Freight Forwarder
An agent or company that arranges the transportation of goods on behalf of shippers, coordinating carriers, documentation, and customs clearance.
Full Definition
A freight forwarder acts as an intermediary between the shipper and various transportation services, including ocean carriers, air carriers, and trucking companies. They typically handle documentation such as bills of lading, certificates of origin, and customs declarations. Unlike a carrier, a freight forwarder does not physically transport goods but assumes responsibility for coordinating the entire shipping process. Editors should note that 'freight forwarder' is two words with no hyphen. It should be distinguished from a customs broker (focused solely on customs compliance) and a 3PL (which may also include warehousing and fulfilment).
Usage
Usage note: Two words, no hyphen. Not synonymous with 'carrier' (which physically moves goods) or 'customs broker' (which handles only customs formalities).
In Context
- "The freight forwarder consolidated multiple small shipments into a single container to reduce costs." — International shipping coordination
- "A freight forwarder arranges transport but is not itself a carrier; the distinction is important in liability clauses." — Logistics contract review