Freight forwarder

A freight forwarder, forwarder, or forwarding agent, is a person or company that organizes shipments for individuals or corporations to get goods from the manufacturer or producer to a market, customer or final point of distribution.[1] Forwarders contract with a carrier to move the goods. A forwarder does not move the goods but acts as an expert in supply chain management. A forwarder contracts with carriers to move cargo ranging from raw agricultural products to manufactured goods. Freight can be booked on a variety of shipping providers, including ships, airplanes, trucks, and railroads. It is not unusual for a single shipment to move on multiple carrier types. ‘International freight forwarders” typically handle international shipments. International freight forwarders have additional expertise in preparing and processing customs and other documentation and performing activities pertaining to international shipments. Information typically reviewed by a freight forwarder includes the commercial invoice, electronic export information – EEI (formerly known as shipper’s export declaration), bill of lading and other documents required by the carrier or country of export, import, and/or transshipment. Much of this information is now processed in a paperless environment. Connect your business with our global logistics expertise Experience the strength of our transportation and logistics network around the world. C.H. Robinson pairs the global capabilities you need with our proven track record of unbeatable service and execution. You can rely on us to help you manage all the moving parts of your global transportation—air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, intra-continental distribution, documentation, and regulatory requirements. We offer global freight services wherever you need to do business. With wholly-owned offices operating in strategic geographic locations around the world, our dedicated employees apply local market knowledge and regional logistics expertise to every shipment and move your freight from door to door with precision. Aries Freight Systems advises and offers our customer an international business partner in the world of compliance. Together, we face many challenges conducting world commerce and Aries provides the experience necessary to navigate U.S. and Foreign government regulations and policies. We are continually reviewing and taking steps to maintain awareness of government regulations. The rules and regulations are constantly changing and evolving, which means we must remain and are committed to providing our customers with the most current regulatory information. We achieve these efforts by keeping in contact with the mandating agencies, by maintaining the resources at our fingertips, and by integration with government entities through our systems. We have the resources and educational opportunities necessary to help your organization pilot the complex world of compliance. Regardless of which rules or polices with which we must interact (CTPAT, TSA, FMC, NAFTA, ITAR, AES or EAR), the resulting assurance for you is that all transactions with Aries will be handled with diligence and compliance. Customs broking or Customs brokerage is a profession that involves the “clearing” of goods through customs barriers for importers and exporters (usually businesses). This involves the preparation of documents and/or electronic submissions, the calculation and payment of taxes, duties and excises, and facilitating communication between government authorities and importers and exporters. Customs brokers in the United States prepare and submit documentation to notify or obtain clearance from government agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Fish and Wildlife Service. They also arrange the transhipment (i.e., local delivery) of merchandise via trucking companies. Many customs brokers specialize in certain goods like apparel, perishables, or clearing the crew and manifest of large cargo vessels. Customs brokers can be located at inland ports to clear merchandise sent “in bond”, but most are located at major airports and harbors with international traffic. Customs brokers in the United States prepare and submit documentation to notify or obtain clearance from government agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Fish and Wildlife Service. They also arrange the transhipment (i.e., local delivery) of merchandise via trucking companies. Many customs brokers specialize in certain goods like apparel, perishables, or clearing the crew and manifest of large cargo vessels. Customs brokers can be located at inland ports to clear merchandise sent “in bond”, but most are located at major airports and harbors with international traffic.

Qualifications

  Customs brokers must pass an examination and background check to become licensed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. They are not government employees and should not be confused with “customs agents” (in other countries, however, the two terms may be interchangeable). Customs brokers need to be familiar with the tariff schedule, a listing of duty rates for imported items, and the regulations governing is an importations found in 19 CFR, the Code of Federal Regulations Title 19. To illustrate, a customs broker may need to advise an importer on the marking requirements of the country of origin, or complete paperwork for a clothing shipment subject to quotas and visa requirements. Knowing the requirements of each type of import can avoid costly delays or merchandise seizures.

Customs Brokerage Services

  Customs Brokerage Services

Resource Center

   

Many regulations, one expert

  Don’t hand out pieces of your customs brokerage to different companies—simplify your process by working exclusively with C.H. Robinson. With a keen consulting eye, our Trusted AdvisorTM customs experts help you define your needs and stay focused on finding opportunities to contain costs and minimize risk. We look closely at your commodities and use our expertise to help ensure you’re paying the appropriate amount of tariffs, duties, and declared values. At the same time, we help you conform to existing government regulations and stay ahead of changing compliance laws. With all the variables and challenges that importing creates, our streamlined approach to customs brokerage means less risk, fewer errors, and reduced costs for you. Experience the unmatched benefits of our customs brokerage service:   Find out about additional services you can add to your customs brokerage. Use our Incoterms Tool to find definitions for the terms of international transactions, and discover who bears the risk in your transaction and when risk transfers from buyer to seller. Learn more about security definitions and safety programs like the 10+2 Rule, C-TPAT, Automated Manifest Systems (AMS), and Container Security Initiative (CSI).