The right freight forwarder saves you money, time and stress; the wrong one costs you all three. Before you hand over a shipment, ask these seven questions.
1. Are you licensed?
Look for FMC OTI licensing (ocean), TSA-certified IAC status (air) and FMCSA authority (trucking). Licensing means accountability and regulation.
2. Do you run your own operations?
A forwarder with real warehouses and a customs desk can solve problems directly — not just pass your load to the next broker.
3. What’s your coverage?
Make sure they cover your lanes end to end — origin, destination and everything between, ideally through a global agent network.
4. How do you handle tracking and updates?
You should get proactive status, clean documents and same-day PODs — not silence until something breaks.
5. How fast can you quote?
A responsive partner quotes standard lanes in minutes, not days.
6. How do you vet carriers?
With fraud at record highs, your forwarder should verify authority, insurance and safety on every carrier — and never re-broker your freight.
7. Can I reach a person?
Especially outside 9–5. Weekend support and a real human on the phone are worth more than any dashboard.
Prime Cargo People checks all seven boxes — a licensed operator with 18 US warehouses, weekend coverage and worldwide reach.