Glossary
What is a freight forwarder?
A freight forwarder is a company that arranges the movement of goods for an importer or exporter — booking carriage, consolidating cargo, preparing documents and often handling customs — without owning the ships, aircraft or vehicles that carry the load. |
What does a freight forwarder do?
- Negotiates rates and books space with carriers across sea, air, road and rail
- Consolidates smaller consignments into full containers to cut unit cost
- Issues house transport documents such as a house bill of lading or house air waybill
- Arranges insurance, warehousing, inland haulage and final delivery
- Often files customs declarations as the trader’s appointed representative
Freight forwarder or customs broker?
The forwarder arranges the transport; the broker files the declaration. Most UK forwarders do both, but they are distinct legal roles — the broker acts as declarant or representative and carries responsibility for the accuracy of what is declared.
Check how they represent you
Under direct representation the forwarder acts in your name and the customs debt stays with you. Under indirect representation they become jointly liable. UK forwarders also typically contract under BIFA standard trading conditions, which cap their liability — worth reading before the first load moves.
iCustoms gives forwarders one platform to file, track and audit every client declaration. |
