Freight Forwarders
A freight forwarder is an individual or company that dispatches shipment via asset based carriers and books or otherwise arrange space for those shipments. Common carrier types could include waterborne vessels, airplanes, trucks or railroads. Freight forwarders typically arrange cargo movement to an international destination. Also referred to as international freight forwarders, they have the expertise that allows them to prepare and process the documentation and perform related activities pertaining to international shipment. Some of the typical information reviewed by a freight forwarder is the commercial invoice, shipper’s export declaration, bill of lading and other documents required by the carrier or country of export, import or transshipment. Much of this information is now processed in a paperless environment. The Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association is a trade association representing Customs brokers and freight forwarders that conduct business in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.