Job Profile
The basic work of a freight broker is to get up every morning and contact his/her complete list of trucking companies and shippers and trace which one of them is in need of work or needs to ship products respectively. On completion of the information collecting process the freight broker or the freight forwarder will be having all the specific details required for transportation.
The next job is to contact the trucking companies by posting on the Internet boards or through phone calls finding out which of the trucks are available. On availability the freight broker has to convey all the details, do the paperwork and ensure that the goods are properly picked up.
Requirements
There are basically three immensely important legal documents that are necessary for an individual to work as a freight broker and those are as follows:
A Broker's Authority, which costs a fee of $300 and is given by the FMCSA. The prospective broker will need to fill out a form which is called Form OP-1. This will help the broker to file his or her authority as a legally acclaimed freight broker.
The license of a Processing Agent- One can get this authority by filling the BOC-3 form. The fee for this one is $50.
A Trust Fund or a Surety Bond is also necessary. The form for this one is BMC-84 or BMC-85. This can be accessible at any bonding company or bank. However the cost may differ on the basis of the individual's personal credit. The aspiring freight broker has to carry a $10,000 bond or trust. Nevertheless if his or her credit is superior, some companies may put a bond for them for a fee of $500 to $700 per year.
Academic/ Training
As aspiring freight broker can join any of the educational programs that teaches a freight broker's course, all the procedures along with the pros and cons. Individuals can get this training both at particular institutes and online.
Knowledge of cold calling and networking in order to set up a list of shippers and truckers will be ensured in the training.
Skills
A superior understanding of the various transportation systems, mortgage marketing and logistics can help an individual become a first rate freight broker. Some of the other handy skills that are needed are customer service aptitude, knowledge of computers and accounting skills.
Prior Experience
Often freight brokers or freight forwarders start their careers as freight agents. This gives them the experience of working as freight brokers in particular territories of the industry. Such an experience gives credibility while the broker tries to establish his/her own brokerage.
Salaries
The earning of a freight broker generally depends on the particular individual's capacities and abilities of determining success. On the whole, a full time freight broker can make $40,000 to well over $200,000 per annum.
Conclusion
Before you start putting in your efforts or get any of the legal parameters done, you should first sit and ask yourself whether you seriously want to become a freight broker or not? Because without ample experience and interest, things may get a little tough for you in the so it is best to take a professional course first.
