All terms
Service Types
Freight Broker
A freight broker is a licensed intermediary that arranges transportation between shippers and carriers without owning trucks, matching freight to capacity.
A freight broker connects shippers who need to move freight with carriers who have capacity, without operating trucks itself. Brokers are licensed and bonded through the FMCSA — a USDOT broker authority and a surety bond are required — and earn a margin between the rate a shipper pays and the rate paid to the carrier.
Brokers add value by aggregating carrier relationships, negotiating rates, managing paperwork, and handling exceptions, so a shipper reaches many carriers through a single relationship and workflow.
FreightCake provides broker-grade rate shopping, booking, and tracking across integrated carriers through one API and dashboard.
Explore the full freight glossary or browse the shipping FAQ.