What are the main types of forwarders in China?

In China, the freight forwarding industries consist of 3 types of forwarders,

·       Freight forwarders that are subordinates of major shipping lines, such as China COSCO Shipping Corporation with COSCO, Ceva Logistics with CMA, LF Logistics with MSK, to name a few.

·       Large-scale booking agents collaborate strategically with shipping lines to optimize space distribution. Their main responsibilities involve distributing space to markets, enabling shipping lines to utilize capacity efficiently and take on cost-effective goods. However, their preference is to work with direct shippers and small to medium forwarders that have significant shipping needs.

·       Small and medium forwarders account for an estimated 80% of the market and complement the large-scale forwarders. It's important to note that "small/medium" doesn't imply they can’t offer competitive rates; in fact, their independence from shipping lines allows them greater flexibility to compare options and secure the best rates for you.