What’s Commodity Brokerage?

Print anything with Printful



Freight brokering links businesses that need to ship goods with shippers who can provide services. Brokers evaluate cargo and identify shipping firms, often working with different transportation companies and complying with shipping regulations. They do not participate in preparing or transporting goods, but organize compensation based on a commission or flat rate. Compliance with regulations is necessary for a freight broker license and bond issuance.

Freight brokering is the process that acts as a link between a business that needs to ship goods from one place to another and a shipper that can provide those services. The goal of any type of commodity brokerage business is to meet the needs of both parties so that each gets the maximum benefit from the relationship, while allowing the broker to make a reasonable profit from brokering the deal. In many countries of the world, brokering goods requires at least a license and compliance with any shipping regulations that apply to both the country of origin of the shipment and the place where the goods are ultimately delivered.

It is important to note that freight brokering does not involve your actual participation in the preparation of the goods for shipment or the actual transportation of the goods to their intended destination. Instead, the broker will evaluate the type of cargo that needs to be shipped, consider the destination of that cargo, then identify shipping firms that can handle the shipment in a way that meets the recipient’s needs. This often involves considering the method or methods of shipping involved, as well as the costs associated with the master plan created to deliver the goods to the appropriate location.

In many situations, freight brokering involves setting up working arrangements with different types of transportation companies. For example, a broker may have access to road hauliers such as trucking companies, while also working with companies that move cargo by water and air. Typically, the broker ensures special prices that can be extended to potential customers, allowing the broker to be competitive in the market. At the same time, the broker also organizes a compensation strategy, with that compensation based on a commission schedule or some type of flat rate.

Most nations around the world require freight brokerage efforts to comply with the same regulations that shippers must observe. This means that a truck freight broker usually needs to qualify and obtain a freight broker license in order to conduct business within that country. Often, the broker must also be bondable, making it possible to issue a freight brokerage bond for every project that is arranged through the brokerage. This need for compliance helps protect the interests of all involved, leading to the opportunity for an ongoing business relationship after the initial shipment has been successfully executed.




Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN


Skip to content