There are two key aspects to consider when it comes to lowering your international freight costs:
Depending on various factors such as the mode of transportation, shipment volume, shipping lanes, and packaging efficiency, the answer to this question can be quite nuanced. For instance, optimizing your packaging and maximizing the utilization of space in each cubic meter (in the case of ocean freight) can significantly reduce your cost per unit.
I respectfully disagree with the perspective mentioned below. Regardless of the size of your operation, it’s unwise to rely solely on a single Forwarder, NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier), or Carrier. These intermediaries themselves engage with multiple carriers for pricing and risk mitigation purposes. While managing multiple quotes for each shipment might seem challenging, it is indeed the most effective way to ensure you secure the best rates. It’s not uncommon to encounter price deviations of 30-50% among different forwarders.