How To Become A Freight Broker In South Africa

A freight broker is an intermediary between a shipper and a freight service provider. Freight brokers can specialize in certain types of freight, such as equipment hauling on lowboys, oversize, bulk tanker, auto, or other types of freight transportation.

Is freight broker a good business?

Many people think that starting their own brokerage is an easy and lucrative way to find success in the freight broker industry. Freight brokerage has some of the highest turnover of any business, with many brokers failing within their first year.

Are freight brokers in demand?

Demand for freight brokers continues to increase as the industry evolves. Starting a freight brokerage business or maintaining a current one appears to have a positive job outlook for this career.

Why do freight brokers fail?

Failure 1 – Lack of Knowledge and Planning (Expertise) – It sounds simple, but the number one reason why people fail is because they lack freight broker business knowledge and will not take the time to learn this business. Many fail because of poor planning and a lack of knowledge.

Is being a freight broker hard?

Taking freight broker training won’t prepare you for the auto transport industry just as taking auto transport broker training definitely won’t prepare you for the general freight industry. As far as difficulty goes, being a freight broker is hard work.

Below are steps to Become A Freight Broker In South Africa

As you now know, there are several steps that you will need to undertake on your way to becoming a freight broker, so let’s jump directly into what they are:

1 Gain Industry Experience and Study

Your communication and people skills, naturally, are of critical importance, as a large part of your work will be done over the phone or email – both negotiating and closing deals.

If you have – or can build up – some experience in the transportation industry in another role, this can be very beneficial for your brokering, as you’ll be better connected with the main players in the field.

Sign Up for Freight Broker Training

Besides the general skills you need to refresh or develop, you might want to attend a freight broker school in order to get fully prepared for the actual requirements of the brokering job. Getting the top freight broker training books is also important, so you can always refer to them when you’re unsure how to go ahead.

2 Choose a Company Name and Register Your Business

In order to legally operate a brokerage, you will also have to choose a company name and register your business, as with most types of license and permit businesses.

You can check whether the name you’ve chosen is taken at the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Part of registering will also involve selecting the kind of entity you’d like to register as:

Sole Proprietor,

Partnership,

Limited Liability Company, or

Corporation

After you have done that, you will need to register your business in your state at your local business license department in order to finalize this step.

3 Develop a Business Plan

Preparing a solid business plan is a must if you want to start your freight brokerage on the right foot.

With it, you will be able to apply for a line of credit with your bank but even more than that, your business plan is also an exercise in specifying which niche you will be targeting and who your customers are.

Your business plan includes a go-to-strategy and the more you invest in figuring out the specifics and researching the market, the better you will be prepared to meet its challenges.

4 Find the Right Carriers

A freight broker without carriers is like a ship without sails.

Part of your go-to-market strategy for becoming a freight broker should also include finding the carriers who work in the field of operations you’ve chosen for yourself.

From online directories and direct references by other brokers to networking events, there are a multitude of ways to find the right carriers for yourself, so don’t hesitate to try out a number of them and don’t just go with what feels easiest!

How long does it take to become a freight broker In South Africa?

How long is freight broker training? Freight broker training school lasts about 30 to 45 days. You may also choose to take courses at your own pace, as needed.

How much does it cost to become a freight broker In South Africa?

As you can see, the total upfront cost of becoming a freight broker can range from R 60452.39to R 75565.49 on the low end up to R 151130.98 or more on the higher end. Fortunately, not all of these expenses are ongoing. However, there are a handful of costs as a freight broker you’ll want to plan for each year.

Is becoming a freight broker worth it In South Africa?

Being a freight broker can be a lucrative job for the right person. The freight broker industry is expected to remain strong. More and more people rely on online shopping each year which means more trucks on the road.

Can you be a freight broker part time In South Africa?

Yes, it technically is possible to work part-time as a freight broker. Some companies will bring on freight brokers to work with the option of being part-time at home or in their office.

What’s the difference between a freight broker and a freight agent?

All freight brokers must hold a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) motor carrier authority. The difference between a freight broker and a freight agent is that a freight agent doesn’t need to hold surety or insurance. Freight agents work for the broker, managing the day-to-day operations.

Is being a freight broker stressful?

Reduce your stress level Stress levels can easily be elevated when working under the tight deadlines of transporting time-sensitive shipments. Freight brokerage is always going to be a stressful occupation, however, you can mitigate some of the stress through sound organization practices.1

What is a freight broker job?

Job Description

A freight broker can be an individual or company that matches shippers with transportation services in order to transport goods. Freight brokers are responsible for matching authorized and reliable transportation carriers to the shippers and coordinating all of the shipping needs for many companies.