International Freight and Cargo Services: A Guide to Moving Goods Worldwide

International freight and cargo services involve the transportation and coordination of commercial goods between countries.
Depending on the shipment, goods may travel by:

The journey can also involve collection, warehousing, customs clearance, documentation, port or airport handling and final delivery.
For example, a shipment imported from Asia into the UK might be collected from a supplier by truck, transported to a seaport, shipped by container to the UK and then delivered by road to the importer's warehouse.
International freight is therefore about more than the main method of transportation. It's about coordinating the complete movement of cargo through the supply chain.

Air freight is one of the fastest ways to transport commercial goods internationally.
Cargo can move between major international airports in a relatively short period, making air freight particularly useful for urgent and time sensitive shipments.
Air freight can be suitable for:

Speed is the main advantage.
If a manufacturer urgently needs a component to keep production running, for example, the higher transportation cost of air freight may be justified by avoiding a much more expensive production delay.
However, air freight has greater limitations on cargo size and weight than sea freight and will generally cost more. Businesses should therefore consider the commercial value of faster delivery when deciding whether to transport goods by air.

Road freight provides flexible transportation for goods moving within the UK and between the UK and European destinations.
It is particularly valuable because trucks can collect and deliver goods directly between commercial locations.
Services can include:

For smaller shipments, groupage services can allow businesses to share vehicle capacity with other cargo. For larger or more urgent shipments, a full or dedicated vehicle may provide a more suitable solution.
Road freight is also an essential part of air and sea freight.
Even when cargo travels thousands of miles by aircraft or container ship, road transport will often be used to move it to or from the airport or port.
Explore Intercargo's road and international freight services.

The right method depends on what you're shipping and what your business needs.

Air freight can be suitable when goods are urgent, valuable or time sensitive.
The transportation cost may be higher, but getting the cargo to its destination quickly can provide greater commercial value.

Sea freight can be more appropriate when you're moving large or heavy quantities internationally and can accommodate longer transit times.
Good inventory planning can allow businesses to benefit from the capacity and economics of ocean transportation.

Road freight can provide a flexible solution for domestic and European transportation, particularly when direct collection and delivery are important.
Businesses can choose between consolidated and dedicated services depending on the shipment.

Rail freight can provide another option for businesses moving cargo over long distances. It can also be combined with air, sea and road transportation as part of a multimodal freight strategy.

International freight prices depend on many variables, so there isn't one standard rate for transporting cargo.
Factors can include:

For air freight, the relationship between actual weight and volumetric weight can be particularly important. For sea freight, costs can depend on whether the shipment moves as FCL or LCL and which container or service is required. For road freight, the number of pallets, distance, vehicle type and whether the service is consolidated or dedicated can influence pricing.
Accurate shipment information is therefore essential when requesting an international freight quote.

Documentation requirements vary according to the cargo and countries involved.
Common documents can include:

Businesses should establish the documentation requirements before dispatching cargo.
Errors discovered after goods have started moving can create unnecessary delays and additional costs.

Choosing a freight forwarder isn't simply about finding the lowest freight rate.
Businesses should consider whether their logistics provider understands the complete requirements of their shipments.

Useful questions include:
Can they arrange the transport method you need? Can they support customs clearance? Do they cover your required origins and destinations? Can they coordinate door to door transportation? Can they help when requirements change?
Communication is also important. International supply chains can involve multiple carriers, borders and handling points. Having a freight partner that can coordinate these different stages can make managing shipments considerably easier.