Importer's Guide to Freight Forum

Introduction

The following is a guide on how importers can use Freight Forum to make importing easier and also build their business. There are a number of ways that importers can benefit from using Freight Forum. The main ways are as follows;

Getting Sea Freight Quotations

Getting Air Freight Quotations

Getting Bulk or Project Freight Quotations

Sourcing Products

Networking with others in the Supply Chain Industry

Getting Freight Quotations

Freight Forum literally has thousands of freight forwarding agent members registered on the site. Many of them use it often and check through the shipment leads posted on the freight exchanges. Shipments involving their country will also be sent to their country specific freight exchange. If you post a freight rate request on Freight Forum it will be seen by freight forwarders from all around the globe. Once you have posted your freight rate request the chances are at least one freight forwarder will get back to you. There are some things you can do that will increase the response rate to your freight rate request. They are as follows;

Accurately input the data of the shipment

Accurately input the cargo location and port of destination (or destination address)

Add comments to give more important information about the shipment

Oftentimes freight forwarders will come across leads (freight requests) where the information doesn't seem to match up. Furthermore, there were no comments left either to clarify the specifics of the shipment. Because its not possible to give a freight quotation without all the information, they are likely to pass over these leads. So please input your shipment information accurately and add a few comments to show the forwarders you are serious about getting help!

Sourcing Goods

Freight Forum has a built in trade portal with the same functionality as major trade portals such as "Alibaba". You can search products there by category or by using the search bar. For example, if you are sourcing for "toys" you can look through the categories list and find numerous different sub-categories for toys such as "action figures", "wooden toys", "spinning tops", etc. You could also just use the search bar there and type in "wooden toys" or whatever other product you are looking for. If you see a product you are interested in you will find links to contact that seller directly. When that seller receives your information they can contact you back directly.

No matter which part of Freight Forum you are using, it is a free and open communication portal for all parties involved.

Networking

Freight Forum is a supply chain social network. At roughly 22,000 real members, it may be the biggest social network devoted only to the supply chain industry. Start by visiting your profile page and uploading your photo. I cannot emphasize how much simply uploading a profile picture will help you do business on Freight Forum. Uploading a profile picture shows people you are a real person, not a machine, and is the first important step to building trust with someone on Freight Forum.

Once you have your picture uploaded, check out our Groups and Forums sections and begin networking.I may add more to this guide in the future, but for the time being, the above are great first steps to using Freight Forum as a freight forwarding agent.

Freight Forum