The first thing you'll need to decide is which mode of transportation you want sea, air, road or rail. All have their pros and cons but your stock, time scale, budget and end destination should help narrow this down.

The British international freight association (BIFA) is the official freight association, they aim to promote best practice within the freight industry and you should really think twice before you choose a company who isn't a member. They cover UK companies who are engaged in the international movement of freight, including road, rail, sea and air, packing, warehouse, customs etc and have around 1,400 members in the UK (a full list can be obtained from their website)

Once you've decided which mode of transportation to go with, you'll need a list of several companies which will cater for your cargo to get several quotes from. To get your list you'll need to do some thorough research. The best place to start would be with the list on BIFA, then run your list through the Internet and check out their websites (any reputable company should have a website). The longer they've been trading the more reliable they're likely to be, they should also be proud to display testimonials from their website which are always worth checking up on.

Do not simply go with the cheapest quote, choosing a freight provider on price alone isn't advisable. It may prove prudent to speak to the companies quoting a higher price and simply ask them to explain their quote. Every company should be proud of their prices and they may offer something as standard which the other cheaper companies may charge extra for (for example additional insurance). Although it may take a little longer, email correspondence ensures that everything is in writing which minimises the risks of confusion at a later date.

Check exactly what's included in all your quotes, fuel charge, customs clearance fees, customs brokerage fees, trucking fees and insurance can all sneak in as hidden extras. Most reputable freight companies (especially those who are members of the BIFA) will have standard liability insurance which covers against compensation claims, even the most competent and reliable freight company can't help being held up by protesters at ports or traffic delays.

Check what services are provided as standard and which are optional extras, if you're going for a shipping company, can they collect your product, or do you have to arrange to have it waiting at their depot or port? What's their turn around time? If you're shipping half way around the world, next day delivery may not be feasible but it should be if you're simply trying to ship to Ireland from the main land UK. Do they deliver your products to a specific address or is it left at a port or depot? Most companies should offer a door-to-door service which should take some of the hassle away from you.