Lara GuevaraSupply Chain expert (Product and Service)

The Freight Forwarder Red Flag Costing You 7+ Days (Most Brands Don’t Know This)

18 Oct 2025

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Lara Guevara warns founders that relying on a freight forwarder’s ETD alone is a red flag because ETD can hide route differences that add many days. She gives an anecdote: two vessels sailed same day from the same port but one arrived in 13 days and the other in 20 due to stopovers, nearly derailing a BFCM launch. Her actionable advice: request the vessel schedule from your forwarder and replace them if they dodge the request.

If your freight forwarder won't show you this one thing, it's a massive red flag. One brand I worked with trusted the forwarders etd, no questions asked. Two vessels left the same day from the same port. One arrived in LA in 13 days, the other took 20 days because of stopovers. And guess which one their shipment was on the slowboat. And that seven day difference almost cost their BFCM launch. Here's the secret most founders Ms. The ETD doesn't tell you the whole story. What matters is the vessel schedule. Same day sailings can land a week apart, depending on routes and alliances. If your forwarder won't show you the vessel schedule, they're keeping you in the dark. So next time you book a freight, ask them, can you send me the vessel schedule? And if they dodge or get defensive, that's your sign. Find another forwarder before it costs you a launch.