A Freight Broker can be an individual or company that matches shippers with transportation services in order to transport goods. Freight Brokers are responsible for matching authorized and reliable transportation carriers to the shippers and coordinate all of the shipping needs for many companies. Freight Brokers must be licensed from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), www. fmcsa.dot.gov.
Freight brokers are also expected to carry insurance to protect both their business clients and their customers from loss. In many areas, freight brokers are required to carry surety bonds as well.
Freight brokers use their knowledge of the shipping industry and technological resources to help shippers and carriers accomplish their goals. Many companies find the services provided by freight brokers indispensable. In fact, some companies hire brokers to coordinate all of their shipping needs.
Many freight brokerage companies work out of a central office, with larger offices in bigger cities that are important shipping and receiving hubs. In smaller cities, a freight broker can work out of a home office. In larger cities, there may be a large office where multiple agents work. All that is need to run a successful freight brokerage business is list of truckers or trucking companies, Internet access and a phone. A freight broker will spend all day on the phone or online trying to find their clients the perfect carrier for their merchandise. The client can rest easy knowing that the freight broker is handling all aspects of the shipping process to ensure their product gets to the desired location as quickly as possible.
