Frequent “explosions” in air freight forwarding? Here are 5 key points to help you select reliable service providers

In recent years, there have been frequent “explosions” in the international air freight forwarding industry, and many companies have suffered heavy losses due to improper selection of freight forwarding service providers. How to select truly reliable partners from among many service providers? The following are 5 key screening criteria:

1. Verify the company’s qualifications and industry certification
   Required qualifications: Check whether it has the International Air Transport Association (IATA) certification and the China Air Transport Association (CATA) membership

Years of operation: Priority will be given to companies that have been established for more than 5 years and focus on air transport business

Financial status: Understand the health of its capital chain through corporate credit reports

2. Evaluate route resources and capacity guarantees
   Core routes: Understand its advantageous route resources on your main trade routes

Cooperating airlines: Verify the level of cooperation with mainstream airlines (such as whether it is a first-level agent)

Emergency plan: Inquire about capacity guarantee measures in peak seasons or emergencies

3. Check operating specifications and information level
   Standardized process: Request to visit its operating warehouse and observe the cargo handling process

Tracking system: Test the real-time and accuracy of its cargo tracking system

Document management: Understand the professionalism of customs declaration and customs clearance documents

4. Analyze risk management capabilities
   Insurance coverage: confirm the cargo insurance plan and compensation process it provides

Exception handling: understand the handling methods and compensation records of historical delays and cargo damage cases

Compliance records: verify whether there are major violations or legal disputes

5. Investigate service reputation and customer structure
   Industry reputation: understand real evaluations through peer recommendations or industry forums

Customer cases: require customer service cases of similar scale in the same industry

Stability of personnel: whether the turnover rate of key positions (such as customer service and operations) is too high

Special tips: be wary of service providers whose quotations are significantly lower than the market level, which is often a risk signal. It is recommended to verify the actual capabilities of the service provider through a “small batch trial order” method, and then gradually expand the scale of cooperation.

Selecting an air freight forwarder is not a simple price comparison process, but a comprehensive assessment of the company’s comprehensive service capabilities and risk management system. Through the systematic screening of the above five dimensions, the risk of cooperation can be greatly reduced to ensure the safe and efficient operation of your international air transport business.