What Exactly Is A Freight Broker?

8 May 2023
 Categories: , Blog


It is likely that you have never heard of a freight broker, and that's fair. The freight brokerage industry is fairly unknown. Most people assume that products magically arrive at their local store without pausing to think about the complicated process that happens behind the scenes to ensure everything arrives on time and safely. Freight brokerage is a lucrative business with significant opportunities to grow. Here's what you need to know about a career as a freight broker and what freight broker training entails.

What Is a Freight Broker? 

Freight brokering is part of logistics. Freight brokers are intermediaries between shippers and carriers, including trucks, planes, and trains. They move goods from point A to point B, both across the country and around the world.

What Does a Freight Broker Do?

Freight brokers get involved in the transportation process when a shipper, usually the maker of the product needing to be shipped, seeks a carrier service to transport their product to a recipient, which could be a retailer, distributor, or end user. Their job is to get the product from the shipper to the recipient, which is more difficult than it sounds.

Freight brokers need to negotiate the best rates, track the shipment throughout its journey, and ensure that everything arrives at its final destination and through customs in one piece. They need to be aware of the shipping requirements in multiple countries and ports of entry.

Freight brokerage requires customer service, negotiation, planning, and problem-solving skills. As a result, this job provides a sense of accomplishment and keeps you on your toes all day. However, it's not for the faint of heart.

What Are the Benefits of Freight Broker Training?

For those interested in learning the freight broker business, there are a number of benefits associated with taking the right training. These include:

  • Developing an understanding of the freight industry and its complexities.
  • Learning how to negotiate with carriers and shippers to get the best deal.
  • Gaining an understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements associated with freight movement.
  • Developing a network of contacts in the freight industry which can be beneficial when looking for new business.
  • Developing problem-solving and customer service skills.
  • Understanding how to calculate freight rates and properly invoice customers.

Overall, becoming a freight broker is a great opportunity for those looking to move into the exciting world of logistics. With the right freight broker training, you can turn your knowledge and skills into a profitable career.


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