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4 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Freight Forwarder

06 August, 2025

We’ve already talked about why freight forwarding is a smart choice for your logistics. Yet, unfortunately, many businesses—especially those expanding into new markets or scaling logistics operations—fall into avoidable traps when outsourcing logistics.

Four of the most common mistakes

companies make when selecting a freight forwarding partner, and how to avoid them.

1. Prioritizing Price Over Performance

While cost control is essential, choosing a freight forwarder based solely on the lowest quote can backfire. Budget providers often exclude key services like customs clearance, cargo insurance, or last-mile coordination—leading to delays, hidden fees, or even cargo loss.

What to do instead: Evaluate the total value proposition. A reliable forwarder offers more than transportation—they provide risk mitigation, proactive communication, and contingency planning. A slightly higher rate often translates into fewer disruptions and better long-term outcomes.

2. Overlooking Compliance and Licensing

International and even intra-EU transportation involves a web of regulations. Many businesses fail to verify whether their forwarder is properly licensed, bonded, and compliant with local and international trade laws.

Why it matters: A forwarder with the right credentials ensures your cargo moves legally and efficiently, avoiding customs delays, fines, or reputational damage. Look for affiliations with ISO compliance, FIATA, IATA, or national and international logistics associations.

3. Ignoring Network Coverage and Local Expertise

A freight forwarder’s strength lies in their global and local network. Without reliable partners at origin and destination points—whether in Warsaw, Rotterdam, or Shenzhen—your cargo is vulnerable to miscommunication, port congestion, and handling errors.

What to ask: Does the forwarder have proven partnerships in your key markets? Can they handle both domestic and international shipments with equal efficiency?

4. Failing to Assess Industry-Specific Experience

Freight forwarding is not one-size-fits-all. A forwarder experienced in fashion retail may not be equipped to handle pharmaceuticals, automotive parts, or high-value electronics. Still, many companies don’t dig deep into a provider’s sector-specific expertise.

What to look for: A proven track record in your industry or cargo type. Ask for case studies, references, and examples of how they’ve handled similar to your request challenges.

At AF TRANS, we’ve spent years building a reputation as a trusted logistics partner for companies across industries. Whether you need local distribution in Poland, EU-wide road freight, or global multimodal solutions, we combine operational precision, digital transparency, and a strong international network to deliver results.

Let’s talk about how we can support your logistics strategy.
Contact us or explore our services to see how we can help your business.

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