Independent Small-Business Freight Forwarder

Small importers, exporters, e-commerce brands, craft manufacturers and distributors that need help moving goods domestically or internationally.

You charge customers a rate that includes carrier costs plus your margin, and may add fees for documentation, handling and insurance. Repeat clients with regular shipments are the core of the business.

• Knowledge of shipping, customs and documentation
• Sales and negotiating with carriers
• Strong organization and follow-up
• Comfortable with logistics software

• Ocean freight forwarding generally needs Federal Maritime Commission licensing and a surety bond, and trucking brokerage needs FMCSA authority and a bond, so check what applies to you
• Customs brokerage is separately licensed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, so check whether to partner with a licensed broker instead
• Check state and city business license and sales tax rules
• Cash flow risk: you may pay carriers before customers pay you
• Cargo loss, delays and customs errors can be costly, so check insurance and contract terms carefully

Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your office setup, software and any licensing, bond or insurance you need. Check which licenses apply to the freight you plan to handle before budgeting.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your client base and the shipments you handle. Cash flow can be tight because you may pay carriers before customers pay you, so these are estimates, not profit.

Ocean forwarding generally needs Federal Maritime Commission licensing and a surety bond, and trucking brokerage needs FMCSA authority and a bond. Customs brokerage is separately licensed by CBP, so check whether to partner with a licensed broker. Also check state and city rules.