Pay Online
Seas and ships have played a prime role in shaping this world; they have been the primary mode of transportation of goods and cultures for centuries and continue to do so.
The heavy cargo ship, which was stuck in the Suez Canal for days, cost $54 Billion to the world trade, which makes it a whopping $6.7 million per minute. If blocking a shipping route for just a few days can cause this big loss, you can clearly imagine the impact ships have on today’s world.
When you’re shipping goods, it’s important to choose a shipping agent. There are many different factors that go into choosing a shipping agent, and finding the right one for your needs can be a difficult task.
The last thing you want is to ship your packages incorrectly or waste time on something trivial. In this article, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to make an educated choice when choosing a shipping agent.
8 Factors to Consider While Choosing a Shipping Agent
You need to make sure that you check these things about a shipping agent before handing them your cargo.
-
Type of Goods/Cargo
A shipping agent may have good reviews and word from people, it can be fairly reputed too, but that does not mean that it is the best for you. There are many shipping carriers that specialize in certain types of cargo, you need to understand your cargo type and look for shipping companies that specialize in it.
Certain shipping agents have special policies for different types of goods, and some might not be able to handle extremely fragile goods or refrigerated food items. You should check the shippers’ policies for your type of goods before proceeding further.
-
Industry Reputation
While new shipping agents can be good in terms of costs and services, they do not always turn out to be the best. It is always recommended to go with reputed shipping agents from the market. They might charge you a bit more, but their services are reliable.
Established shipping providers also have better knowledge and ways of passing the laws and regulations, and you will have less trouble while shipping.
-
Pricing
Shipping companies charge for storage, customs clearance, fuel surcharges, terminal handling charges, brokerage charges and more depending on the level of service you are requesting.
The best way to make sure you are getting the best shipping rate is to find out how much it will cost to ship your product from the origin to the destination by contacting different carriers. Each carrier has its own set of rules for pricing which may or may not be transparent upfront.
-
Shipment Tracking
Having a good amount of information while your shipment is delivered to its destination is an important part of the process. You may also need to disclose the tracking information to the buyer at specific time intervals. A good shipping agent should provide adequate tracking information for your goods and cargo.
-
Convenience
There are different benefits for different shipping agents, you need to find out which of them are best for you, some shipping agents will offer free goods/cargo pickup from your location which will save you some costs and trouble, these services definitely add goodness to your experience.
-
Insurance
Insurance is one of the most important things while shipping goods in large quantities, it gets even more crucial when you have to ship fragile goods. While all insurance options might look the same, they aren’t. Your shipping agent should be able to disclose all the necessary information for the insurance and should cover most of the losses and damages.
-
Customer Support
Shipping your goods to far lands is a huge task, you can have queries, concerns, and grievances in this process and there should be an efficient system of resolution for all of these. Your shipping agent should have a knowledgeable customer support team that can solve your queries in an instant.
-
Shipping Options
There is no size that fits all. Sometimes you might occupy a full container, and sometimes, even one container may not be enough. Your shipping agent should be having a wide range of options for you to choose from.
Conclusion
Shipping needs to be done with utter care and thought. To ensure the best experience for your buyer, a good shipping agent is a must. Keep these factors in mind and you will surely find the one that suits your business.
If you are looking to get your goods shipped, get in touch with us and see how we can help you get your cargo moved seamlessly.
Trans Asia Group is one of the top names among the best shipping service providers in India. We have served over 30,000 customers worldwide to date and have an impeccable track record of client satisfaction. Contact now for a free quote!