In international trade, freight forwarders develop logistics engineering by coordinating and optimizing the transfer of goods between different modes of transport , ensuring that shipments arrive at their destinations on time, in accordance with applicable regulations and with the efficiency necessary to minimize operating costs.
“It is the entity that coordinates, manages and executes the operations of different modes of transport between the shipper and the consignee,” highlighted Juan Pablo Pacheco, general manager of HAF Logística Internacional , a company specializing in freight forwarding.
In an interview with T21, he explained that logistics engineering involves finding the best route, airline, ship, or container to use and selecting the appropriate unit for transporting the merchandise.
He explained that within the supply chain, freight forwarders participate when the product or merchandise is transported from its place of manufacture to the consumer, which involves its transfer by sea, air or land.
Similarly, they verify that the merchandise complies with the certifications , licenses, labeling, among other information of the destination country; in addition to providing support in the import for customs clearance at origin and review of documents.
They also implement technologies such as RFID , barcodes, and blockchain to track and monitor merchandise in real time, reducing errors and losses. They use data analytics to identify patterns and trends in the supply chain, allowing them to anticipate and mitigate potential risks.
In addition, the freight forwarder creates risk profiles for various types of product, routes, and modes of transport, which facilitates informed decision-making and the implementation of specific security measures.
In addition, it works closely with carriers , warehouses, customs authorities and other supply chain actors to share information and coordinate actions to minimize risks.
Another of its functions is to inform customers about the status of their goods and any incidents that may affect delivery, as well as to implement document management systems to maintain accurate and accessible records of all operations, including customs documentation, certificates of origin and other relevant documents.
Also, ensure that all documentation complies with current legal and regulatory requirements , which reduces the risk of penalties and delays in the supply chain.
Juan Pablo Pacheco explained that they implement safety criteria to ensure the product arrives safely at its destination and is not contaminated during transit.
Currently, there are around three thousand freight forwarders in the country , a number higher than needed, although not all of them have a security or quality certification in the supply chain, a digital platform or cost analysis.
Despite their vital participation and relevance in logistics chains, freight forwarders face challenges stemming from a lack of regulation, which is why they continue to work on the initiative to reform the Commercial Code with the aim of incorporating this figure into current federal commercial legislation.
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