Freight Forwarder

A freight forwarder, forwarder, or forwarding agent, is a person or company that organizes shipments for individuals or corporations to get large orders from the manufacturer or producer to market or final point of distribution. Forwarders contract with a carrier to facilitate the movement of goods. A forwarder is not typically a carrier but is an expert in supply chain management. A forwarder contracts with asset-based carriers to move cargo ranging from raw agricultural products to manufactured goods. Freight can be booked on a variety of carrier types, including ships, airplanes, trucks, and railroads. It is not unusual for a shipment to move along its route on multiple carrier types. International freight forwarders typically arrange cargo movement to an international destination. International freight forwarders have additional expertise in preparing and processing documentation and performing related activities pertaining to international shipments.

Some of the typical information reviewed by a freight forwarder is the commercial invoice, shipper's export declaration, bill of lading, and other documents required by the carrier or country of export, import, or transshipment. Much of this information is now processed in a paperless environment.

The FIATA short-hand description of the freight forwarder as the 'Architect of Transport' illustrates the commercial position of the forwarder relative to his client. In Europe, there are forwarders that specialize in 'niche' areas such as rail-freight, and collection and deliveries around a large port.

In some countries, a forwarder may deal only with domestic traffic and never handle international traffic.