It's a common misconception among importers and exporters, especially new ones, that freight forwarders and customs brokers are interchangeable terms. Unfortunately, that is untrue. Freight forwarders and customs brokers offer services crucial to global commerce and shipping. Both forwarders and brokers are frequently used in foreign transactions, and occasionally one business will perform both roles. Hire the services of the best Customs Broker NZ.

What is a freight broker?

The role of a freight broker is to serve as a mediator and facilitator. They may negotiate better rates for the shippers because they have connections to numerous carriers. Brokers have more negotiating power than sole proprietors with a small number of frequent customers since they have more clients and more shipment volume. Brokers can also give carriers a more consistent supply of loads than a single customer because they work for several customers. This makes it simpler for trucking companies to maintain complete and active fleets of trucks. They also avoid deadhead miles, thanks to it.

What does a freight broker do?

Freight consolidators are another name for freight forwarders. They assume physical custody of the goods and ship the freight on their initiative. Freight forwarders can export freight more broadly under their bills of lading than a freight broker can since they are licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for interstate and international commerce. Additionally, they package cargo, frequently grouping them with others headed in the same direction. They can negotiate better freight costs thanks to their strength and volume.

Knowing the Difference Between Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders

A customs broker is quite particular, in contrast to the more general word freight forwarder; among other criteria, U.S. customs brokers need to be licensed.

Not all customs brokers are freight forwarders, although many freight forwarders can also act as customs brokers (or have access to brokerage services). Customs brokers concentrate on the import portion of a global transaction. The customs broker is a foreign country discussion for exporters. Since exporters are shipping outside the United States, they do not require a customs broker.

A customs broker and the freight forwarder for an exporter can collaborate to solve problems with international cargo.

Examples of Freight Forwarder vs. Customs Broker

Think about the following instances from real life to illustrate the distinctions between a freight forwarder and a customs broker: The Air Freight Forwarders NZ are exceptionally good.

Example 1

A shipment of machinery is being sent to Toronto by a Minnesota exporter. Their freight forwarder offers an estimate for the shipment and enquires about the customer's customs broker in Canada. When they respond in the affirmative, the freight forwarder only handles shipping.

The exporter and importer must contractually agree on the conditions of the sale, which will typically include the specific Incoterms 2020 rule that specifies, among other things, who hires the customs broker.

The freight forwarder and customs broker are two distinct companies in this case. The exporter oversees their business relationship with the forwarder and their deal with the importer.

Example 2

In this instance, the exporter responds that the Canadian customer lacks a customs broker, prompting the freight forwarder to inquire whether the exporter would need the freight forwarder's assistance clearing customs in Canada. If the exporter responds positively, the transaction changes for the forwarder, who is now responsible for shipping to Canada and the arrangements for customs clearance.

This includes paying all customs, taxes, and other fees related to importing products into Canada from the United States. The freight forwarder can offer full service to their client by dealing with a Canadian customs broker because the client doesn't have to select a customs broker. In this situation, the equipment will be provided without the requirement for the exporter to engage in any additional import-related activities.