{"id":6495,"date":"2023-06-19T09:49:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-19T08:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/?p=6495"},"modified":"2025-08-15T14:19:41","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T13:19:41","slug":"how-to-choose-a-freight-forwarder-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/how-to-choose-a-freight-forwarder-2\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Tips on How to Choose a Freight Forwarder"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>You need to appoint a freight forwarder, but have no idea where to start looking?&nbsp; We have some hints and tips for you of things to look out for when navigating the world of freight forwarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Choose a UK based Freight Forwarder<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This might seem obvious, but if you\u2019re in the UK, appoint a forwarder who is also in the UK.&nbsp; It makes things much simpler \u2013 language, time zones, understanding how UK imports or exports work, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Does the Freight Forwarder have an Accreditation?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a pretty standard one, but if you don\u2019t know what to look for, you might miss it.&nbsp; Go for a freight forwarder who is a member of BIFA (<a href=\"https:\/\/bifa.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">British International Freight Association<\/a>).&nbsp; Members of BIFA adhere to certain trading standards and have clear trading conditions protecting everyone involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Is the Freight Forwarder part of a Network?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A reputable forwarder will be a member of a worldwide network.&nbsp; This is beneficial to you as an importer or exporter because they can draw on local knowledge and assistance for your shipment no matter where the destination or origin.&nbsp; It also indicates that they are serious about establishing their business contacts throughout the world, you can benefit from these relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Has the Forwarder been in Business for a number of years?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A well-established company will have a proven track record, key connections within the freight industry, and the reach and experience required to handle international shipping effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Can the Freight Forwarder complete UK Customs Clearances?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to be able to complete <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/customs-clearance\/\">UK customs clearances<\/a> in house, your freight forwarder will need to have the software, licences and subscriptions at the major UK sea freight ports.\u00a0 Having a forwarder who can complete their own customs clearances streamlines the process and ultimately puts the onus on them to complete them in a timely and accurate manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do they answer the phone?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Give the company a call to see what their call handling is like, there is nothing more frustrating than being in a queue, or a call just ringing out when you urgently need to speak to someone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Ensure you choose a freight forwarder with some consideration.&nbsp; If you choose wisely they will become an outsourced department for your company, helping you with your international shipments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Mercator has been in business for over 30 years, all <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/about-mercator\/meet-the-team\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">our staff<\/a> are experienced in freight forwarding (all of whom have spent the majority of their careers in the industry).&nbsp; We are founding members of the freight network <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marcopololine.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MarcoPoloLine<\/a> and long standing members of BIFA (British International Freight Association).&nbsp; We have the knowledge, experience and connections to handle international shipments in a professional and efficient manner.&nbsp; We pride ourselves on our customer service on the belief that a happy customer will be a repeat customer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Contact our team today for a quote for your international shipment: <a href=\"mailto:sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk\">sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk<\/a> or call (+44) 02392 756 575.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Request a Quote for International Shipping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"widget\" data-elementor-id=\"163\" class=\"elementor elementor-163\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-163 elementor-button-align-stretch elementor-widget elementor-widget-form\" data-id=\"163\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;button_width&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;step_next_label&quot;:&quot;Next&quot;,&quot;step_previous_label&quot;:&quot;Previous&quot;,&quot;step_type&quot;:&quot;number_text&quot;,&quot;step_icon_shape&quot;:&quot;circle&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"form.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<form class=\"elementor-form\" method=\"post\" name=\"Contact Form\" aria-label=\"Contact Form\">\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"post_id\" value=\"163\"\/>\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"form_id\" value=\"163\"\/>\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"referer_title\" value=\"LCL China to UK - Mercator Cargo Systems\" \/>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"queried_id\" value=\"8495\"\/>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-form-fields-wrapper elementor-labels-above\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-text elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-name elementor-col-50 elementor-field-required elementor-mark-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-name\" class=\"elementor-field-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tName\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input size=\"1\" type=\"text\" name=\"form_fields[name]\" id=\"form-field-name\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-sm  elementor-field-textual\" placeholder=\"Jane Doe\" required=\"required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-email elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-email elementor-col-50 elementor-field-required elementor-mark-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-email\" class=\"elementor-field-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input size=\"1\" type=\"email\" name=\"form_fields[email]\" id=\"form-field-email\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-sm  elementor-field-textual\" placeholder=\"sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk\" required=\"required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-text elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_1e5894a elementor-col-50 elementor-field-required elementor-mark-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-field_1e5894a\" class=\"elementor-field-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCompany Name\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input size=\"1\" type=\"text\" name=\"form_fields[field_1e5894a]\" id=\"form-field-field_1e5894a\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-sm  elementor-field-textual\" placeholder=\"e.g Mercator Cargo\" required=\"required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-tel elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_d0d8f2c elementor-col-50 elementor-field-required elementor-mark-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-field_d0d8f2c\" class=\"elementor-field-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhone Number\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input size=\"1\" type=\"tel\" name=\"form_fields[field_d0d8f2c]\" id=\"form-field-field_d0d8f2c\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-sm  elementor-field-textual\" placeholder=\"02392 756575\" required=\"required\" pattern=\"[0-9()#&amp;+*-=.]+\" title=\"Only numbers and phone characters (#, -, *, etc) are accepted.\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-textarea elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-message elementor-col-100 elementor-field-required elementor-mark-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-message\" class=\"elementor-field-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMessage\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<textarea class=\"elementor-field-textual elementor-field  elementor-size-sm\" name=\"form_fields[message]\" id=\"form-field-message\" rows=\"4\" placeholder=\"To Request a Quote please provide collection &amp; delivery postcodes, plus weights and dimensions\" required=\"required\"><\/textarea>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-recaptcha_v3 elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_15c0bab elementor-col-100 recaptcha_v3-inline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field\" id=\"form-field-field_15c0bab\"><div class=\"elementor-g-recaptcha\" data-sitekey=\"6Ld0waAkAAAAAN_-SsX3ZgxMF0Ugbg8OUwTGiAao\" data-type=\"v3\" data-action=\"Form\" data-badge=\"inline\" data-size=\"invisible\"><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-type-submit elementor-col-20 e-form__buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"elementor-button elementor-size-sm\" type=\"submit\" id=\"#contact-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Submit<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You need to appoint a freight forwarder, but have no idea where to start looking?&nbsp; We have some hints and tips for you of things to look out for when navigating the world of freight forwarding. Choose a UK based Freight Forwarder This might seem obvious, but if you\u2019re in the UK, appoint a forwarder [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":5340,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[22,24,98],"class_list":["post-6495","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-freight-forwarder-experience","tag-freight-forwarder","tag-freight-forwarding","tag-uk-freight-forwarder"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6495","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6495"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6495\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6495"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6495"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}