International Freight Forwarding vs Freight Brokers
Many confuse freight brokers and international freight forwarders.
Texas International Freight is a Texas-based international freight forwarding company licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission. We are not freight brokers, and there is a clear difference between the two.
What Is a Freight Broker?
A freight broker is an intermediary that matches a customer’s freight needs with freight services. Their main characteristics include:
- Primarily operate within the U.S.
- Focus mainly on truck freight
- Do not manage international shipments or multiple transport modes
Do Freight Brokers Add Costs?
Freight brokers make money as intermediaries. Ideally, they leverage their market knowledge to provide:
- Competitive pricing
- Carrier availability not easily accessible to end customers
- Simplified coordination within the domestic U.S. market
What Is an International Freight Forwarder?
An international freight forwarder manages the complete shipping process across borders and modes of transport. This involves:
- Coordinating ocean freight such as breakbulk cargo, container shipping, and vessel charters
- Arranging air freight and air charters
- Managing heavy haul trucking and inland logistics
- Handling customs paperwork with licensed customs brokers
Forwarders like Texas International Freight handle heavy and oversized equipment including:
- Excavators
- Agricultural machinery
- Oil rigs and drilling equipment (see example for Congo)
- Mining and construction equipment
- Energy and power generation machinery
What Makes a Good International Freight Forwarder?
Because international shipping involves many moving parts, interruptions sometimes occur.
A reliable freight forwarder takes proactive measures to protect your cargo and ensure smooth coordination between carriers, customs, and project timelines. A dependable partner:
- Prepares contingency plans for delays
- Maintains strong relationships with carriers and warehouses
- Quickly resolves service interruptions before they impact delivery
A poor forwarder, on the other hand, will show repeated breakdowns, excuses, and little added value.
To understand the qualities that separate professionals from freight brokers in disguise, read more about the
responsibility of a freight forwarder and how it impacts the success of your shipments.
eated breakdowns, excuses, and little added value. At that point, they are no better than freight brokers in disguise.
How to Find a Good Freight Forwarder
Consider the following tips when selecting your logistics partner:
- Be cautious of companies promising “zero delays”
- Look for proven project logistics experience
- Check if they have expertise in your target country (e.g. shipping to Israel, shipping to Sweden, shipping to Libya)
- Review case studies of complex heavy equipment moves
Why Texas International Freight?
We specialize in managing international shipments for industries such as construction, oil & gas, mining, and energy. Whether you need export packing, cargo insurance, or complex multi-country shipping, our team delivers reliable solutions from Houston to the world.
Next Steps
Looking for a trusted partner for your international shipments?
Contact us today to request a freight quote and let us help move your cargo safely and on time.
