Category: Parties & roles
Freight Forwarder
Also known as: Forwarder
Definition
An intermediary that arranges and coordinates the transport of goods on behalf of shippers and consignees.
A freight forwarder organizes the end-to-end movement of cargo — booking carriers across ocean, air, and road, preparing documentation, arranging customs and insurance, and consolidating shipments — without necessarily owning the transport assets.
The forwarder is the customer’s single point of accountability across a multi-leg, multi-carrier journey, adding value through routing expertise, buying power, and problem-solving. When it issues its own transport documents as an NVOCC, it takes on carrier-like responsibility.
Built for freight forwarders
Turn these terms into a working pricing engine.
Freightools structures your tariffs, quotes on margin in seconds, and gives your customers self-service quoting. Book a demo to see it on your lanes.