Shipping your goods and items always comes with a little dose of anxiety. Will they make it to their location on time? Will they even make it at all? If they do, how do you know that nothing will happen to them in the meantime? There are many questions that might be running through your mind when you need to ship something – especially when doing it overseas. So, how do you stop this from happening? How can you ease into the process? Do you let someone handle your cargo? Are there ways to secure it yourself? In this article, we look at some of the ways in which you can handle freight forwarding problems in Saudi Arabia. With our help, you will get some idea about the whole process, as well as your role in it.
What are some of the ways to handle freight forwarding problems in Saudi Arabia?
The first thing you might want to know about when moving possessions overseas is if there will be any problems with the shipment. This is a natural thing – you want to stop them from happening. Luckily, there is a way for you to take an active – and even a proactive – role in the process. So, one of the best things to do is read up on the topic – and you’re already there! By learning more about the common problems, you will be prepared to stop them. But what are these problems?
- The use of dated technology and personnel.
- Shipping fees that can surprise you.
- Getting stuck in customs is one of the common freight forwarding problems in Saudi Arabia.
Why technology and personnel is important
Nowadays, we have everything at our fingertips. The advent of technology has brought a lot of change to the modern world – including the world of freight forwarding. Because of this, many freight forwarding companies are trying to compete in who will have the most advanced technology on their disposal. By doing this, they often put the people they work with in the background.
Both people and technology are important to freight forwarding.
However, the freight forwarding process is not technologically automated yet. A lot of importance goes into who deals with your package – from packing it to securing the shipment and finally delivering it. Companies forgetting this is one of the most improtant freight forwarding problems in Saudi Arabia.
Luckily, there is an easy solution to this problem. All you need to do is find some good logistics company with reliable workers. One of the best in Saudi Arabia, for example, is fourwinds-ksa.com. Not only do they have experience with freight forwarding, but they also train their workers to get the highest possible efficiency, and ensure the safety of your items.
Don’t get surprised by the shipping fees
Another thing that might leave you flabberghasted is the surprise shipping fees. And these are not the good type of surprise, either! This is because some carriers will have pretty complicated pricing structures and systems. You will need to tackle them head-on in order to learn more about them. This way, you will not be surprised when your shipping bill arrives!
Some shipping fees might take you by surprise.
One of the most common freight forwarding problems in Saudi Arabia that you may encounter is the fuel surcharge. This can vary depending on where you are shipping things to, and it is usually in the form of a percentage of the shipping costs. Because of the nature of the long-distance shipment, this can impact your wallet significantly. The second thing you may also need to worry about is the remote area surcharge. If the delivery is not along the usual path of the courier – or they need to go an extra mile to deliver your stuff, then you may get an additional charge to your bill. If you are working with clients, then tell them about extra shipping charges they can expect.
You might want to get some help when moving overseas, especially if your destination is one of these remote areas. Freight forwarders and moving companies will know the best ways to deal with this, so it’s a smart idea to include them in the process.
Getting stuck in customs is one of the freight forwarding problems in Saudi Arabia
Another thing that can scare a lot of people is customs. Different countries have different laws connected to importing items, and you need to read up on them before sending something. Saudi Arabia is no exception. For example, you are strictly forbidden from importing alcohol and drugs into the Kingdom. The customs may have problems with other items you are importing too, so, if it is something really valuable, you might want some help. For example, getting some professional freight forwarders for shipping your car overseas will always be a good idea.
Customs may cause problems for your items.
So, what can you do if your parcel is stuck in the customs’ office? First, you should contact your courier immediately. A lot of them (mentioned ones included) are also customs brokers. What that means is that they can deal with the issues head-on, and can be of great help when dealing with freight forwarding problems in Saudi Arabia. Then, you should also look into various taxes you might need to pay. They can also be the reason for the customs’ delay. Finally, check if you have all the correct paperwork. If there is anything missing, the officers might have a problem with letting an item into Saudi Arabia (or any other country, for that matter).
