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The freight forwarder in Barcelona is a very important figure in the logistics chain, with multiple stakeholders that you must consider when importing or exporting your goods. For this reason, in this post we detail all the actors involved in the international transport of goods and who play an important role.
Customs agent and each stakeholder’s role in the logistics chain
Globalization and digitalization have led to an increasingly well-defined international logistics chain. The stakeholders involved may have very different realities and responsibilities. The most prominent are the following:
Natural persons
There are many people involved in an international logistics process, especially when an import or export takes place. On the one hand, the exporter oversees shipping a product outside our borders, after approval by customs agencies. He is tasked with managing the inventory, the transport and dispatching the goods. He must also take care of the entire documentary process.
The importer, on the other hand, oversees bringing a foreign-made product into our country. This stakeholder plays a very important role in the supply chain, as he is responsible for resolving the generally very strict customs formalities for the entry of the product and for paying the taxes and duties.
The customs broker represents the company, which can be either an importer or an exporter. On the one hand, he represents the company before the customs authorities. On the other hand, he plays a very important role in advising all the actors in the logistics chain. In addition, it is responsible for a physical inspection of the goods to be transported, if required by the customs authorities.
Finally, the freight forwarder, or logistics operator, is in charge of the design, management and execution of all the stages that make up a logistics or supply chain. This requires specific training and the necessary financial solvency to perform this function. It can be an internal department of the company, or work for other clients. In general terms, its functions are to process all incoming and outgoing orders, to manage the stock and storage of goods and to plan transport in all its forms.
Modalities
The different modes of logistics have been growing steadily over the last few centuries, especially since the coronavirus pandemic. According to a report by eMarketer, e-commerce orders grew by 40 % in 2020. Globalization has also increased cross-border transports. Broadly speaking, we can find two logistical methods:
- International freight: This type of transport covers all orders that go beyond the borders of one country and therefore involve an importing and an exporting country.
- Internal haulage: This includes all orders that take place within the borders and, therefore, there is no intervention of a customs agent.
Physical entities
The exporter and the importer role within the logistics chain at the international level is carried out by two main physical entities. In maritime transport, they are the following:
- Port of origin: This is where the operations begin and where the goods are shipped by the exporter are loaded.
- Port of destination: Finally, after maritime transport, the goods arrive at this port where the importer can pick up his order.
All these professional groups play an important role in ensuring that any type of logistics operation, whether national or international, is carried out correctly.
If everything is in order, the administrator or concessionaire of the port facilities will give us the authorization to leave the premises and enter with the vehicle in the loading port. Subsequently, the entire loading control procedure will be carried out before the hauling.
Finally, all the needed corrections will be made in the exporter’s declaration to the customs agency, if necessary, and will be notified through electronic means.
Upon arrival, it is necessary to carry out the import formalities, which require the presentation of several administrative documents: the economic operator number, the (DUA) declaration and the documents referring to the goods: pro forma, commercial, customs and commercial invoices, the list of contents and the insurance policy. Once the goods have been cleared for entry into the destination country, they can be released for storage and use.
A greater number of controls in international transport
As foreign trade operators, we must also be very attentive to the requirements to be fulfilled before the relevant authorities. The General Customs Law has reinforced all controls in reference to prior authorizations, quality systems, traceability of operations and financial solvency. This is essential for any type of operation. In addition, any customs agent must have the corresponding professional qualification, which is issued by the Tax Agency after an official examination. and the rest of the actors involved in this process are experts in Incoterms 2020. This makes it possible to group together all the terms and requirements that an international sales transaction must comply with. These are not fixed but are updated approximately every 10 years.
As a freight forwarder in Barcelona, eGlobe has a worldwide network of up to 500 correspondents who provide services at air, land or sea level. We have all the stakeholders in the international logistics chain fully coordinated. We assist companies in the transport of goods. Request more information and ask for a no-obligation quote.