Understanding Freight Forwarding
This page provides information about freight forwarding services, explaining what freight forwarding is, its benefits, and how it differs from other shipping options.
Freight Forwarding
As a shipper, have you ever wondered about the difference between freight brokers and freight carriers? Or have you believed the two terms to be synonymous, with both words being used interchangeably? Crazy enough, these terms do NOT mean the same thing. While freight forwarding and brokering services can seem very similar, they represent different services.
Let’s begin by clarifying what a freight broker is and is not. A freight broker connects carriers and shippers. They do not claim any responsibility for the freight and do not possess the shipment. Freight Brokers are not liable for any resulting damages or claims. When working with a freight broker, the shipper is responsible for purchasing their insurance for the shipment. Read on to find out how these services differ and how each one can potentially meet your needs.
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Freight Forwarders VS Freight Brokers
Freight Forwarders are intermediaries between carriers and shippers; they are the middleman. Freight Forwarders specialize in arranging cargo on behalf of shippers, offering various transportation and supply chain services.
These services include:
- Ocean/air freight transport
- International/domestic shipments
- Warehousing/storage
- Consolidation/deconsolidation
- Cargo insurance
- Customs compliance
In contrast to freight brokers, freight forwarders will store freight in warehouses for customers, ship under their bill of lading, and are responsible for the insurance of shipments.
Freight Forwarders also are not responsible for actually moving the cargo. Aside from these critical differences, freight forwarders provide the same services freight brokers offer. Freight forwarders utilize established relationships to negotiate with carriers. This allows forwarders to deliver the most cost-effective, time-efficient, reliable carrier option for the lowest cost. In a nutshell, freight forwarders streamline logistics by arranging pickups, drop-offs, rerouting, storage, documents, insurance, and physical responsibility. Their services, utilized by many, are quintessential to the supply chain industry.
While Freight Forwarding can be a valuable and convenient service, as with any option, it has pros and cons.
Pros:
- Lowering prices by consolidating cargo,
- Specializing in a specific market,
- Service
- Transportation mode
- Allowing for greater control over the shipment
- Handling documentation/taxes/tariffs
- Specific trade-related services.
Cons:
- Freight forwarders are not operating the transport of your cargo, so as far as the occurrence of damages, that is out of their control.
- Their role during the transit is hands-off, despite being held responsible for the freight.
- Since the Freight Forwarders usually are not involved in the physical transit, damages can still occur.
- When shipping with a Freight Forwarder, it is not uncommon for them to markup services leaving you none the wiser.
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LTL shipping involves combining multiple small shipments from different customers onto one truck, allowing each customer to share the shipment cost. Trust the experts at FreightCenter to give you the best prices and the most comprehensive options for all your LTL freight shipping needs.
Truckload shipping, also known as full truckload (FTL), is a transportation option for freight that requires the entire trucks trailer space. Unlike LTL shipping, FTL shipping is reserved for larger commodities that exceed LTL weight and size limits, typically weighing more than 20,000 pounds or having dimensions that exceed 12 feet in length, 8 feet in width, and 8 feet in height. We deliver optimized solutions for full or partial truckloads and competitive dry van, flatbed, and refrigerated freight pricing. We can cover your full truckload shipping needs.
Nationwide Expedited Trucking services move your freight securely and rapidly. Your freight requires fast delivery; our freight shipping experts can get your shipment fast, whether in one large box or a full truckload. Expedited shipping is a transportation option that prioritizes the speed of delivery for freight that needs to be shipped quickly. This can be especially important for urgent situations, such as engine repairs or replacements for critical machinery.
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History Of Freight Forwarding
One of the earliest freight forwarders was Thomas Meadows and Company Limited of London, England, established in 1835. According to “Understanding the Freight Business,” written and published by the executive staff of Thomas Meadows and Company in 1972, the advent of reliable rail transport and steamships created a demand for the fledgling freight forwarding industry. Trade developed between Europe and North America, creating additional demand. The first international freight forwarding was done by innkeepers in London who held and re-forwarded the personal effects of their hotel guests.
The original function of freight forwarding was to arrange for carriage by contracting with various carriers. Freight Forwarding responsibilities included advice on documentation and customs requirements in the country of destination. His correspondent agent overseas looked after his customers’ goods and kept him informed about matters affecting the movement of goods.
In modern freight forwarding, the forwarder accepts the same responsibilities. It operates as a domestic carrier with a corresponding overseas agent or branch office. In a single transaction, the forwarder may act as a carrier (principal), agent for his customer, or both.
