Acting as agent or as principal
The role on paper decides who answers for the cargo. A forwarder acting as agent books in its client's name, so the carrier's bill names the client and the carrier's terms apply. Acting as principal, the forwarder contracts in its own name and issues a house bill, taking on carrier liability toward its client. Many forwarders switch roles from one shipment to the next, so check which document was issued.
Tasks on a typical import file
On one import, the forwarder may handle most steps between the supplier's door and the importer's dock. It confirms the booking and documents at origin, watches the sailing and any transshipment, passes the arrival notice to the customs broker, arranges the delivery order and dray, and follows the empty return. On exports from the US, a forwarder that books space and processes documents for shippers needs an FMC ocean freight forwarder license.
Questions about references and updates
Before the first shipment, agree which references the forwarder will share and when: the MBL, the container numbers and the booking number are the ones a team can check against carrier data. Ask how ETA changes and exceptions will be reported, and who handles disputes over demurrage and detention. In CargoScope, a forwarding team can keep its customers' containers in one shared workspace and export the list as a CSV file.
Example
An importer's forwarder books space out of Ningbo, collects the supplier's documents, sends arrival details to the customs broker and schedules the dray from the port to the warehouse.
Track a container
Save the reference now and create your account; tracking starts once your 30-day trial is active.
Official sources
Questions
What does Freight Forwarder mean?
A freight forwarder arranges the movement of goods for shippers and consignees: booking carriers, preparing or checking documents, and coordinating truckers, customs brokers and warehouses. Some act only as agents; others also act as carrier by issuing their own house bills as NVOCCs.
What's the difference between a freight forwarder and a customs broker?
The forwarder arranges transportation, while the customs broker prepares and files customs entries. In the US, brokers are licensed by CBP, and many companies offer both services under separate licenses.
Does a freight forwarder own ships or trucks?
Usually not ships. Most forwarders buy capacity from carriers, though some run their own trucking, warehouses or freight stations.