As the founder of an international freight forwarding company with over 12 years of hands-on experience, I’ve seen why so many businesses—from small e-commerce sellers to multinational corporations—rely on freight forwarders. If you’ve ever asked yourself this question, chances are you’re exploring ways to simplify your global shipping process. This article will answer all the key questions importers often ask about freight forwarding services.
What is a freight forwarder and what exactly do they do?
A freight forwarder is a logistics partner who manages and coordinates the movement of goods from one country to another on behalf of the shipper. We don’t own the planes, ships, or trucks—we manage the process from start to finish using our global network of carriers, warehouses, and customs agents.
What we do includes:
- Arranging transportation (air, sea, rail, truck, or multimodal)
- Consolidating cargo from multiple suppliers
- Preparing all export/import documentation
- Handling customs clearance
- Managing door-to-door delivery (including DDP if needed)
- Offering warehousing and repacking services
- Providing shipment tracking and insurance options
Why don’t businesses just ship directly with carriers?
It’s a common question. While technically you can contact a carrier (like DHL or a shipping line) yourself, most carriers won’t provide the full set of services needed for smooth international shipping—especially not tailored to your cargo, suppliers, or destination requirements.
Here’s what typically goes wrong without a freight forwarder:
- Miscommunication with overseas suppliers
- Lack of export documents from the shipper
- Incorrect packaging leading to delays or damage
- Inability to handle customs clearance and duties
- Lack of real-time updates and support
- Higher shipping costs due to non-consolidated goods
We step in to avoid all of the above and ensure the shipment arrives on time, cleared, and in good condition.
How does a freight forwarder save time and reduce risks?
With global trade, time truly is money. Delays at any point—factory pickup, customs, port congestion—can mean missing sales opportunities or upsetting customers. A freight forwarder like us handles:
- Proactive risk management (e.g., identifying paperwork issues before customs rejection)
- Cargo insurance arrangement for financial protection
- Alternative route planning in case of carrier delays or strikes
- Consolidation from multiple suppliers, saving cost and effort
This means fewer problems, faster shipments, and better control of your supply chain.
When is it necessary to use a freight forwarder?
You might need a freight forwarder if:
- You’re buying from multiple suppliers in China and need consolidation
- You don’t have an import license or tax ID in your destination country
- You want to ship via DDP to avoid handling customs or duties
- Your shipment involves bulky, oversized, or delicate cargo (like furniture or machinery)
- You’re importing to Amazon FBA warehouses or need labeling services
Even for experienced importers, having a logistics partner ensures smoother coordination and peace of mind.
Can freight forwarders help reduce shipping costs?
Yes, and that’s one of the main reasons why people work with freight forwarders.
We help reduce shipping costs by:
- Consolidating cargo from multiple factories into one shipment
- Choosing the best route and method (air, sea, rail, or hybrid)
- Offering special contract rates due to volume shipping
- Recommending cost-saving options (e.g., repacking bulky goods)
Many of our clients have told us that what they save in shipping far outweighs the forwarding service fee.
What services can a freight forwarder provide beyond shipping?
A modern freight forwarder does much more than booking transportation. Depending on your needs, we also offer:
- Product inspection and quality check
- Custom packaging and crate solutions
- Free warehousing for consolidation
- Labeling, palletizing, and barcode services
- Procurement of cargo insurance
- Export declaration for Chinese suppliers without licenses
- Door-to-door DDP delivery
These services are especially useful for Amazon sellers, e-commerce operators, or businesses without an office in China.
Is working with a freight forwarder worth it for small businesses?
Absolutely. In fact, small businesses benefit even more because they often lack the in-house team to handle logistics.
Here’s what small importers gain:
- A single point of contact for all logistics tasks
- Professional guidance on shipping documents and packaging
- Clear, upfront pricing (no surprise fees)
- Flexibility to ship small batches or partial containers
- Full customs support—even without import credentials
We’ve supported thousands of first-time and small-scale importers to grow into full-scale operations by making international logistics simple and stress-free.
Final Thoughts: Why do most of our clients stay with us for years?
After over a decade in this business, I can tell you one thing: shipping is not just about moving goods—it’s about trust, reliability, and service.
Most of our clients stay with us because:
- We care about their shipments as much as they do
- We solve problems before they even know one existed
- We’re available, responsive, and genuinely helpful
- We deliver on time, every time
If you’re looking to simplify your shipping process, save money, and work with a logistics partner who treats your business like their own, that’s exactly why freight forwarding services exist—and why people use them.
Need a tailored shipping plan from China?
Contact DFH Logistics for a free consultation and let’s discuss how we can help.
