Types of freight forwarding – differences and characteristics

Freight forwarding is responsible for organizing the transportation of cargo over long distances using various modes of transport. Choosing the right type of forwarding depends on the client’s needs, the type of goods, the delivery destination, and many other factors. In this article, we present the different types of freight forwarding and the role of a freight forwarder.

Who is a freight forwarder and what are their responsibilities?

A freight forwarder is a person or company responsible for organizing the transport of goods. They act as an intermediary between the sender and the carrier, handling the comprehensive planning and coordination of the entire logistics process. Their tasks include:

Selecting the appropriate mode of transport.
Organizing the loading and unloading of goods.
Preparing the necessary documentation (e.g., waybills, invoices, customs documents).
Monitoring the shipment at every stage.
Communicating with carriers, clients, and customs agencies in the case of international transport.

The freight forwarder plays a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of the supply chain, making sure that the goods reach their destination on time, in proper conditions, and in compliance with all necessary formalities.

Types of freight forwarding

Domestic Freight Forwarding

Domestic freight forwarding involves organizing the transport of goods within a single country. It can be carried out using various modes of transport, such as trucks, trains, or even water transport (e.g., barges on rivers).
Characteristics:

Operates within a single country.
Most commonly used in road transport.

International Freight Forwarding

International freight forwarding involves organizing the transport of goods between different countries. A key aspect here is knowledge of customs regulations and the requirements of individual nations.
Characteristics:

Can involve any mode of transport: road, rail, sea, or air.
Requires customs documentation (e.g., invoices, waybills, customs declarations).
Customs agencies and brokers play a significant role.

Road Freight Forwarding

One of the most commonly used types of forwarding, road freight forwarding involves organizing transport using trucks. It can be carried out on both domestic and international routes.
Characteristics:

Ideal for partial (LTL), full truckload (FTL), and groupage shipments.
Flexible – transport can be adapted to specific routes and needs.
Limited by road infrastructure.

Rail Freight Forwarding

Rail freight forwarding uses trains to transport large loads over medium to long distances. It is especially popular for transporting raw materials such as coal, steel, and chemicals.
Characteristics:

Cost-effective for large quantities of goods.
Requires access to railway terminals.
Less flexible than road transport (fixed routes and schedules).

Sea freight forwarding

Sea freight forwarding involves organizing the transport of goods via waterways, usually using container ships. This is the primary method of large-scale international trade.
Characteristics:

Primarily used for international transport.
Ideal for shipping large quantities of goods over long distances.
Requires knowledge of port procedures and international regulations.

Air Freight Forwarding

Air freight forwarding involves organizing the transportation of goods by air. It is the fastest but also the most expensive type of forwarding.
Characteristics:

Mainly used for high-value or time-sensitive shipments.
Requires proper infrastructure – airports and connecting transport.
Subject to strict security regulations.

Intermodal Freight Forwarding

Intermodal freight forwarding combines different modes of transport within a single logistics chain. The most commonly used combinations include rail, sea, and road transport.
Characteristics:

The goods remain in a single loading unit (e.g., a container), making transfers easier.
Requires coordination between different modes of transport.

Express Freight Forwarding

Express freight forwarding involves the rapid transportation of goods, often in the form of courier shipments. It is ideal for smaller loads that need to be delivered quickly.
Characteristics:

Includes both domestic and international transport.
Primarily uses road and air transport.
Often handled by courier companies.

Specialized Freight Forwarding

Specialized freight forwarding involves transporting goods that require specific conditions, such as refrigerated transport, tankers, or oversized cargo.
Characteristics:

Designed for specific industries, such as pharmaceuticals, food, or construction.
Requires specialized equipment and expertise.
Often carried out via road or rail transport.