What is a Freight Forwarder:
written by:
Wikipedia
A freight forwarder, forwarder, or
forwarding agent is a person or company that
organizes shipments for individuals or other companies
and may also act as a carrier. A forwarder is often not
active as a carrier and acts only as an agent, in other
words as a third-party (non-asset-based) logistics
provider that dispatches shipments via asset-based
carriers and that books or otherwise arranges space for
these shipments. Carrier types include ships, airplanes,
trucks, and
railroads.
Freight forwarders typically arrange cargo movement
to an international destination. Also referred to as
international freight forwarders, they have the
expertise that allows them to prepare and process the
documentation and perform related activities pertaining
to international shipments. Some of the typical
information reviewed by a freight forwarder is the
commercial invoice, shipper's export declaration, bill
of lading and other documents required by the carrier or
country of export, import, or transshipment. Much of
this information is now processed in a paperless
environment.
Import / Export Custom
Broker
Written by :
Wikipedia
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 usually the payment) on
behalf of the client of taxes, duties and excises, and facilitating
communication between the importer/exporter and governmental
authorities. Customs brokers in the USA will often prepare and submit
documentation to notify or obtain the clearance from other government
agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Fish and Wildlife Service,
and many others. Customs brokers need to be familiar with the Tariff
Schedule, a listing of duty rates for imported items, and the
regulations governing importations found in the Code of Federal
Regulations Title 19, known as 19 CFR. For example, a customs broker may
need to advise an importer regarding country of origin marking
requirements or the precise paperwork requirements for a clothing
shipment subject to quota/visa requirements. Knowing the requirements of
each type of import can avoid costly delays or seizure of the
merchandise. Many customs brokers specialize in certain types of
transactions, such as wearing 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 normally arrange the transshipment, or local delivery, of
cleared merchandise through relationships with trucking companies and
others. Customs brokers must pass an examination and background check to
become licensed. Customs brokers are not government employees and should
not be confused with Customs agents, although in some countries the term
customs agent may mean customs broker.Custom brokers may be employed
by or affiliated with freight forwarders, but may be independent
businesses or may be employed by shipping lines, importers, exporters,
trade authorities and customs brokerage firms.
