Freight forwarding is the shipment of goods from one location to another via a single or multiple carriers via marine, air, highway, or rail. The importance of freight forwarding for international trade was recognized in 1948 in Canada with

the formation of the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA). Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association recognized that forwarding freight, whether by marine, land, air or rail requires regulation, coordination, and agreed-upon best practices to confirm that goods flow in a proficient manner and a timely overseas, across borders, and throughout the world.

The various Principles of Freight Forwarding are:

(i) The principles of freight forwarding are preceded by the transfer.

(ii) cost-effective and efficient goods that are upheld in the right condition throughout their travels.

(iii) To achieve this, freight forwarders become specialists in managing the logistics essential to confirm on-time of arrival of goods.

(iv) Successful shipping and trade in growing globalised markets mean having the appropriate tools at your disposal.

(v) Negotiating tariffs, custom regulations and being efficient in the requirements of shipping by sea, land, air, and rail. Freight forwarders manage the benefits and risks of shipping both internationally and nationally using the advancement in information technology.