How do you become a freight broker?

Becoming a freight broker requires no special education, but many brokers do recommend working as either a shipper or carrier to gain technical experience and business contacts. To become a freight broker, submit the necessary legal documents, gather the required office equipment and locate clients.

1. Obtain the necessary legal documents

   To get a Broker's Authority, fill out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's form OP-1, and file it along with the required fee. Next, fill out form BMC-84 or -85, and file it with a local bank or bonding company to get a Surety Bond or Trust Fund. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also requires the submission of form BOC-3, called the Processing Agent. Finally, the broker needs to file a Unified Carrier Registration.

2. Purchase the required equipment

   The basic equipment for a freight broker is a computer with high-speed Internet access, a printer, a telephone and a fax machine. Specialized software is also necessary for accounting, customer information management and transportation.

3. Find shippers and carriers

   Locate shippers and carriers through trade publications, Internet sources, networking events and word-of-mouth. Determining a niche market, such as geographical area or types of cargo, is helpful in attracting new customers. It can take three to six months to build up a customer database to see profits.