| The job of a freight broker is to work as a liaison | | | | negotiates an acceptable freight rate that both sides |
| between a company that requires shipping services | | | | agree too. A lot of companies utilize freight brokers |
| and a motor carrier that is authorized. Although a | | | | to arrange the shipment of promotional items or sale |
| broker plays a very important part in the shipment of | | | | items that need to be shipped out right away. Often |
| cargo, the broker does not act as a shipper nor a | | | | times when a store goes out of business, they also |
| carrier. A broker will work to determine what a | | | | use a freight broker to arrange the shipping needs to |
| shipper needs and then will connect the shipper to a | | | | get the various store items to the proper locations. |
| carrier that is will transport the cargo at a reasonable | | | | Freight brokers are often the first people companies |
| freight rate. The freight brokerage firm will then | | | | call when they are in a bend to get something |
| earns a commission for that transaction. | | | | shipped. |
| To work in the brokering field, an individual has to | | | | The job can be very exciting, but also very |
| obtain a license from the FMCSA (Federal Motor | | | | demanding. Depending on the number of clients that |
| Carrier Safety Administration). An insurance policy is | | | | a freight broker has, it can be a very fast paced |
| also needed to be able to work as a broker. In some | | | | work environment. To help with daily tasks and to |
| areas, they may also be required to hold surety | | | | speed up the process of matching up shippers to |
| bonds along with an insurance policy. These measures | | | | carriers, they will often use one of many brokering |
| help protect their clients from any loss that might | | | | software solutions. Freight broker software is a |
| occur. | | | | management system that simplifies the freight |
| Shippers and motor carriers both find the services of | | | | broker work. If you are debating becoming a broker, |
| a freight broker very valuable. Sometimes a shipper | | | | you have two options. You can open your own |
| may have difficulty finding a carrier to transport a | | | | business as a broker, or once you have a the license, |
| small or even a large load to another location. The | | | | you can seek employment at an established |
| brokers help shipping companies resolve that issue by | | | | company. Starting your own freight broker business |
| finding them a carrier that will transport their cargo, | | | | has only one temporary problem. Unless you already |
| no matter how small it may be. Motor carriers turn to | | | | have connections, it may take time to build a client |
| brokers when they want to either fill an entire trailer, | | | | list. It won't take long before you are a trusted, well |
| or fill in an empty void so that they have a full trailer. | | | | respected freight broker in the shipping and carrier |
| The broker then finds truck freight that will fill that | | | | community. |
| trailer from a shipper that needs goods shipped and | | | | |