How to Become an Agent for Freight Companies

A freight agent for freight companies is an expert at organizing the process of getting goods onto trucks. This is helpful for both parties, because the goods producers want their items shipped and the trucking companies want their trucks going out as full as possible.

• In this industry, experience is the key. You need to work within the industry for at least a couple of years to understand the way the system works, and to network with trucking and cargo companies so you can see how each does business and what their respective needs are.


• As you start moving towards working for yourself, build a list of contacts and understand what each of them can offer another business. Understand how quickly trucking companies can ship items and what their limitations may be. Keep in contact with these companies as their business models can change over time.


• Develop a record of success with getting the job done, particularly in a specific industry. It is essential that you become the "go-to guy" within a certain element of the shipping industry or specific area.


• Keep in daily contact with the truckers and the cargo shippers. It is important to know their needs on a daily basis because things in the industry happen quickly and what they needed yesterday is not important. When you know that a shipping company needs x-number of goods shipped in two days, find a trucking company that can accommodate those needs quickly.


• Develop a reasonable commission for your work and get down the specifics concerning the shipping orders. Keep daily tabs on the progress of the cargo to be shipped and the availability of the trucking space. Relationships with those trucking companies are also highly important and developing a broker agreement with those companies detailing your commission rate is essential to your success.


• Prepare a contract for the specific shipped goods and send it over to the trucking company via fax. Once they execute the agreement you have a binding contract.


• Keep in contact with the goods shipping company to let them know that shipment has been arranged, but also make sure that they have everything ready for shipment at the agreed-to time. Slip-ups and delays can be avoided and can potentially damage your reputation in an industry where reputation and results are everything.


• Collect the money from the cargo company and make sure that the trucking company is paid in a timely manner. Trucking companies who know they can count on you for finding goods to ship and timely payment will continue to do business with you in the future.