GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Freight brokerage
A shipper needs a truck at short notice for a load no existing carrier contract covers – that is when a freight broker steps in.
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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freight_broker
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A shipper needs a truck at short notice for a load no existing carrier contract covers – that is when a freight broker steps in. Freight brokerage is the commercial activity of matching shippers with carriers without taking physical custody of the goods or assuming carrier liability toward the consignee. The broker secures capacity and negotiates rates on the client's behalf, earning a commission on the freight charge. Unlike a freight forwarder, a broker does not issue a bill of lading in its own name and is not a party to the contract of carriage. The model is most prevalent in road haulage and tramp shipping, where fragmented capacity and volatile demand make rapid, market-driven matching particularly valuable.
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