Freight Forwarding Business

How to Get Carrier Contracts as a New Freight Forwarder

You can't quote freight without carrier rates. Here's how to get them — even when you have zero volume.

3–6 mo

Time to first direct contract

5–10

Carriers to approach initially

20–40%

Rate gap vs direct contracts

Three Paths to Carrier Rates

Every new forwarder starts with one of these — most use a combination.

How to Approach Carriers — Step by Step

The process that actually gets you a meeting and a rate sheet.

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What Carriers Actually Look For

Understanding the carrier's perspective helps you position yourself better.

Rate Negotiation Tips

How to get better rates without lying about your volume.

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Common Mistakes New Forwarders Make

Avoid these and you'll be ahead of most first-year forwarders.

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FAQ

Your next load, perfectly planned.

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