Freight Forwarding: Pay India Suppliers Fast
Freight forwarders and logistics companies managing international shipments and payments Send INR payments to India suppliers with t+0 (2.3s avg within unicorn network). Save 86% vs traditional banks.
Save £3,025 per £100k Payment
Typical savings for Freight Forwarding paying India suppliers
- ❌ 2-3 day settlement
- ❌ Hidden FX margins
- ❌ High correspondent bank fees
- ❌ Manual compliance checks
- ✓ T+0 (2.3s avg within Unicorn network)
- ✓ Transparent pricing
- ✓ UPI (Unified Payments Interface) available
- ✓ 0.14s automated compliance
At £500k-£5M monthly volume, save £36,300/year
Common Challenges: Freight Forwarding in India
Industry Pain Points
- Multi-currency payments to agents worldwide
- Demurrage and detention costs from delays
- Thin margins (3-8%) vulnerable to FX
- High payment volume (200+ monthly)
Country-Specific Considerations
- FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) compliance
- RBI (Reserve Bank of India) reporting for large transactions
- Import/export code (IEC) required for trade payments
- GST (Goods and Services Tax) documentation
How Unicorn Solves Freight Forwarding Payment Challenges in India
Fast Settlement: T+0 (2.3s avg within Unicorn network)
Use UPI (Unified Payments Interface) for instant INR settlement.Instant mobile payments, free for merchants
Real-Time FX Exposure Tracking
Upload supplier invoices as PDFs. Our AI OCR extracts amounts and currencies. See exactly what waiting costs you in real-time. Lock rates for 15 seconds when you see a good rate.
0.14s Compliance Screening
Automated compliance checks for India regulations.FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) compliance handled automatically.
Freight Forwarding Payment Profile
Understanding the payment dynamics of Freight Forwarding when paying India suppliers
⏱ Payment Timing
Payment before cargo release. Port fees due immediately. Agent payments Net 7-14 days. High frequency: 5-20 payments daily.
📄 Invoice Terms
Prepayment for port fees, Net 7-14 for agents, Net 30 for established partners. Credit lines essential for cash flow.
Daily payments, cash flow intensive. Peak season (Aug-Nov) requires extra working capital. Payment terms mismatch: pay agents before client pays.
📊 FX Risk Profile
HIGH: Multi-currency exposure (CNY, EUR, USD, AED). 3-8% margins mean 2% FX move eliminates profit. Must hedge or pass through.
Network of agents worldwide. Long-term relationships essential for reliability. Commission-based structures. Reciprocal arrangements common.
Common Documentation for Freight Forwarding
- Bill of Lading
- Commercial Invoice
- Customs Entry Documentation
- Delivery Order
- Agent Invoice with shipment reference
Popular India Supplier Types for Freight Forwarding
Common India Suppliers
- Textile mills (Tirupur, Ludhiana, Surat)
- Garment manufacturers (Bangalore, Delhi NCR)
- Leather goods (Kanpur, Chennai)
- IT/software development (Bangalore, Hyderabad)
Payment Tips for India
- Use UPI or IMPS to avoid 2-3 day SWIFT delays
- Coordinate with supplier's CA for GST invoice matching
- INR is volatile - lock rates when favorable
- Avoid Diwali/festival periods for urgent payments
Ready to Pay India Suppliers 86% Cheaper?
Join Freight Forwarding businesses saving £3,025 per £100k payment with t+0 (2.3s avg within unicorn network).
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