Whether you’re an e-commerce company or an established brick-and-mortar business that expanded overseas, shipping can be one of the most complex parts of setting up your European operations.
As companies have grown more interconnected and international shipments have become commonplace, there are many different options when it comes to selecting a freight company to get your goods from Point A to Point B.
The companies you choose will have a huge impact on how quickly your products arrive, whether they arrive at all, and how much they will cost you.
Here are some tips for choosing the best freight companies for your European business.
1. Decide on a Budget
Your business is not going to be successful if you can’t afford to ship your goods, and it will do you no good to settle on one of the companies that have minimum shipping rates.
This leaves you with two choices: get a shipper that has a very low rate or goes with a company that gives discounts by choosing an in-house carrier. Either way, don’t settle on one shipper unless they are giving you a steep discount.
If you want to offer only selected items for sale in Europe, then keep prices affordable and make sure the goods can reach their desired location without any trouble.
Shipping routes within Europe are straightforward when compared to shipping from other continents (and other countries within Europe), so shipment fees tend to be much lower.
2. Be Specific About What You Need
What are you shipping? How much is it worth? What size is it? And what type of goods are you importing to Europe?
These factors will all help determine which freight company can help move your goods from one country to another.
Look at transportation sites like truckloads, airfreight, rail cargo, ocean cargo, etc., and see which ones have more available service options that could work for you.
3. Compare Quality, Not Just Price
Price shouldn’t be your only consideration when you’re looking to choose a freight company. Quality is just as important – and, sometimes, more so.
You’ll want to look at what kind of services each company offers and make sure you’re getting the kind of service that’s going to meet your needs.
Don’t be afraid to ask around either, as there are tons of people who have experience with different companies who can offer valuable input about which ones are best for your business.
4. Ask About Guarantees and Insurance
In most cases, freight companies provide you with a guarantee in which if your shipment is late by two hours or more, they will issue you a refund.
Be sure to ask about this before signing any contracts! And also, be aware that most freight providers also offer insurance as an option.
Conclusion
Pick your shipping service wisely and take your time. The best choice will always be determined by your priorities, such as cost, lead time, timeliness of the shipment, and carrier responsiveness.
Picking the right one will depend on what is most important to you. Click here to learn more about the best freight companies in Australia!
