Importing Polypropylene from Saudi Arabia: Tricked by a Freight Forwarder Until Found...

Importing Polypropylene from Saudi Arabia: Tricked by a Freight Forwarder Until Found me

Mr. Chen from a chemical factory in Guangzhou asked me to transport 4x40HQ containers of polypropylene from Yanbu Port, Saudi Arabia, to Guangzhou. He had heard about Sunny Worldwide Logistics and how we've earned a solid reputation as a reliable freight forwarder China to Saudi Arabia. Initially, he was cautious, as he had a bad experience last year with a cheaper freight forwarder China to Saudi Arabia and ended up regretting it.

What attracted Mr. Chen to that company was the low price. At first, he had some doubts, so he frequently communicated with the forwarder, who confidently reassured him that everything would be fine. They claimed that they handled a large volume of cargo and could negotiate discounted rates with shipping lines, though the delivery time might be a bit longer. Since Mr. Chen wasn't in a hurry, he thought their explanation made sense and decided to give them a try.

But after the payment was made, things started to feel off. Communication became difficult, and eventually, the company went completely silent. To make matters worse, Mr. Chen later found out that the company had declared bankruptcy! He was in a panic.

This is a classic case of the risks of chasing low rates. Often, small freight forwarders operating out of village offices offer below-cost rates to attract a large volume of business. Since their rates are so low, they require upfront payment. Once they've collected enough payments, they pass the cargo to a third-party provider and then suddenly declare bankruptcy.

I explained to Mr. Chen that many new freight forwarders register every year in China, but a large percentage don't survive beyond three years. This is why it's crucial to check whether the company is just a small operation and how long they've been in business.

Sunny Worldwide Logistics was founded in 1998, and with 26 years in the industry, we've established ourselves as one of the most trusted companies. We own an 1,800-square-meter Grade-A office in Shenzhen's business district and employ nearly 100 staff. We're one of the few companies with such stability, and I invited him to visit us for an in-person inspection if he had any concerns.

Mr. Chen's doubts gradually faded, and he confidently entrusted us with his shipment. With our expertise, we assisted him in obtaining a letter of credit from his Saudi client, which kicked off the journey of transporting four containers of polypropylene from Saudi Arabia to Guangzhou.

Handling polypropylene, a chemical product, is a real test of a freight forwarder's capabilities. I designed three different shipping plans from Yanbu Port for Mr. Chen to choose from. Unlike small freight forwarders operating out of village offices, Sunny Worldwide Logistics has its own trucking fleet. Many smaller forwarders have to rent trucks, which can sometimes lead to issues like theft. When business is slow, they might be able to find a truck, but during peak seasons, especially around holidays, finding a truck can be nearly impossible. Drivers often go home, making it even harder to secure transportation. However, with our own fleet, we can manage the schedules ourselves and even arrange nighttime pickups, significantly reducing delivery times.

If you want to know more about me and my experiences in international logistics, check out my diary, where I share stories about my work and the heartwarming moments I've had with clients. Feel free to reach out anytime!