Exporters are usually responsible for arranging the shipment of the the products they are selling to their foreign customers.
High-value, small or time-sensitive shipments can be accommodated by express air carriers such as DHL, FedEx, UPS or U.S. Postal Service which have international departments to process the necessary export documents.
Bulky, heavy or non time-sensitive shipments can go by rail, sea or truck depending on the destination.
A Freight Forwarder works with consolidators to find the most economical mode of transport and can also provide insurance against fire, theft, seawater damage or cargo falling overboard as well as ensuring that packing material meets the requirements of the import country (ex. wood crates destined for European Union ports must be certified pest-free).