Rights and obligations of the freight forwarder

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

The volume of cargo transportation in our time is growing every day. And at the same time, such a profession as a freight forwarder is becoming more and more in demand. This specialist, who tracks the path of the goods, is the agent of the carrier who organizes the forwarding service. And the duties of a forwarder are not just cargo escort, he also plans and organizes its transportation. In principle, this specialist can coordinate any cargo transportation (container, dangerous and bulk, bulk and other cargo). And he must know the negative and positive points when using a certain transport in any region. The freight forwarder must be able to plan transportation, while choosing an acceptable transport. The duties of the forwarder also include monitoring the stages of loading and unloading and the current state of the cargo entrusted to him.

But no matter how precise the planning is, anything can happen on the road. And during the journey, circumstances sometimes arise that threaten the environment, the safety of people,the safety of the cargo or may lead to an accident. Then the duties of the freight forwarder for the carriage of goods include the resolution of these situations. First of all, he must contact the customer of the cargo transportation and coordinate his actions with him. But if this cannot be done, then he has the right to act independently. At the same time, the freight forwarder is aware that later he will have to explain to the customer the necessity, legitimacy and inevitability of his actions.

Also, the duties of the forwarder include the acceptance of cargo at the warehouse and checking its compliance with the accompanying documents. He must also verify the integrity of the packaging and check the availability of devices necessary for the transport of goods. The forwarder also checks the sanitary condition of the transport that will be used for transportation. He personally supervises loading and unloading operations, stacking and placement of goods. He then accompanies him to his destination. And during the journey, the duties of the forwarder include ensuring the necessary mode of storage of cargo. Upon arrival, he delivers the delivered goods and draws up all the necessary documentation. He also takes part in the preparation of acts on damage to cargo, its shortage and other similar troubles.

Still quite in demand now is the vacancy of a forwarding driver. And the usual driving experience for this position will not be enough. Such a specialist should not only deliver the goods to their destination and be able to fill out a waybill. Job ResponsibilitiesForwarding driver wider than the usual "carrier", which is reflected in his salary. He already personally, in accordance with the waybills, takes the goods in the warehouse. At the same time, the forwarding driver must check the integrity of the packaging and check whether the goods fit correctly in the back of his car. After that, all responsibility for the cargo falls on him. And he follows him during the journey until the moment of its delivery to the addressee. Such a driver must be able to correctly draw up documents that confirm the receipt and shipment of goods.

Besides duties, the freight forwarder also has rights. So, he can independently choose the route, subcontractors and vehicle, unless otherwise provided in the instructions of the customer. The freight forwarder can independently check the documents and information about the cargo that he receives from the customer. And if at the same time discrepancies arise, then he can shift the responsibility for the consequences that have arisen onto the shoulders of the client. Also, the freight forwarder can terminate the contract, while receiving payment for the work already performed, if the customer himself changed the instructions or the original terms of the contract so that it became impossible to fulfill them.