The freight brokerage industry is essential for a smooth cargo flow. Every exporter, importer, and even consumer who orders products from abroad counts on freight brokerage companies to ship their products safely and in a timely manner. What does a freight broker do exactly?
Freight brokerage and freight broker
A freight broker (organization or person) offers freight brokerage services. It is an intermediary between the shipper and the carrier. The broker offers a wide range of services, including freight shipping optimization, to facilitate the transportation of goods.
What does a freight broker do?
Customize shipping solutions
Freight forwarding service is a customized experience. They provide flexible solutions to meet the unique needs and requirements of each client, including freight forwarding, air freight, train freight, ocean freight, truckload brokerage, and LTL (Less than Truckload) services.
Select and vet carriers
Freight brokers use their extensive network of carriers to select the most suitable transportation solution for each shipment, taking into consideration factors such as:
- equipment availability
- capacity
- transit time
- cost.
Negotiate shipping rates
Freight brokers negotiate competitive rates on behalf of their clients. Freight rate negotiation is one of their basic skills.
Book shipment
Freight brokers ensure timely and efficient transportation by handling the booking process and arranging pickup and delivery schedules with the selected carriers.
Coordinate logistics
Shipping coordination includes managing paperwork and documentation (necessary permits, customs clearances, etc.) and overseeing the logistical intricacies of each shipment.
Track the cargo in real-time
Many freight brokers offer real-time tracking capabilities. Therefore, their clients can monitor the status and location of their shipments throughout the transit process and act swiftly if there are any potential issues or delays.
Manage shipping risk
Shippers face many types of risks related to shipping, such as:
- delays
- damages
- regulatory compliance issues.
Freight brokers help mitigate those risks. If you need any assistance, they can help you throughout the shipping process.
Why do I need a freight broker?
By working with a freight broker, you can:
- reduce costs
- save time and allocate it for more important tasks
- request assistance if there are any issues
- lower shipping risks.
Are freight brokers and third-party logistics companies the same?
While third-party logistics (3PL) providers and freight brokers both play essential roles in the transportation and logistics industry, there are some differences between the two.
Freight brokers connect carriers and shippers; once it is done, they oversee the movement of freight. They often handle one-off or occasional shipments for their clients.
Third-party logistics (3PL) providers offer warehousing, inventory management, distribution, order fulfillment, and other value-added services in addition to arranging transportation. They often engage in long-term partnerships with their clients. In comparison to cargo brokerage providers, 3PL companies focus on optimizing the entire supply chain.
Where can I find reliable freight brokers?
Reliability and integrity are the most essential qualities of freight brokers, but not every freight brokerage firm is consistently high quality. To find the best shipping solutions for your needs, request free quotes from reliable freight forwarders on ShipHub. Save your time and money by working with a trustworthy freight broker!
