Miscommunication can lead to missed pickups, wrong routings, and delayed deliveries—all of which impact your supply chain.

Time spent resolving issues, chasing paperwork, or fixing errors takes focus away from your core business. The wrong freight forwarder can cost you sales opportunities and productivity.

Choosing the right freight forwarder is about more than just price. At JTM Cargo, we prioritize compliance, transparency, and customer service to help you avoid these hidden costs and keep your supply chain moving smoothly.

John

Book a 5-minute call with a JTM Cargo expert and get clarity on your next shipment or get in touch with us today at JTM Cargo Management to book your logistics transport and keep your business moving forward.