Freight forwarders are vital players in global supply chains. They excel at coordinating international shipments — navigating customs, documentation, and long-haul modes like ocean, air, and rail. But when it comes to domestic over-the-road (OTR) trucking, particularly full truckload (FTL) or less-than-truckload (LTL), many freight forwarders encounter a critical gap.
That’s where co-brokerage comes in.
At Freight SideKick, we routinely work with freight forwarders who need help sourcing capacity and managing OTR freight within the U.S. In this article, we explain how co-brokerage helps freight forwarders bridge the OTR gap — and do so in a legal, transparent, and customer-first way.
Why Freight Forwarders Need OTR Support
Most freight forwarders specialize in:
- International shipping (import/export)
- Customs clearance
- Ocean and air freight booking
- Warehousing and container drayage
However, many don’t have:
- A strong carrier base for domestic trucking
- Deep familiarity with U.S. trucking lanes, rates, and capacity sourcing tools
This creates a service gap when customers ask for:
- Door-to-door service that includes domestic pickup or delivery
- Complex intermodal freight moves involving local drayage, LTL, or long-haul OTR legs
- Just-in-time deliveries that require truckload expertise
What Is Co-Brokerage, and How Does It Help?
Co-brokerage is a legal arrangement between two FMCSA-authorized freight brokers to jointly manage a shipment. The key is transparency:
- The freight forwarder maintains the relationship with the customer.
- The co-broker brings the carrier relationships, tech tools, and operational capacity.
This means the forwarder can still own the customer experience without needing to take on the risk or operational burden of domestic trucking. It’s a win-win.
Why It’s Not Double Brokering
There’s understandable confusion between co-brokerage and double brokering, especially when freight changes hands. But here’s the difference:
| Practice | Legal? | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Co-Brokerage | ✅ Yes | Transparent agreement between two brokers |
| Double Brokering | ❌ No | A carrier or unauthorized party re-brokers a load without disclosure |
As long as all parties (especially the shipper and carrier) know who’s involved and who’s hauling the freight, co-brokerage is a legal and valuable tool for solving capacity challenges.
When Should Freight Forwarders Use a Co-Broker?
- Domestic Pickup & Delivery: When international freight needs domestic legs covered
- LTL Consolidation or Deconsolidation: Forwarders that don’t specialize in LTL can rely on brokers that do
- Surge Volume: Project-based imports may overwhelm your carrier network
- Specialized Freight: Reefer, hazmat, or over-dimensional loads require expert partners
Why Freight Forwarders Choose Freight SideKick
At Freight SideKick, we:
- Handle LTL, FTL, and specialized freight across North America
- Provide full transparency and compliance through co-brokerage agreements
- Use digital quoting and booking tools to simplify domestic legs
- Act as a white-label capacity partner, letting forwarders own the customer relationship
Whether you’re moving container freight inland, building domestic delivery programs, or looking for a reliable partner during peak season — we help forwarders scale without compromise.
Let’s Bridge the Gap Together
If you're a freight forwarder looking to streamline or expand your OTR trucking capabilities, co-brokerage might be the missing piece.
Visit our Co-Brokerage Page to request a co-brokerage agreement and learn how Freight SideKick can help you deliver more — without taking on more risk.
