What Questions Should I Ask a Freight Forwarder?
A freight forwarder's sales pitch always sounds good. The real test is how they answer specific questions. Asking the right questions before hiring a freight forwarder helps you separate experienced, transparent partners from companies that will cost you later in delays and surprise charges.
- whathow clearlyhowUse this list in your first meetings. Pay attention not just to they say, but and
quickly they answer.
Key takeaways
- Ask about licences, who clears your cargo and experience with your goods.
- Demand an itemised quote with exclusions, validity and free days.
- Test compliance: the only acceptable answer to under-declaring is no.
- Ask for an example of a shipment that went wrong and how they fixed it.
1. Company, licences and credibility
1. Are you registered with CAC and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN)? Ask for registration details. You can learn about CRFFN registration on the CRFFN portal .
2. Who clears the cargo, your own licensed customs agents or a subcontractor?
3. How long have you been operating, and on which trade lanes?
4. Can you share references from businesses with similar cargo?
5. Are you members of any international networks or associations?
Good sign: specific answers, verifiable details, and willingness to share references.
2. Experience with your shipments
6. Have you shipped goods like mine before? (Product type, size, value, regulations.) 7. Which origin countries and ports do you handle regularly?
8. Which Nigerian ports and airports do you clear at most, Apapa, Tin Can, Lekki, Onne, Lagos airport, Abuja? 9. Do you handle special cargo, dangerous goods, perishables, break bulk, vehicles? 10. What permits will my goods need, and can you manage them? (SONCAP, NAFDAC, NAQS and others.)
Red flag: "We can ship anything, no problem" without asking about your goods.
3. Pricing and quotes
11. Can you give an itemised quote showing origin, freight, destination, customs and delivery charges separately? 12. What exactly is not included?
13. Are duties and VAT included, estimated or excluded?
14. How long is the quote valid?
15. What free days are included for storage and container use?
16. How are USD charges converted to naira, and at what rate?
17. Are there charges that may apply later, examination, storage, demurrage, and how are they billed?
Learn how to read the answers in what's included in a freight forwarding quote.
4. Customs clearance and compliance
18. How do you confirm HS codes and estimate duty before shipment?
19. When do you open Form M and get the PAAR?
20. Are you set up on B'Odogwu and the National Single Window?
21. What happens if my container is selected for examination?
22. How do you handle valuation queries and debit notes?
23. Do you ever recommend under-declaring to reduce duty? (The only acceptable answer is no.) 24. Can you help us work towards AEO status in future?
Red flag: offers to "reduce duty" through undervaluation or vague descriptions. That risk falls on you.
5. Communication and tracking
25. Who will be my main contact, and how quickly do they respond?
26. What tracking updates will I receive, and at which milestones?
27. How will you tell me about delays, and how early?
See how to track your shipment in real time.
6. Risk, insurance and problem-solving
28. Do you offer cargo insurance, and what does it cover?
29. What is your liability if goods are lost, damaged or delayed?
30. Tell me about a shipment that went wrong. What happened and how did you fix it?
The last question is one of the most revealing. Every forwarder faces problems. Good ones explain honestly and show what they learned.
Bonus questions for growing businesses
- Can you consolidate goods from multiple suppliers?
- Do you offer warehousing and distribution?
- Can you deliver outside Lagos?
- Do you handle exports as well as imports?
- Can you provide monthly shipment reports?
How to score the answers
After each conversation, rate the forwarder from 1 to 5 on:
| Area | What "5" looks like |
|---|---|
| Credibility | Verifiable licences, references, clear ownership of clearance |
| Expertise | Specific knowledge of your goods, lanes and permits |
| Transparency | Itemised quotes, clear exclusions, no pressure |
| Compliance | Correct declaration approach, strong process |
| Communication | Named contact, fast responses, proactive updates |
| Problem-solving | Honest examples and clear escalation process |
Compare scores alongside prices. Our guide on how to choose the right freight forwarder includes a weighted scorecard.
Warning signs during the conversation
- They avoid giving a written quote.
- They cannot explain Form M, PAAR or permit requirements.
- They promise clearance times that sound too good to be true.
- They push for payment before explaining the process.
- They are dismissive of insurance.
- They blame Customs for everything without explaining solutions.
Questions the forwarder should ask you
A strong forwarder will also ask questions. Expect them to ask about:
- Product description and HS code.
- Weight, dimensions and number of packages.
- Value and Incoterm.
- Supplier location and ready date.
- Delivery address and deadline.
- Permits already obtained.
If they quote without asking these, their price is likely to change later.
Record the answers
Use a simple comparison sheet for each forwarder with:
- Company name, contact person and response time.
- Registration details provided.
- Lanes and product experience.
- Quote total and what is excluded.
- Clearance approach and platform readiness.
- Insurance and liability position.
- Overall score and notes.
Comparing written notes a few days later is far more reliable than relying on how a meeting felt.
Frequently asked questions
How many freight forwarders should I interview?
Two to four is usually enough to compare expertise and pricing.
Should I choose the forwarder with the lowest quote?
Not automatically. Compare what is included, service quality and risk. See why freight forwarders charge different prices.
Can I test a freight forwarder with a small shipment?
Yes. A smaller first shipment is a sensible way to assess service before moving larger volumes.
What documents should a forwarder provide after shipping?
Bill of lading or air waybill, customs entry documents, duty payment evidence, invoices and proof of delivery.
Ask us anything
We welcome tough questions. DE-BLINGS Global Logistics was built on speed, pricing that makes sense, deep customs relationships and real-time transparency. Book a free consultation and put us to the test, or learn more about us.
