Forwarding agents generally are specialised in one or more sectors such as :

• the type of merchandise which necessitate specific transport, stocking, and handling materials;
• the geographical zones with which they have close relations, or where they even have their own bases;
• the main means of transport: sea, air, road, ...;
• the nature of the services provided to clients (transport, stocking, logistical management, ...).

• if you are an importer, you would be wise to select an experienced customs broker, as customs clearing is a complicated operation;
• if your goods have little added value, your main goal is acceptable fees, whilst speed, safety and quality of service are prevalent if your goods have a high added value;
• you can choose a single forwarding agent to whom you entrust all your operations, in order to profit from more attractive prices, but you could just as well compare several agents.

Whatever your choice of agent, and before a definitive selection is made, a request for an evaluation of costs can be done by the forwarding agents' with a quotation application form Ideally one should contact at least three agents and compare their estimates.

Whoever says " cheapest estimation " is not necessarily saying " lowest quality service " ! Indeed, some hauliers will allow you to benefit from attractive prices, in cases where your goods will be delivered in groupage along with other products or the lorry will not return empty once the delivery is completed. It can be surprising that for the same service, the price can vary from single to double. It is useful to make enquiries to the haulier or forwarding agent to know the reasons which justify this difference in price.