International Shipping: Freight Forwarding

For buyers who are exporters or have businesses overseas, a freight forwarder can be a real asset when it comes to getting your B-Stock inventory shipped internationally. Whether it’s negotiating freight charges, getting insurance, preparing documentation, or one of the other items (in the long list of details) that go into international shipping, a freight forwarder can save you time, money, and potential headaches.

What is a Freight Forwarder?

Well, according to the official (and wordy) definition, a freight forwarder is a firm specializing in arranging storage and shipping of merchandise on behalf of its shippers. It usually provides a full range of services, including tracking inland transportation, preparation of shipping and export documents, warehousing, booking cargo space, negotiating freight charges, freight consolidation, cargo insurance, and filing of insurance claims. Freight forwarders usually ship under their own bills of lading or air waybills (called house bill of lading or house air waybill), and their agents or associates at the destination (overseas freight forwarders) provide document delivery, deconsolidation, and freight collection services. Also called a forwarder.

Since that’s quite the mouthful, let’s break it down like this instead:

A freight forwarder is a company that arranges the import and export of goods.

Understand that a freight forwarder does not actually move the freight itself. Instead, a freight forwarder uses their relationships with carriers (air freighters, trucking companies, rail freighters, and ocean liners) to negotiate the best possible price to move the client’s goods along the most economical route.

With that said, if you’re doing business internationally…

Is it Worth it to Use a Freight Forwarder?

While it is certainly not required to use a freight forwarder, if you want to be an international shipper without getting caught up in the logistics of logistics, freight forwarders can take on this task. Without knowing the process, paperwork, and international trade regulations, doing all of this yourself can be a daunting undertaking. Freight forwarders will advise and assist you on how to move goods most efficiently from one destination to another.

Buying Internationally on B-Stock

If you’re interested in cross-border shopping, there are a couple of things to know.

• Not all of our sellers allow international buyers. Meaning, any inventory purchased from these storefronts must be resold in the United States, with export strictly prohibited. It is important to read the individual listing details as well as each seller’s Terms of Purchase.

• Some sellers will allow you to ship to a freight forwarder within the United States. International buyers will need to submit valid freight forwarder information that authorizes them to use that address. Once inventory ships to the freight forwarder, you must then arrange your own shipping outside the United States.

The required proof usually comes in the form of a freight forwarding document like this:

• Depending on eligibility, some sellers allow direct export. This means internationally registered buyers can have inventory shipped directly to them outside the United States.

We recommend exploring sellers available to international buyers by region. That way, you can see which US storefronts allow reselling outside of the US. Additionally, buyers from Canada can also purchase inventory located in Canada. EU & UK buyers – inventory located in the EU & UK.

As always, be sure to do your homework and double-check individual listing details along with the Terms of Purchase for international shipping restrictions. To learn more about B-Stock’s trusted freight forwarding partner, visit MyUS.com.  

Start Your International Buying Journey

Ready to take the next step to purchasing inventory on B-Stock? Learn how to register in the guide below.