This guide is aimed at independent freight forwarders who are looking for a partner in France to manage theirimport or export shipments. Companies, meanwhile, will find suitable advice in our article “Choosing the best freight forwarder in 10 points“.
7 essential criteria for a good forwarder in France
To identify the ideal partner for your transport in France, check these 7 criteria:
- Buying power. A transport commissionaire buys and sells. If your partner buys poorly, you won’t be able to sell and risk losing your customer. Find out about its feeds, its certifications, its IATA ranking, the awards that have been awarded to it by the companies, …
- Responsive customer service, which gives you clear information about your goods, and quickly. On the other side of the world, you need to be reassured, and have effective contact with someone who tells you”Okay, we’re taking care of your merchandise“. A freight agent who offers good customer service is a partner who does his job well.
- Consistency. A trusted partner is consistent in services and rates. On a regular stream, an honest partner will make you enjoy the best rates. He follows the market and is fair in his dealings. A transparent forwarder brings positive developments throughout the chain. If the end customer is satisfied, business continues.
- Staff stability is also a quality criterion, as an employee who stays with his employer for a long time builds up real market expertise. In addition, satisfied employees provide better service to customers.
- Reciprocity. When you entrust traffic to a real partner, he or she will seek to entrust you with return flows in your country. What for? For financial optimization and stability of flows, or to establish a relationship conducive to setting up another traffic. A win-win relationship.
- Financial solidity, because you don’t want to pay a forwarder and end up with goods blocked in a port area because he hasn’t paid his invoices to the carrier.
- References & testimonials, because the best way to know if you’re dealing with a trusted forwarder is to know what their customers and partners have to say about them. This also allows you to check that he has specific experience of transport in your sector.
A good forwarder, a critical size issue
The size of the company is very important. A certain size ensures negotiating capacity, purchasing power, stability and the possibility of reciprocity. It is obvious that a one-person company that works with a multitude of partners will not be able to return traffic.
A structure that is too small will also find it difficult to ensure continuous quality service in the event of staff shortages. As soon as you reach a certain size, you’ll know that alternative solutions are in place to manage your transport during vacation periods.
Finally, a partner of the right size will have everything it needs to do the job, starting with the right accreditations: Registered Customs Broker, IATA (air), FIATA (maritime), AEO-Fullcertification (customs simplification and security-safety)…
Aim for quality, for a serene remote follow-up
A top-quality French partner helps to streamline your flows. Each link in the chain is well oiled: the staff is available, the competence is assured, the amenities present, it’s time saved.
Visit local presence of your partner in France also play a role: agents located at strategic logistical points in the country will quickly find solutions. Imagine a “dangerous” package rejected because of an incomplete sender label. The agent on site acts immediately, informs the customer, changes the label if necessary, and in less than 2 hours, the package is ready to leave.
Your ideal freight forwarder-partner is one who brings you nothing but solutions, and makes your life easier.
