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Need to move freight around the UK or internationally? Stop wasting time phoning around for quotes from freight forwarders. Delivery Quote Compare streamlines the process — enter your consignment details once and start receiving competitive quotes from specialist freight forwarding companies in minutes. Every quote is free and comes with no obligation to accept.

• Compare quotes from BIFA-affiliated UK and international freight agents
• Sea freight, air freight and road freight options available
• Commercial freight, personal effects, vehicles and home removals covered
• Insurance and trade membership details included in every quote
• Real customer reviews on every freight forwarder
• Independent comparison — no affiliation with any single forwarder

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What Are Freight Forwarding Companies?

Freight forwarding companies organise the transportation of goods on behalf of importers and exporters. If you have freight to move internationally, a freight forwarder identifies the most appropriate routes, transport modes and carriers for your shipment — whether that is sea freight, air freight or road freight.

Forwarders also handle the necessary paperwork depending on the type of commodity, country of origin and destination. A freight agent may also arrange insurance and track delivery progress on your behalf. For more detail on international options, see our international freight forwarding page.

What Are the Benefits of Using an International Freight Forwarder?

Moving goods between countries and regions can be incredibly complex. A reliable freight forwarder removes much of the hard work and provides reassurance that your items will arrive in the right place, intact and on time.

A good freight agent will have reliable contacts around the world to help get the job done, as well as the experience to make sure the process runs smoothly. They can reduce your risk of encountering extra costs, legal issues around VAT and export compliance, and other costly surprises.

Because you can compare quotes from multiple freight forwarding companies through our website, the process can end up costing significantly less than you might expect.

What Can I Send Through a Freight Forwarder?

The nature of freight forwarding means you can send almost any item anywhere, as there are a wide range of specialist agents and transport methods available. The types of shipments we can help you arrange include:

• Commercial freight — products, materials and stock
• Personal effects — clothing, art and electronic devices
• Vehicles — cars, motorcycles, caravans and boats
• Home removals — furniture, boxes and household goods
• Office and commercial removals
• Palletised freight and bulk cargo

Sea, Air and Road Freight: Which Is Right for You?

Your freight forwarder will recommend the most efficient combination of transport modes based on your budget, timeline and cargo type. Here is a quick overview of each:

For European road freight specifically, see our European courier and freight page.

How Much Does International Freight Forwarding Cost?

Freight forwarding costs vary significantly depending on the transport mode, distance, cargo type and documentation required. The main factors that affect the price of your consignment are:

• Distance between collection and delivery locations
• Transport mode — sea, air or road
• Number, size and weight of items in the consignment
• Required documents, licences and customs paperwork
• Insurance and delivery tracking requirements
• Your preferred delivery schedule and urgency
• Any specialist handling requirements for fragile or hazardous goods

For the most accurate idea of what your shipment will cost, submit your consignment details and collect free quotes through our platform. Because multiple agents compete for your business, prices can drop as more quotes come in — it works like a reverse auction.

How to Choose a Reliable Freight Forwarder

BIFA Accreditation

Check whether your freight forwarder is a member of BIFA (British International Freight Association), the UK's leading trade association for international freight forwarders. Membership is not a legal requirement, but it indicates the forwarder operates to recognised industry standards and a strict Code of Practice.

Insurance and Consignment Cover

Check the level of insurance provided by the freight forwarding company. Review GOV.UK guidance on freight forwarding risk management for what cover is typically expected. If the cover is insufficient for the value of your consignment, consider an additional policy specific to that shipment. Insurance cover and trade membership details are included within each quote on our platform.

Post-Brexit Customs Considerations

Since the UK left the EU customs union, shipments between the UK and EU now require customs declarations, commodity codes and, in some cases, import duty payments. A BIFA-accredited freight forwarder will handle this on your behalf and advise on any regulatory requirements specific to your cargo type and destination. For general UK export guidance see GOV.UK export goods guidance.

Understanding Incoterms

Incoterms are internationally recognised trade terms that define the responsibilities of buyer and seller in a freight transaction. The most commonly used are:

• EXW (Ex Works) — the buyer takes responsibility for all transport from the seller's premises.
• FOB (Free on Board) — the seller covers costs until the goods are loaded onto the vessel; the buyer takes responsibility from that point.
• CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) — the seller covers cost, insurance and freight to the destination port.
• DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) — the seller is responsible for all costs including import duties and delivery to the final destination.

Your freight forwarder will advise which Incoterm is most appropriate for your shipment and ensure the correct terms are reflected in your documentation.

Why Use Delivery Quote Compare to Find a Freight Agent?

Whether you are arranging to ship personal or business items, we simplify the process. Over 40,000 people use our quote comparison service to arrange their deliveries. Here is why:

• Find specialist freight forwarding companies for a wide range of items and regions
• Get free freight agent quotes in minutes with no obligation to accept
• Save time by comparing quotes from multiple agents in one place
• Read real customer feedback before choosing your forwarder
• Fully independent — no affiliation with any single freight agent
• Insurance cover and BIFA membership status shown on every quote

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Freight Forwarding FAQ

What is the main benefit of using a freight forwarder instead of shipping directly?

A freight forwarder acts as your expert intermediary. Their main benefit is streamlining logistics by navigating complex international regulations, customs clearance and multiple transport modes. They provide reassurance that your consignment will arrive intact and on time, saving you significant effort and reducing the risk of costly delays or legal issues.

How does the cost of international freight forwarding compare to standard delivery?

International freight costs vary significantly based on distance, transport mode and documentation complexity. While typically more expensive than standard parcel delivery, using our comparison platform ensures you receive the most competitive quotes available as multiple agents bid for your business.

What is BIFA and why does it matter?

BIFA (British International Freight Association) is the UK's leading trade association for international freight forwarders. Although membership is not mandatory, choosing a BIFA-affiliated company indicates they adhere to high industry standards and a strict Code of Practice, giving you greater confidence in the service provided.

Are personal goods like furniture and art suitable for freight forwarding?

Yes. Freight forwarding covers both commercial freight and personal effects. We can arrange transport for almost any item, including home removals, large furniture and vehicles. Your forwarder will advise on specific packaging and documentation needed for non-commercial shipments.

What are the primary modes of transport used for international freight?

The three primary modes are sea freight (best for large volumes at lower cost), air freight (best for urgent or high-value items) and road freight (best for UK and European routes). Your freight forwarder will recommend the most efficient combination based on your budget and timeline.

What documents are typically needed for international freight?

Common documentation includes a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, certificate of origin, and in some cases import and export licences or customs declarations. Post-Brexit, UK to EU shipments also require customs entries and commodity codes. Your freight forwarder handles all of this on your behalf.

How long does international freight forwarding take?

Transit times vary significantly by mode and destination. Air freight typically takes 1 to 5 days. Road freight within Europe usually takes 1 to 7 days. Sea freight can take several weeks depending on the origin and destination ports. Your freight agent will confirm estimated transit times when quoting.

Related Services

• International Shipping — full international freight and shipping comparison.
• Air Freight — compare quotes for urgent international air cargo.
• European Couriers — road freight and courier services across Europe.
• Removals — international and domestic home removal quotes.
• Vehicle Transport — shipping cars, motorcycles and specialist vehicles.

Get Quotes from Freight Forwarding Companies in Minutes

Freight forwarders simplify international shipping by navigating regulations, time zones and language barriers on your behalf. Submit your consignment details once and receive competitive quotes from specialist agents immediately. No sales calls until you accept an offer.

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