Destination ship generation: your eyes and ears are there
The world of shipping is huge, complex, and definitely not lacking in regulations. Given the complex systems of this sprawling industry, hiccups are not uncommon. Whether you are an experienced shipper or not, it is always advisable to have an agent at the destination. This avoids unnecessary problems that can result in additional costs, delays, not to mention headaches.
The role of freight forwarders at the destination
Freight Forwarder: The designated party at the destination who handles your shipment and helps monitor it.
In case of unexpected problems, you can rely on your proxy. It is his/her responsibility to properly identify and resolve these issues. All this without any hassle for yourself - the client. Generally speaking, the responsibilities of an agent include document presentation, customs clearance, and delivery. It can even be a combination of these. But this is just an overview. What an agent is really responsible for varies from situation to situation and largely depends on the scope of the job.
What could be wrong
Shipping regulations and processes vary widely. Typically, they depend on the type of cargo, the country of destination, etc. Certain countries require very specific paperwork, not to mention the different logistics availability at each port. It is a risk not to pre-register an agent at the destination before the shipment leaves. This means having to deal with your own customs clearance, delivery services and any other unexpected issues.
All of this can lead to additional costs and logistical inefficiencies. The shipper/consignee will have a lot of extra work to do to determine what went wrong. This is just the first step. Then he may have to find a provider who can solve his problem. This all translates into unnecessary extra costs and delays.
Shipping without a shipping agent at the destination
At TJ chinafreight we are sometimes hired to deliver to port and told not to entrust to any agent. In this case, we only communicate all relevant information to the shipper. We send final warnings of estimated departure time and estimated arrival time to customers. But no one is responsible for notifying the consignee of the arrival of the goods.
If you use a vetted TJ chinafreight agent, we send alerts to shippers and agents at no extra cost. Our agents don't just check that all documents are correct. They also ensure destination charges meet expectations and adhere to industry and national practices. They can also meet any other requirements the consignee may have.
