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 shipping involves many moving parts, interruptions sometimes occur. A reliable freight forwarder:
- Prepares contingency plans for delays
- Has strong relationships with carriers and warehouses
- Quickly resolves service interruptions
A poor forwarder, on the other hand, will have repeated 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.
