In international trade, a reliable forwarding agent can be the difference between smooth deliveries and costly delays. For importers, exporters and wholesalers moving goods into and across Africa, the right logistics partner is essential.

What is a forwarding agent?

A forwarding agent (often called a freight forwarder or shipping agent) is a specialist company that arranges the movement of goods from origin to destination on your behalf. They don’t usually own the ships, trucks or planes. Instead, they:

• Coordinate with multiple carriers

• Handle documentation and customs requirements

• Consolidate shipments to reduce costs

• Track cargo and manage exceptions

In short, a forwarding agent acts as your logistics manager for international shipments so you can focus on buying and selling.

Wigmore Trading works with reputable global and regional carriers to manage end-to-end freight for clients importing into and exporting out of Africa. Wigmore Trading can help.

Key responsibilities of a forwarding agent

A good forwarding agent takes care of tasks that many businesses find time-consuming or confusing.

1. Freight planning and route selection

Forwarding agents compare different routes, modes and carriers to find the best option for your cargo and timelines. This may involve:

• Choosing between sea, air or multimodal solutions

• Balancing transit time vs. freight cost

• Planning peak-season shipments to avoid congestion

For African trade, this planning is critical, as some ports and border crossings experience congestion and infrastructure challenges. A forwarding agent with regional experience—like Wigmore Trading—can recommend practical routes and realistic timelines.

2. Negotiating freight rates

Because forwarding agents move cargo for multiple clients, they can often secure better rates than an individual shipper approaching a carrier directly. They:

• Negotiate ocean and air freight rates

• Arrange consolidation to spread costs across multiple shipments

• Advise on container utilization to avoid paying for unused space

This can translate into lower landed costs and more competitive pricing in your markets.

3. Documentation and compliance

International trade involves a significant amount of paperwork. A forwarding agent helps you prepare and manage documents such as:

• Commercial invoice and packing list

• Bill of lading or air waybill

• Certificates of origin and inspection certificates

• Import permits and licences, where required

They also help ensure your shipments comply with local regulations, product standards and customs rules. This is particularly important when trading with multiple African countries, each with its own import requirements.

Wigmore Trading’s team is experienced in documentation for FMCG, food products, household goods and industrial supplies across key African markets. Get in touch with our team to learn more.

4. Customs clearance support

While customs brokers handle the actual clearance, a forwarding agent works closely with them to:

• Submit accurate information in advance

• Ensure HS codes and declared values are consistent

• Respond quickly to customs queries

If customs authorities need additional documents or clarifications, your forwarding agent coordinates the response, reducing the risk of penalties and delays.

5. Cargo tracking and problem solving

Once your shipment is on the move, a forwarding agent:

• Monitors cargo status with carriers

• Provides updates on ETAs and any disruptions

• Helps resolve issues like roll-overs, port delays or missing documents

Instead of dealing with several shipping lines and truckers yourself, you have a single point of contact. Wigmore Trading can help you stay informed and react quickly when plans need to change.

Why a forwarding agent matters for African trade

Doing business in and with Africa offers strong growth potential, but logistics can be complex. A forwarding agent with on-the-ground knowledge provides real advantages.

Navigating port and border challenges

Some African ports face congestion, varying service quality and infrastructure constraints. Borders may have changing procedures or specific documentation requirements. An experienced forwarding agent:

• Knows which ports and corridors are more reliable

• Understands typical clearance times

• Helps you plan realistic lead times and safety stock

Wigmore Trading’s experience in West and Central Africa means you benefit from practical, tested logistics solutions instead of trial and error.

Managing multi-country distribution

Many wholesalers and distributors serve more than one market. A forwarding agent can design:

• Hub-and-spoke models, e.g. consolidating in one warehouse then distributing regionally

• Cross-docking and trans-shipment strategies

• Optimised container loads for multiple destinations

This is especially useful for FMCG and consumer products, where availability and shelf-life matter.

How to choose the right forwarding agent

Not all forwarding agents offer the same level of service. When selecting a partner, consider the following.

Sector and regional experience

Look for a forwarding agent that understands your product type and target markets. Ask:

• Do they handle similar goods (e.g. food products, retail items, industrial goods)?

• Do they have experience with your origin and destination countries?

Wigmore Trading focuses on trade flows into, within and out of Africa, with strong relationships across key ports and suppliers.

Transparency and communication

Good communication is essential in logistics. Your forwarding agent should provide:

• Clear quotations with all expected charges

• Regular shipment status updates

• A single, responsive contact person

If you often struggle to know where your goods are, it may be time to work with a more proactive forwarding agent.

Service range

Ideally, your forwarding agent can support more than just port-to-port freight. Value-adding services might include:

• Sourcing and procurement support

• Warehousing and inventory management

• Inland transport and last-mile delivery

• Consolidation for multiple suppliers

Wigmore Trading combines forwarding, sourcing and distribution capabilities to give clients an integrated solution rather than a series of disconnected providers.

When should you work with a forwarding agent?

You may benefit from partnering with a forwarding agent if:

• You are new to importing or exporting and unsure about procedures

• Your internal team spends too much time chasing carriers and documents

• You are expanding into new African markets and need reliable logistics

• Your current shipments face frequent delays or unexpected costs

In these situations, a forwarding agent like Wigmore Trading can help you simplify operations, reduce risk and focus on sales and growth.

Simplify Your African Logistics with the Right Forwarding Agent

A forwarding agent adds value whether you are new to importing, scaling up shipment volumes, or coordinating deliveries to multiple customers from a single import. Working with the right partner turns complex cross-border logistics into a competitive advantage.

Instead of firefighting delays and documentation issues, you gain a partner who anticipates problems, keeps your cargo moving, and helps you plan for growth. Whether you are an exporter shipping commodities, a wholesaler importing FMCG, or a manufacturer supplying distributors across Africa, Wigmore Trading can help.

Contact Wigmore Trading today to streamline your sourcing, customs clearance, and logistics into and across African markets.