In international transportation, there are two key roles: Carrier and Forwarder, which facilitate the process of sending goods from origin to destination. These two companies, with their different tasks, play a fundamental role in moving cargo and ensuring timely delivery of goods. If we want to talk about the difference between carriers and forwarders, we will say that carriers, with their physical and legal responsibility, transport goods using vehicles such as ships, planes or trucks, while forwarders, as intermediaries and consultants specializing in international transportation, manage all the complex aspects of transportation.
In this article, we will examine in detail the definition and duties of these two companies, their differences.
Who is a Carrier?
Carrier transportation refers to individuals or freight transportation companies that are equipped with vehicles to move cargo and are responsible for transporting cargo from the country of origin to the country of destination. These companies are usually international and, with their representatives in different countries, are recognized as the physical and legal carrier of goods. These companies are obliged to comply with the domestic laws of the countries as well as international laws and to act within the scope of these laws. Carrier institutions usually operate as shipping companies, airlines, inter-road transportation companies, railways, etc.
Carrier Duties and Services
The duties of a carrier in the transportation industry can vary depending on the type of job and job position. In general, the duties of a carrier in this area include logistics management and route planning, ensuring safety, optimizing time and cost, complying with laws and standards, etc. In addition, a carrier provides its customers with services including the following:
- Issuing a bill of lading
- Concluding a contract with the customer
- Delivering and loading goods at the origin with full supervision until the goods reach the destination
- Preparing guarantees and documents required for the transportation of goods, such as insurance policies, etc.
- Sending goods by the specified transportation method and at the appointed time
- Accepting responsibility and paying compensation for any damage, loss or delay in sending goods
- Preparing and submitting customs documents and documents
- Paying all necessary expenses for truck drivers and…
- Complying with all domestic and international laws and regulations
Who is a forwarder?
Forwarders are individuals or international shipping companies that play a vital role in the process of transporting goods. As the main intermediary and facilitator in the supply chain, these companies are responsible for coordinating all matters related to sending goods from origin to destination on an international scale.
In expressing the difference between a carrier and a forwarder, the main task of a forwarder company is to manage and organize the transportation of goods through various road, sea, air and rail routes. These companies simplify the complex transportation process for their customers by using an extensive network of carriers, warehouses, customs and other logistics services. Since international transportation usually faces challenges such as customs barriers, different laws of destination countries and coordination with different carriers, forwarders, with their experience and expertise in this field, help companies overcome these challenges and deliver their goods to their destination on time and at a reasonable cost.
In addition, forwarders often provide their clients with services such as consulting on the best shipping methods, arranging insurance for the goods, managing documentation and permits, and even providing warehousing services. In short, a forwarder acts as a strategic partner for businesses to effectively and efficiently move their goods internationally.
Duties of a Forwarder Company
Forwarders, who play an important role in international transportation and the arrival of goods from origin to destination, have duties and responsibilities including the following:
- Coordination of international transportation: One of the main duties of forwarders is to choose the best transportation methods, including sea, air, road or rail transportation. They offer the best solution for their customers depending on the type of goods, destination and existing conditions.
- Documentation and permit management: The international transportation process is usually accompanied by complexities such as preparing customs documents, goods insurance, health certificates and special permits. Forwarders manage these documents and ensure that all legal processes are carried out correctly.
- Consultation and selection of carriers: Forwarders, based on their experience and networks, select the best transportation companies (carriers) for each part of the transportation route. This choice can be made based on cost, delivery time and security of the goods.
- Arrange for the shipment of goods to the destination: Forwarders are responsible for arranging all stages of transportation, including packaging, loading, moving, and unloading of goods. They carefully coordinate these steps so that the process proceeds efficiently and without any delays or problems.
Other Duties
- Management of multi-stage transportation: In many cases, goods pass through several different routes. Forwarders are responsible for managing multi-stage transportation, which requires coordinating with different carriers and transporting goods from origin to destination in several stages.
- Cargo insurance: Another important duty of forwarders is to provide insurance services for goods that may be at risk during transportation. They usually advise customers to obtain appropriate insurance for their goods to prevent possible damage.
- Warehousing and distribution: Many forwarders also provide warehousing services. This service involves storing goods in local warehouses and then distributing them to the final destination. This process becomes especially important when the goods need to be delivered to several different points.
What is the difference between a carrier and a forwarder?
Now that we have familiarized ourselves with the definitions and duties of each carrier and forwarder company, it is time to examine the differences between them. The difference between a carrier and a forwarder is as follows:
- The legal and physical responsibility of the cargo lies with the carrier.
- Carrier companies own vehicles such as ships or aircraft; whereas forwarders act as intermediaries.
- Generally, carriers have much greater responsibilities than forwarder companies. A carrier company will also be larger in terms of size and workforce.
- Forwarder companies specialize in the field of international cargo transportation. These companies also have the ability to provide advice to exporters of goods.
However, the main task of both of these companies is to transport cargo from origin to destination in exchange for a fee. It does not matter whether you are planning to transport internationally to Kenya or a small country in the European continent; these companies will deliver your cargo to its destination in perfect health.
Conclusion
In this article, we have examined the difference between a carrier and a forwarder, but ultimately, the choice between a carrier and a forwarder depends on your specific needs in transporting goods. If you are looking for a company to carry out physical and direct transportation of your cargo, a carrier is the best option. But if you need guidance, advice, and complex coordination for international transportation, forwarder companies can provide the best solutions with their expertise and extensive network.
In the meantime, Saina Express, as a reputable company in the field of international transportation, can be the best option for transporting your goods to the desired destination by taking advantage of its extensive experience in this field. This company, by providing specialized services and adhering to international standards, helps you to carry out the transportation process in the simplest and most efficient way possible. You can contact our experts at Saina Express for more information and services.