Learn about the freight broker’s role in the shipping industry
Freight brokerage is a growing, service-based industry. As a freight agent or broker, you connect shippers and manufacturers with transportation companies and manage those shipments. Entrepreneur magazine has rated the freight brokerage business as one of the top home-based businesses to own, and a Wall Street Journal article cited freight brokering and logistics as the largest growing sector of the transportation industry.
What is a freight broker?
A freight broker arranges and makes provision for the transportation of shipments, but he or she doesn’t actually provide the transportation. They help the shipper and the motor carrier company, negotiate on both sides, and earn a fee for their work. Freight brokers use their expertise to set up the shipment, negotiate the terms of the transaction, and manage the shipment from its origin to its destination.
What does a freight broker do?
The freight broker works within the company to manage the day-to-day tasks required to move goods from place to place. They hire carriers and monitor financial aspects such as invoicing, paying agents, and monitoring credit. The government may require additional fees and paperwork for a brokerage license, but not for becoming a freight agent.
How do you get your freight broker license?
First, it is recommended that you enroll in a freight broker course to fully prepare for the position. Then there are very few steps required to get your freight broker license. You will need to establish a business structure, submit an application for motor carrier and broker authority (OP-1 Form), obtain a surety bond, select a process agent, and finally register the brokerage. A license is granted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, FMCSA. You will fill out an application and pay a one-time fee. Once your application is approved, there is a 10-day waiting period before you are granted full license.
Online freight broker training
Freight broker training will help you learn the skills you need to be a successful Freight Broker/Agent. From licensing and operations to sales and marketing, you’ll learn the basics of how to run a domestic freight brokerage or agency in the United States.
Savannah Technical College offers an online freight broker course. Written by freight brokerage specialists, this freight broker course will provide you with the knowledge and resources needed to break into the shipping industry. From transportation law, contracts, and insurance, to setting up and running your own business, this is the best online freight broker training available.
Get started on your career as a freight broker today
About Savannah Technical College Continuing Education
STC’s Professional Continuing Education Department provides short-term classes in both traditional and online classroom settings. Courses cover a variety of skills and workforce development options that match both personal and professional development needs. For more details about other classes visit: http://www.savannahtech.edu/learn-now
Published June 16th, 2020
A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Savannah Technical College (Savannah Tech) is the premier provider of career-ready technical education in Coastal Georgia, offering a comprehensive range of nearly 150 market-driven programs, preparing students for high-demand careers including Aviation Technology, Cybersecurity, Health Sciences, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Automation & Robotics, Information Technology, Culinary Arts, Public Services and more. With campuses in Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, Savannah Tech serves more than 13,000 credit and non-credit students with a variety of pathways to success, including dual enrollment programs for high school students and specialized support services for military veterans and their families. Beyond academics, Savannah Tech is an economic and community development partner, collaborating with industry leaders to provide customized training programs, assessment services, and continuing education opportunities. For more information, visit www.savannahtech.edu.
Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
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