A freight broker and a freight forwarder are basically the same thing. Each acts as a liaison between an individual seeking shipping service and an authorized carrier. A freight broker never actually touches the freight, instead they work to determine the needs of a shipper and match those needs with the best suited carrier. Some freight brokers specialize in shipping specific freight or shipping within a specific region. At cheapshipping.com, we specialize in LTL freight but are also able to ship small package and international air freight.
Here’s how a freight broker works:
When freight brokers are contacted by the shipper’s customer-
The flow of information and goods when a freight broker is contacted by a shipper's customer.
Sometimes freight brokers are contacted by the shipper-
This is the flow of information and goods when a freight broker is contacted by a shipper.
This is beneficial to the shipper because brokers establish relationships with carriers to negotiate discounts, which are passed along to the shipper. A freight broker also communicates with the carrier to ensure pick-up and delivery run smoothly. This saves a shipper time and effort. Freight brokers are useful for all types of shippers:
- If you’re shipping rarely- a freight broker can offer discounts and knowledge that an inexperienced shipper may not otherwise have access to.
- If you ship regularly- a freight broker can essentially become your shipping department, saving you time and money.
Tags: LTL freight, ltl freight broker, ltl freight forwarding