Guide
How to choose an FBA forwarder as a small seller
Updated
Forwarders selling into this market all describe themselves similarly. Four questions separate the ones who understand the last mile from the ones who simply carry boxes.
Are you licensed, and as what
The Federal Maritime Commission issues licensure to ocean transportation intermediaries, covering NVOCCs and ocean freight forwarders, to those demonstrating compliance with regulatory standards, and reviews business records for compliance with the Shipping Act.
Ask which category they operate in and verify with the agency. It is the one credential in this chain you can check independently.
Who books the appointment
This is the question that predicts whether your shipment arrives cleanly. A forwarder who books appointments, checks labelling and knows current carton requirements is providing the service you actually need.
One who delivers to an address and considers the job done is selling you the commodity half of the problem.
What is in the quote
Origin handling, ocean freight, customs entry, duty, delivery, prep and appointment. Ask for each explicitly and compare totals, because a quote covering the sea leg alone will always look cheapest.
Then ask about detention and demurrage: how many free days and what the daily rate is afterwards.
What happens when it goes wrong
Ask what they do if a delivery is refused, if a container is held at customs, or if cartons are rejected at receiving. A forwarder with clear answers has been there.
One who says it does not happen has told you they will not be much help when it does.