"Freight Forwarding vs. Clearing and Forwarding: What's the Difference?"

Freight forwarding and clearing and forwarding are related but distinct services that are often provided by logistics companies.

Freight forwarding involves coordinating the movement of goods from one place to another, typically across international borders. Freight forwarders are intermediaries who specialize in organizing the transportation of goods, including the preparation of documents, coordination of carriers, and handling customs and regulatory issues.

Clearing and forwarding, on the other hand, refers specifically to the process of handling customs clearance and other regulatory issues related to the import or export of goods. This includes preparing and submitting necessary documents, classifying and valuing goods for customs purposes, and paying duties and taxes. Clearing and forwarding agents work with customs officials to ensure that the import or export of goods complies with all applicable laws and regulations.

In practice, many logistics companies provide both freight forwarding and clearing and forwarding services, as well as other related services such as warehousing and distribution. However, it is important to note that these are distinct services, and a company may specialize in one or the other, or offer both as part of a comprehensive logistics solution.

5 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Freight Forwarding Partner

Logistics companies play a vital role in facilitating trade by providing a range of services that help businesses to move goods from one place to another, typically across international borders. These services can include:

• Freight forwarding: coordinating the movement of goods, including the preparation of documents, coordination of carriers, and handling of customs and regulatory issues

• Clearing and forwarding: handling customs clearance and other regulatory issues related to the import or export of goods

• Warehousing and distribution: storing and distributing goods to the final destination

• Transportation management: planning and coordinating the movement of goods by different modes of transportation, such as by sea, air, or land

• Supply chain management: optimizing the flow of goods, information, and finances through the entire supply chain

By providing these services, logistics companies help businesses to overcome the logistical challenges involved in moving goods across borders. They help to ensure that goods are delivered to the right place, at the right time, and in the most cost-effective manner possible. This helps businesses to expand into new markets and grow their operations, ultimately contributing to the overall growth of international trade.

Freight Forwarding in Kenya: Facilitating the Movement of Goods

Freight forwarding is an important service in Kenya, as it plays a crucial role in facilitating the movement of goods within the country and internationally.

Kenya is a major gateway for trade in East Africa, with the Port of Mombasa serving as a major hub for the region. Many freight forwarders in Kenya specialize in handling shipments to and from the port, including the coordination of transportation and customs clearance.

In addition to traditional modes of transportation such as shipping and trucking, many freight forwarders in Kenya also offer air freight services, which can be particularly useful for time-sensitive or high-value shipments.

Freight forwarders in Kenya must adhere to various regulations and standards, including those set by the Kenyan Bureau of Standards and the Kenya Revenue Authority. It is important to choose a reputable and experienced freight forwarder in Kenya to ensure that shipments are handled efficiently and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Here are the top 5 freight forwarders based on years of experience and customer ratings:

1. Urgent Cargo Logistics Limited

Urgent Cargo Logistics Limited was established in 1985 and specializes in expediting the movement of goods that require immediate or time-sensitive transportation. These include shipments that are time-critical due to business or contractual obligations, or goods that are perishable or prone to deterioration.

Urgent Cargo's services are tailored to meet the needs of businesses that require fast and efficient transportation of their goods. This includes using air freight, sea freight, and other expedited shipping options, as well as coordinating the movement of goods through multiple modes of transportation in the supply chain to ensure the fastest possible delivery.

In addition to coordinating transportation, Urgent Cargo offers other services that include customs brokerage, warehousing, distribution, and managed logistics

website: www.urgentcargo.com

Contact Phone: +254 705 706 409

Email: fred@urgentcargo.com

2. Agility Kenya

Agility Kenya offers freight forwarding, contract logistics, and logistics solutions that connect your business to suppliers and markets across the world. The company offers ocean, air, road freight, and multi-modal solutions to move your goods and world-class warehousing and distribution for your inventory.

Contact Phone: 0733 604 714.

Email: saleskenya@agility.com.

3. Elisa Logistics

Elisa Logistics boasts over 25 years of experience in the transport and logistics industry. It offers value-added clearing and forwarding, logistics and warehousing solutions, and dedicated services for commodities across East Africa.

Contact Phone: +254 725 310 112.

Email: info@elisalogistics.co.ke.

4. Bollore Transport & Logistics

Bollore is a major international transport and logistics operator specializing in multimodal transport. It has subsidiaries in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Malaba, Busia, Lokichoggio, Namanga, and Eldoret.

Contacts Phone: 020 642 1000, 020 642 1007.

5. Kenfreight Group

Kenfreight is a premier transport logistics provider in East Africa, with a sizable share of the freight handling market in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, and South Sudan. The company is able to customize your logistics solutions by dedicating an experienced logistics team to each and every client.

Contact: 0734 699 697.