A licensed intermediary that connects shippers with trucking carriers to move freight.
A freight broker is a licensed intermediary (licensed by the FMCSA) that connects shippers who need to move freight with trucking companies that have available capacity. Brokers don't own trucks — they earn a margin by matching capacity to load and managing the transaction between shipper and carrier.
Freight brokers provide value by maintaining relationships with thousands of carriers, providing market rate transparency, handling carrier vetting and insurance verification, and managing the paperwork (bill of lading, proof of delivery). For shippers without high enough volume to negotiate direct carrier contracts, a broker is often the most practical solution.
For brands working with 3PLs, freight brokers are most relevant for inbound freight (getting inventory from manufacturer to 3PL) and one-off large outbound moves. Many 3PLs have in-house freight brokerage services or preferred broker partners — leveraging their relationships often yields better rates than a brand going direct.
For sporadic or variable freight, a broker almost always wins — the spot market access, carrier diversity, and admin savings outweigh the broker margin. For high-volume, consistent lanes, direct carrier contracts become worth pursuing (typically above $500K/year in freight spend per lane).
Brokers earn the spread between what they charge the shipper and what they pay the carrier — typically 10-20% margin. This is disclosed in some states but not all. Double-brokering (re-brokering to another broker without the shipper's knowledge) is illegal and a red flag to watch for.
Our AI matches you with warehouses that meet your exact requirements — in 60 seconds. Free for shippers.
Find My 3PL — Free →