Air Freight Forwarders & Quotes

Air freight forwarders are one of the many players in the $17 billion airforwarding industry. They manage the entire chain of events from planning to packing, compliance, customs clearance, shipping, unloading, storage and delivery. Finding the most qualified forwarder to help you can be a daunting task. Get the process started by filling out the form here in order to receive up to 5 free quotes.

All kinds of items can be shipped via air such as food, flowers, human organs, pharmaceuticals and live animals.

If you have such items to ship, you can contact an air carrier directly to arrange everything, but most people will employ indirect air carriers (IACs) or air freight forwarders. These agents will ensure a timely, safe delivery. Your goods will either be loaded into the cargo hold of a passenger plane or onto a special cargo plane. The interior of these planes is specifically designed to hold goods, not people. When the plane lands, your goods must then make their way to the consignee (the person receiving them). Your freight forwarder is your consignor who will arrange further transportation via road, rail or sea if needed.

The air waybill (in other words, bill of lading) will indicate the consignor and consignee and serve as a formal contract that announces the parties involved in the transportation of goods. This document lists the contents of the shipment, fees, and outlines limits of liability and procedures concerning transfer instructions and claims. Whether moving items domestically or internationally, the air waybill will have the same standard appearance and contents.

If you are enlisting the help of a freight forwarder to move commercial goods, he or she should perform an on-site inspection in order to give you an accurate cost estimate. Additionally, the freight company you hire must also be aware of schedules and time tables to ensure that your goods arrive on time.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) conducts inspections to thwart terrorist attacks and accidents. Since air freight forwarders are responsible for the goods they are moving, they are also subject to inspection. This includes their employees, vehicles used for transport, warehouses used for storage, etc.

The Air Cargo Inc. (ACI) Guide, which is also known as the Air Freight Directory, is an essential tool throughout the United States of America for forwarders, brokers, line haulers, air freight and trucking companies. Additionally, the Australian Federation of International Forwarders (AFIF) provides training, education and consultation for freight forwarders.

Each year, the air cargo industry realizes an estimated 50 billion USD, which accounts for 35% of all internationally sold merchandise. Just-in-time delivery has helped fuel the air cargo business and will continue to bolster these figures. Likewise, e-commerce and open skies agreements around the world are contributing to air cargo traffic.

It's important to note that air cargo carriers will not take your goods from door to door, rather, they will only move them from one airport to another. For this reason, air freight forwarders have been able to make a huge impact in the industry since they offer a complete service