What is a Freight Broker?
A freight broker connects shippers that need to move freight with carriers that have the trucks and capacity to haul it. The broker coordinates the move, manages communication, and makes sure the shipment gets from pickup to delivery the way it was promised. The short version: a freight broker is a licensed transportation intermediary that arranges freight moves between shippers and carriers without taking possession of the freight. That definition is accurate, but it undersells what a good broker actually does. In practice, brokers vet the carriers they work with, hold federal operating authority, carry a surety bond, manage exceptions when things go sideways, and serve as a single point of contact across the entire shipment lifecycle. This guide covers all of it.
