Freight forwarder issues

[samuel5]

Hi all

We have multiple shipments each month from various suppliers in China.
Our freight forwarder used to work out which shipments could be consolidated into one but now does not seem to bother and we end up paying much more transport costs.

For example, 2x 20' containers shipping FOB Ningbo from two different suppliers that could have been consolidated into a 40' container.

Should a freight forwarder be alerting us of shipments to consolidate or is that our job to work it out?

Also, their current system is sending us the schedule of our shipments once a week by excel file and often delayed shipments are not updated. I am not sure if there is some real time visibility software other freight forwarders offer?

We have been using them for 15 years so I wonder if it is time to try an alternative.

Thanks

Sam

 

[Mr D]

First speak to them. Could be there is a problem.

Then look around for a replacement.

 

[MOIC]

If you have the details of the CBM to be loaded, can you not advise the shipping company what size container to use and where to load from.

A consideration must be given to each supplier as they will have (presumably) quoted you for FOB based on a container being loaded at their premises. One factory may be reluctant to share with another factory, as their will be responsibility issues.

Logistics within China is not cheap.

Speak to someone competent at your Freight Forwarder in China to give you advice for future shipments.

 

[Red Wood]

Nail on head. FOB charges built in to their offers which will inevitably be different based on LCL/FCL freight. It's not impossible to combine shipments but with only a couple of containers a month it won't be cost effective to do so.

However I understand the frustration as having 1x40ft as opposed to 2x20ft would ofcourse be preferred.

 

[Wavecrest Ltd]

There could potentially be issues of liability if a 40' container container is part loaded by one supplier and goes to the second supplier to be finished off. What would happen if some of the goods loaded by the first supplier got pilfered or damaged whilst the container is at the second supplier's premises?