FAQ
Ever wondered what Freight Forwarders do? Have a question about the paperwork involved in your shipment? Hopefully our FAQs answer all your questions!
Whether you’re shipping goods by air, sea, road, or rail, navigating the world of freight forwarding can feel complex. At WM International, we’ve answered the most common freight forwarding questions we receive, covering everything from customs clearance documentation and import/export requirements to how freight costs are calculated and what to expect regarding transit times.
Based in Birmingham, we work with businesses across the UK and internationally. So, if you’re new to international logistics or just need a quick answer, you’re in the right place.
As the quickest mode of transportation for logistics, the time frame for Air Freight usually sits between 1 and 5 days depending on the origin and destination of the goods, whether the flight is direct or indirect and upon customs clearance procedures and delays.
Generally, most goods can be shipped via air, including electronics, perishables and pharmaceuticals. However, there are certain products needing special handling, like batteries and chemicals.
Prohibited and restricted items include explosives and toxic materials, but all airlines follow the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, so this gives a much deeper dive into items that are not allowed to be shipped via air freight.
For air freight shipping, the most common customs clearance documentation required includes an Air Waybill, a Packing List, a Commercial Invoice, Export declarations and Certificates such as the Certificate of Origin.
This list can vary, with the potential of additional documents being needed, depending on the type of goods, where they are going and where they are coming from.
Air freight is typically the highest-priced option when it comes to freight forwarding. This is primarily due to the fuel costs and space inside an aircraft. But the top benefits of airfreight are speed and reliability, which also adds to the service value and therefore impacts costs.
The costing rates fluctuate with air freight, dependant on fuel prices, seasonality, route capacities and the weight and size of the goods being transported.
Air freight is the go‑to solution for high-value and time-sensitive shipments such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods. It is typically the most expensive method of freight transport, compared to road, sea and rail, but the benefits strongly outweigh the cost for those time-critical and valuable shipments.
With strong security, real‑time tracking, and careful handling at every stage, air freight gives you real peace of mind. It’s a reliable, fast, and secure option, perfect for businesses that need to protect and move their most valuable products with confidence.
Freight is goods transported in bulk across supply chains, via road, air, sea and/or rail. It is at the core of global trade, moving goods from origin to destination.
Freight Forwarding is the coordination and management of the movement of goods from point A to B, being transported internationally or domestically.
With Freight Forwarding being the planning and arranging of moving goods in bulk around the globe, this means the key duties of a freight forwarding company include;
- The planning of shipments (routes, carriers and transportation modes – air, sea, road and/or rail)
- Documentation handling (Customs documents & export/import forms)
- Organise shipping consolidation (if possible) to reduce shipping costs
- And they can provide additional services, such as; warehousing, insurance and tracking.
An FTL is a full truckload, so the full truck is booked for your shipment. An LTL is a less-than-truckload, where your goods share the space within the container with other shippers’ goods – ideal for smaller shipments.
