How to choose a carrier for personal and business needs

International trade is breaking all popularity records. The maritime (cargo) transport market is represented by approximately 300 companies and individuals, and this is only in the direction of China. Many companies offer cargo delivery services, but far from all of them are reliable, competent, and trustworthy.

Why is international business so popular?

This business direction is successfully developing and steadily gaining momentum. There are many reasons:

• Attractive prices in local markets, various discounts, and promotional offers from sellers in China, the USA, and Europe.
• A wide variety of products that are not available in Ukraine.
• Products from local factories are of decent quality, especially in some segments. For example, Turkey has a highly developed textile industry, and Europe has many electronics factories.

As trade between countries develops, the number of intermediaries grows. After all, businesses need to transport goods from point A to point B, and sometimes thousands of kilometers separate them by sea and land. Therefore, add two questions to the carrier selection criteria:

• What products do you plan to buy, and whom will you trust for delivery? It’s important to consider all nuances and understand that many companies will offer not only transportation but also related logistics services.
• What additional services can they provide: consolidation in the warehouse, repackaging, customs, and permit documentation.

It’s definitely better to choose multi-profile companies that have their own warehouses, customs brokers, and inspectors on the ground. This way, you can cover most of your needs when expanding your business internationally.

How to choose a freight carrier: key criteria

When choosing a transport company, it’s important to consider a number of critical details:

• The company’s experience in the logistics market. High demand leads to high supply. Only those companies that consistently provide quality services quickly and within the full range of declared services survive.
• Don’t hesitate to thoroughly study the company's website. A competent carrier will provide comprehensive information on every question that might arise for a potential client.
• Study reviews from businesses and individuals who have already used the company's services. This will give you a more accurate picture of the company’s real operations.
• Many overlook one not-so-obvious detail: it’s important to know if the company has physical offices and warehouses (for example, its own warehouses in China: Shenzhen, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai) and in the destination country. If the firm is reliable and has built a large client base, it will have an extensive logistics network. Such a company will not ruin its reputation.
• Make sure to review the contract text. It’s better to consult with a lawyer who is a native speaker or proficient in English, Chinese, or another language and familiar with the regulations of the contracting countries. This way, you can quickly identify any potential pitfalls and nuances that could be dangerous. The full range of services will be clear and unambiguous.

Note that carriers may offer a range of additional services. These will enhance the safety of your goods’ passage to their destination. So, other important criteria for choosing a transport company include:

• Finding a supplier for the type of product you want;
• Responsible quality control;
• Packing and consolidation of goods;
• Preparation of all supporting documents (customs broker);
• Competent support for your transactions at all stages;
• Any other assistance that ensures smooth import and export of products.

A competent and reliable company will also help quickly and competently resolve any issues that arise with suppliers and carriers directly on-site. They will defend your interests and work to secure insurance compensation.

Key challenges when choosing a freight carrier

The main challenge is finding a partner who provides the full range of services for your business. For example, you want to import two batches of goods from China: one needs to be delivered quickly — requiring air freight. The second can be delivered later, so sea freight is more cost-effective. Therefore, only a large company that handles both (or more) types of transportation will suit you.

The second challenge is the transparency of terms. Many companies use hidden charges for extra payments after delivery. This makes it difficult for clients to estimate the cost of services and determine whether it's worth transporting this product.

The third criterion is knowledge of laws, standards, and regulations. For example, international road transport of oversized cargo is strictly regulated. Imagine that your contractor’s driver is stopped in Poland, fined heavily, or even detained for inspection.

Therefore, how to choose a reliable carrier is an entire science. You need to find a company with transparent terms, fixed prices, logistics available 24/7, extensive experience, and high-quality service. The short answer is — contact DiFFreight!

Why is it beneficial to cooperate with DiFFreight?

DiFFreight will impress you with its reliability, quality, and professionalism.
If you are involved in exporting goods from the USA, China, or Europe to Ukraine, we invite you to contact us and not risk operating in a country whose trade nuances you may not know. Why DiFFreight:

• We have over 7 years of experience in export and import. One of our main activities is cooperation with Chinese colleagues. But besides China, we quickly, comfortably, and safely deliver goods to 22 other countries.
• Our mission is simple and clear: we transport your goods at fair rates and avoid additional costs.
• Ready and custom solutions. Cargo deliveries from China to Ukraine are made regularly. We offer containerized cargo shipments, including loading and unloading services and other port services.

Do you have any questions? Contact us by any convenient method.