5 Things the Best Ocean Freight Shipping Companies Do That Average Ones Simply Don’t

Not all freight shipping companies are built the same. On the surface, many of them look identical. They offer containers, quote rates, and promise on-time delivery. But the moment something goes wrong, a delayed vessel, a customs hold, or a damaged shipment, the difference between a great company and a mediocre one becomes painfully obvious. At Export Depot, we have spent over 30 years operating as one of Canada’s most trusted international shipping and overseas moving companies. In that time, we have learned exactly what separates the best in this industry from those who simply fill containers and hope for the best. In this blog, we walk you through seven things that truly elite ocean freight shipping companies consistently do, and that average providers routinely skip. 

Whether you are a business shipping commercial cargo or an individual planning an overseas move, understanding these differences will help you make a smarter, safer choice.

Below are the Five Things Ocean Freight Shipping Companies Do

1. They Offer Complete Customs Expertise 

Most of the time, customs clearance is where international shipping experiences delays, fines, and frustration. Import and Export Regulations vary widely by country of origin and frequently change. A single mistake on documentation, incorrectly classifying a tariff, or not having a proper Certificate of Origin can keep your cargo at a port for days or even weeks.

Most ocean freight shipping companies will simply give you a checklist and tell you good luck, and that is the extent of their involvement in the customs clearance process. The best ocean freight forwarders take ownership of the entire customs clearance process for their customers.

At Export Depot, we handle everything throughout the complete documentation cycle for every international shipment. This includes commercial invoices, bills of lading, packing lists, export declarations, certificates of origin, letters of credit, banking documents, and consular documents. In addition, we stay abreast of the latest customs regulations for all of the markets we serve so that compliance is never an afterthought.

The Cost of Getting Customs Wrong

A single customs hold can cost more in demurrage fees, storage charges, and missed delivery windows than the original freight cost itself. Therefore, choosing a company that treats customs expertise as a core competency is one of the highest-value decisions you can make. 

2. They Provide Real-Time Tracking and Proactive Communication

One of the most frequent complaints from customers about specific shipping lines is the same across all areas of industry discussion and feedback: insufficient communication. For example, a shipment departs from the port, and the customer has no follow-up for about 2 weeks. When they ask for a follow-up, the shipping line provides a vague response. Additionally, if there were an issue with the shipment arriving on time and impacting the customer’s operations, they would have been notified after the fact.  

At Export Depot, we provide 24/7 tracking of all of our customer’s shipments throughout the logistics process, so they will always know the current status of their shipments. We provide regular updates on every phase of the delivery process, including when your shipment leaves, arrives at each transshipment location, clears customs, and finally arrives at your location. Our entire team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to assist you with urgent needs. 

Proactive Problem Resolution

Real-time visibility is valuable. However, proactive communication is more valuable. The best ocean freight shipping companies don’t wait until there is a problem to advise you. An overseas moving company notifies you of potential problems before they develop and takes corrective action to prevent the issue from occurring. 

We will notify you of any change to vessel schedules, port congestion, or documents requiring immediate attention as soon as we are notified. That is our standard at Export Depot. 

3. They Handle Specialized and Oversized Cargo Without Hesitation

Ocean freight includes a significant amount of general freight, primarily standard commercial cargo that typically fits in 20ft or 40ft containers. Conversely, a proportion of cargo transported by ocean freight doesn’t conform to this conventional format, since the majority of goods transported around the world are non-conventional. 

The majority of the best ocean freight shipping companies view shipping this type of freight as a core part of their business and also recognize that these shipments do not occur regularly.

At Export Depot, we specialize in these complex shipments. Our capabilities include:

• Oversized and out-of-gauge cargo requiring flat-rack or open-top containers
• Heavy lift cargo and project logistics for industrial equipment and machinery
• Vehicle shipping, including cars, motorcycles, boats, and construction equipment
• Dangerous goods and hazardous materials are handled under strict compliance
• Temperature-sensitive and perishable shipments with appropriate container solutions
• High-value items requiring custom crating, specialized packaging, and enhanced insurance

Furthermore, we offer full-service door-to-door handling for all of these cargo types, from origin packing and custom crating through to destination delivery and unpacking. Average providers stop at the port. We go all the way to your door. 

4. They Are Also Trusted Overseas Movers, Not Just Cargo Handlers

For individuals and families who are relocating abroad, this is a very important distinction. Most ocean freight shipping companies are focused on shipping commercial cargo, bulk items, palletized freight, and industrial shipments. However, when someone is relocating their entire life to another country, they need an international moving company to help them understand how complex moving their household items, cars, and personal belongings can be emotionally and logistically.

Our overseas movers‘ services include:

• Professional packing services with full and partial packing options
• Custom crating for fragile, high-value, and irregularly shaped items, including artwork and antiques
• Short and long-term storage at our Montreal facility
• Vehicle and boat packing, loading, shipping, and storage
• Appliance connection and disconnection, furniture assembly and disassembly
• Debris removal and unpacking assistance at the destination
• Complimentary home evaluation to assess and plan your relocation in detail

Moreover, as a trusted overseas moving company, we offer something that large freight-only carriers cannot, a genuinely personal approach. We are a family-owned business and treat your possessions like our own. And we have built our reputation on that commitment over more than three decades of serving clients across five continents.

5. They Offer Transparent Pricing With No Hidden Surprises

One of the most frustrating experiences in international shipping is receiving a low initial quote, only to discover a long list of additional charges once your cargo is already at sea. Port handling fees, documentation surcharges, customs brokerage charges, destination delivery fees, and fuel surcharges can add significantly to the cost of a shipment.

At Export Depot, we believe that competitive pricing and honest pricing are not mutually exclusive. We offer highly competitive rates because of our carrier relationships and global volume, but we also present every cost clearly before you commit. There are no surprises on your final invoice. Furthermore, we offer free rate quotes on our website, so you can review your options before speaking with our team.

The True Cost of Cheap Shipping

A low headline rate that balloons with hidden fees is always more expensive than a transparent, all-inclusive quote at a slightly higher starting point. Beyond the financial impact, hidden charges undermine trust, which is the foundation of every successful long-term shipping relationship. We have built ours over 30 years by never compromising on transparency. 

The Right Partner Makes All the Difference

At Export Depot, we have spent more than 30 years building every one of those qualities into everything we do. We are a family-owned business with global reach, a Montreal-based operation, and a team that genuinely cares about getting your shipment or belongings to you.