A Career in Freight
The modern world would not survive without international trade. The constant flow of goods between nations generates the wealth on which every country depends for its livelihood. Britain annually exports and imports millions of pounds worth of goods and at the centre of this activity stands the Freight Forwarder.
What does the Freight Forwarder do?
The freight forwarder acts on behalf of importers and exporters, arranging the collection and delivery of their clients' goods to and from countries of the world. They are the link between the seller and the buyer, utilising their expertise in the various methods of transport to move cargo efficiently according to their customers' requirements.
On behalf of an exporter a forwarder's services will include:
- Negotiation of freight rates with carriers
- Booking cargo space
- Delivery of goods to the departure ports
- Preparation of documentation
- Completion of Customs formalities
Many forwarders operate their own international services, collecting goods from different exporters to make up large loads for a single destination to provide a door-to-door service.
On the import side the forwarder will:
- Clear goods through Customs
- Organise payment of duties and tax
- Deliver to the importer's premises
Training
Freight Forwarding is a specialist profession and the Institute of Freight Forwarders provides training leading to professional qualification. Training will embrace other branches of commerce including banking, marine insurance and law, as well as forwarding practice and geography. Most employers prefer to take on inexperienced staff and train them in the work place.
Varied career
Freight Forwarding offers a varied and interesting career with opportunities for office based work or, for those with more practical skills, jobs centred on the warehousing or transport side. Many forwarding agents specialise, either in the handling of particular commodities or providing services to and from specific geographical areas. Others may concentrate on particular methods of transport: for example, air freight.
Good Rewards
Freight Forwarding is a career worth serious consideration, often providing opportunities for work or travel abroad. Rewards are good, with no barriers to top management. It is a profession which recognises individual talent above age and academic achievement, with success coming to many in their late twenties and early thirties.