Home-based freight agent

Small manufacturers, importers, online sellers and wholesalers who ship regularly but have no logistics staff.

A share of the margin or a commission on each shipment you bring in, set by your agreement with the partner forwarder. Income grows as repeat customers build up.

• Organized, detail-focused paperwork
• Sales and relationship building
• Comfortable learning shipping terms and routes

• Read the agent agreement carefully: who owns the customer relationship, how commission is paid and whether a non-compete applies
• Check whether you need a home-based business licence from your municipality
• Check whether your partner's insurance covers you, and whether you need your own commercial general liability or errors and omissions cover
• Customs entries must be filed by a CBSA-licensed customs broker, so confirm who handles this
• Late-paying customers can leave you waiting on commission, so check payment terms

Estimates suggest startup costs typically run around $500 to $3,000, depending on your home office setup and any insurance you take out. The partner forwarder usually handles carrier contracts, customs and billing systems.

Revenue estimates typically run around $1,000 to $5,000 a month, depending on how many shippers you win and how commission is paid, for roughly 15 hours a week or more. Late-paying customers can delay commission, so check payment terms.

Read the agent agreement for who owns the customer relationship, how commission is paid and any non-compete. Also check for a home-based business licence, whether insurance covers you, and who handles customs entries, which must be filed by a CBSA-licensed customs broker.