Frequently Asked Questions

Freight forwarding is a service that arranges the storage and shipping of merchandise on behalf of shippers. We organize the entire logistics process including documentation, customs clearance, warehousing, and transportation via air, sea, or land to ensure your cargo reaches its destination safely and on time.

Union Freight Forwarder is an AEO-certified customs broker with over 20 years of experience in Thailand. We offer comprehensive logistics solutions including air freight, sea freight, cross-border trucking, customs clearance, and bonded warehousing. Our dedicated team ensures fast clearance, competitive rates, and personalized service for every shipment.

AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) is an internationally recognized certification granted by customs authorities to companies that meet high supply chain security standards. As an AEO-certified broker, Union Freight Forwarder enjoys expedited customs clearance, fewer inspections, priority processing, and mutual recognition in partner countries—saving you time and costs.

We serve worldwide destinations with specialized focus on ASEAN countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore), China, USA, Europe, Japan, Australia, and the Middle East. Our cross-border trucking network connects Thailand directly with neighboring countries, while our global carrier partnerships enable door-to-door service to any destination.

LCL (Less-than-Container Load) is for shipments that don't fill a full container—your cargo shares space with other shippers' goods, making it cost-effective for smaller volumes. FCL (Full-Container Load) means you rent an entire container exclusively for your cargo, ideal for larger shipments, faster transit, and better security. We help you choose the most economical option based on your cargo volume.

Air freight is faster (3-7 days) but more expensive—best for urgent, high-value, or perishable goods. Sea freight is cost-effective for larger volumes and non-urgent shipments (15-45 days). We analyze your cargo type, urgency, budget, and destination to recommend the optimal mode. For flexible budgets, we also offer air-sea combined solutions that balance speed and cost.

Transit times vary by mode and destination: Air freight: 3-7 days globally. Sea freight: 15-20 days to China/ASEAN, 25-35 days to USA, 30-45 days to Europe. Cross-border trucking: 3-5 days Bangkok–Hanoi, 2-4 days Bangkok–Singapore. These are typical transit times; actual delivery depends on customs clearance, documentation, and routing. Contact us for precise estimates for your specific shipment.

Yes! We provide real-time tracking for all shipments. Once your cargo is dispatched, you'll receive a tracking number and access to our online portal where you can monitor your shipment's status 24/7. For air and sea freight, we track via carrier systems; for road freight, our fleet has GPS tracking. Our team also sends proactive updates at key milestones—departure, customs clearance, and arrival.

Yes, we are certified to handle dangerous goods (DG), hazmat, temperature-controlled cargo, oversized equipment, perishable goods, and high-value shipments. Our team is trained in IATA/IMDG regulations and works closely with specialized carriers. We handle all required documentation, labeling, packaging compliance, and safety protocols to ensure your special cargo is transported legally and safely.

Customs clearance in Thailand involves: 1) Document submission (commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, import license if required), 2) Declaration filing via EDI system, 3) HS code classification and duty calculation, 4) Customs inspection (if selected), 5) Payment of duties and taxes, 6) Release order issuance. As an AEO broker, Union Freight expedites this process with priority lanes and fewer inspections—typically clearing within 1-3 days.

Standard documents include: Commercial Invoice (value & description), Packing List (weight & dimensions), Bill of Lading or Airway Bill (transport contract), Certificate of Origin (for preferential duty), Export License (for controlled goods), Insurance Certificate (if insured). Additional documents may be required depending on cargo type—e.g., phytosanitary certificates for food, MSDS for chemicals. We guide you through all documentation requirements.

Import duties in Thailand are calculated based on: 1) CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight), 2) HS code classification (determines duty rate 0-80%, most goods 5-30%), 3) VAT at 7% on (CIF + Duty), 4) Excise tax for specific goods (alcohol, tobacco, luxury items). Free Trade Agreements (FTA) may reduce or eliminate duties if Certificate of Origin is provided. We provide accurate duty estimates before shipping and handle all tax payments on your behalf.

A bonded warehouse is a secured facility where imported goods can be stored without paying duties and taxes until they're sold domestically or re-exported. You benefit if: you're re-exporting goods, need time to find buyers, want to consolidate shipments, or defer duty payments to improve cash flow. Union Freight operates bonded warehouses near Suvarnabhumi Airport and Laem Chabang Port with full inventory management and security.

Shipping costs depend on: cargo weight/volume (whichever is greater), dimensions, origin/destination, mode (air/sea/truck), service speed, fuel surcharges, and peak season rates. As a rough guide: Air freight: $4-8/kg, Sea freight: $800-2,000 per 20ft container, Cross-border trucking: $500-1,500 per trip. Contact us with your shipment details for an accurate quote. We negotiate volume discounts for regular shippers.

We believe in full transparency—no hidden fees. Our quotes include freight charges, fuel surcharges, security fees, and documentation fees. Additional costs that may apply separately: destination port charges, customs duties/taxes (paid to government), special handling fees (if cargo requires), storage fees (if cargo sits beyond free time), and delivery charges (for door delivery). We provide itemized quotes upfront so you know exactly what to expect.

For new customers, we typically require 50% deposit upon booking and 50% before cargo release. Established customers with good credit history can request credit terms (15-30 days). We accept bank transfers, company checks, and cash payments. For regular shippers, we offer monthly billing with consolidated invoices. All payments include VAT receipts and proper tax documentation for your accounting.

Yes! We specialize in e-commerce logistics including Amazon FBA prep and forwarding, Shopee/Lazada cross-border shipping, dropshipping fulfillment, and DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) international shipping. We handle inventory management, order consolidation, labeling/repackaging, and multi-channel distribution. Our bonded warehouse enables fast order processing with flexible stock management for online sellers.

Absolutely! We welcome businesses of all sizes. For SMEs and startups, we offer flexible solutions including LCL consolidation (no need for full containers), shared warehousing, and scalable pricing. We don't have minimum shipment requirements—whether you're shipping 10kg or 10 tons, we provide the same professional service. Our team helps new exporters/importers navigate documentation and compliance step-by-step.