Choosing a forwarder
How to choose a China to USA freight forwarder
Forwarders compete on price, but the cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest shipment. These are the questions that separate a reliable forwarder from one that will cost you money later — including us.
- Ask first
- Who is the importer of record?
- Compare
- All-in landed cost, not freight rate
- Biggest red flag
- Duty that looks too low
Updated
1. Check registrations and licences
Legitimate forwarders on China–US routes can usually show some of these. Ask which ones they hold, and verify them yourself:
- Chinese NVOCC filing with the Ministry of Transport, for companies that issue their own ocean bills of lading out of China.
- FMC licence or registration. The US Federal Maritime Commission licenses US-based ocean intermediaries, and foreign-based NVOCCs serving the US must register. The FMC publishes a searchable list.
- US customs broker. Whoever files your entries must hold a CBP customs broker licence — either the forwarder itself or a named partner.
- Industry network membership, such as WCA, is common among forwarders, though it's a commercial network rather than a licence.
2. Ask who the importer of record will be
On a DDP shipment, someone other than you acts as importer of record. That party is legally responsible for declaring your goods correctly. Ask the forwarder to name the company, and how your goods will be classified and valued.
3. Compare all-in quotes, not freight rates
Two quotes can show the same ocean rate and end up thousands of dollars apart. Ask every forwarder to quote the same thing — the same Incoterm, the same pickup and delivery addresses — and check that each quote includes:
- Origin pickup, export clearance and terminal charges
- Freight and all carrier surcharges
- ISF filing, customs entry and the customs bond
- Duty, Section 301 tariffs, MPF and HMF — if it’s a DDP quote
- Destination terminal, chassis and warehouse charges
- Delivery to your actual address, including liftgate or appointment if needed
Then ask what the quote doesn't include, and what free time is allowed at the destination port. See every charge in a landed cost.
4. Check how they actually operate
- Do they have people in China? A team near your suppliers can collect, count and check cargo, and sort out document problems before the ship leaves rather than after.
- Who handles US clearance? A licensed broker, named in advance — not "a partner".
- How will you get updates? Look for milestone updates — pickup, sailing, arrival, customs release, delivery — sent without you having to chase them.
- Who is your contact? One named coordinator is worth more than a ticket system when something goes wrong.
- Can they handle your product? Batteries, regulated goods and oversized cargo need experience — ask for examples.
5. Red flags
- Prices quoted per kilogram for ocean cargo with "everything included", no matter what the product is
- Refusing to put the importer of record or classification in writing
- Asking you to under-declare the value, or to split invoices
- No physical address, or one that doesn’t match the company registration
- Pressure to pay in full before the booking is confirmed
- Reviews and references that can’t be verified
When you're ready to compare us against your shortlist, send the same shipment details to everyone and ask us for an all-in quote.
FAQ
Choosing a forwarder: common questions
The questions importers ask us before the first booking. If yours is not here, ask us directly — a real coordinator replies, not an auto-responder.
Should I use a forwarder based in China or in the US?
Each has strengths. China-based teams are closer to suppliers and can solve problems before cargo ships; US-based teams handle customs and delivery. The best setup covers both ends, either in-house or through named partners.
Is the cheapest freight forwarder a good choice?
Only if the quote is genuinely all-in and the goods are declared correctly. Very low DDP prices often rely on under-declaring value or misclassifying goods, which can get your shipment seized.
How do I verify a freight forwarder?
Check its registrations, such as an FMC licence or registration and its customs broker; confirm its business address; ask for references from customers shipping similar goods; and ask who the importer of record will be.
Should I use my supplier’s freight forwarder?
It can work, but suppliers’ forwarders sometimes offer low freight rates and recover the difference through destination charges. Using your own forwarder keeps the costs visible.