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What Does A Logistics Broker Do?

A logistics broker does more than just move freight; we optimize it. Discover how BlueGrace combines a network of over 250,000+ carriers with proprietary technology to negotiate better rates, secure capacity, and streamline your entire supply chain.

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LTL shipping is used for small freight or when the items don't require the use of an entire trailer. Your freight is combined with other shipments to fill an entire trailer. It is ideal for shipments under 15,000 pounds.
Full truckload is used when shippers have enough items to fill an entire truck or they want their shipment in a trailer all by itself.
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7500+ Daily Shippers
23,000+ Vetted Carriers
8 U.S. & Mexico Offices
1M+ Shipments Managed
  • 2025 awards Transport Topics Top Freight Brokerage Firm
  • 2025 awards FreightWaves FreightTech 2025
  • 2025 awards Inbound Logistics Green Partner
  • 2025 awards Transpor Topics Top 100 Logistics Company
  • 2025 awards Smartway Partner
  • 2025 awards Food Logistics rockstars of the Supply Chain
  • 2025 awards Great Supply Chain Partner
  • 2025 awards Florida Top 3PL
  • 2025 awards SupplyChainBrain 100 Great Supply Chain Partners
  • 2025 awards Bronze Ecovadis Sustainability Rating
  • 2025 awards Hispanic Business Enterprise
  • 2025 awards Supply & Demand Chain Executive Women in Supply Chain
  • 2025 awards Logistics Management Quest For Quality

What Does a Logistics Broker Do?

In the complicated transportation logistics industry, the logistics broker is an integral part of keeping the trains (or trucks, rather) running on time. What do they actually do? Read on to find out.

They Connect Shippers and Carriers

Brokers act as an intermediary between shippers and carriers. They use their connections with carriers to help shippers get their loads covered at better prices that most shippers have the power to negotiate. They help carriers and individual drivers stay well-booked by ‘selling’ them loads that work into their schedule, ideally minimizing empty or deadhead miles.

Tasks Freight Brokers Handle

  • Finding/vetting a carrier for a load
  • Negotiating shipping costs and other terms
  • Dispatching load
  • Communication with carrier and driver before, during, and after pick-up through delivery
  • Compliance
  • Load tracking
  • Necessary transportation documents
  • Invoice generation

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Managed Logistics That Drives Performance

BlueGrace leverages decades of logistics experience to execute managed freight shipping with precision. Our centralized systems provide real-time visibility, enforce disciplined cost controls, and give shippers accountable oversight at every step. Dedicated operations teams ensure global shipments are coordinated efficiently, reliably, and with complete transparency.

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+ System Integrations

% On-Time Delivery

What Our Clients Are Saying

Our clients consistently highlight the reliability, transparency, and cost-saving impact of partnering with BlueGrace. From small businesses to large enterprises, companies across the country trust our team to manage their LTL shipments efficiently, ensuring on-time delivery and reducing freight expenses. These testimonials reflect not just satisfaction with our services, but confidence in a logistics partner that understands their unique shipping challenges.

Sarah Thompson
Operations Manager, GreenLeaf Supplies

“BlueGrace has completely transformed the way we handle LTL shipments. Their team helped us reduce freight costs by 12% while improving delivery times, and the visibility into every shipment gives us peace of mind. They truly act as an extension of our operations team.”

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David Ramirez
CEO, Horizon Electronics

“We rely on BlueGrace for all of our nationwide LTL shipments. Their personalized support and intelligent routing solutions have made our supply chain much more efficient. The real-time tracking and proactive communication set them apart from any other provider we’ve worked with.”

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Emily Chen
Logistics Coordinator, Summit Retailers

“Partnering with BlueGrace has been a game-changer. Their team understands our business needs, provides cost-effective solutions, and ensures every shipment arrives on time. We finally have a freight partner we can trust, and it shows in our operational performance.”

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Technology That Supports Better Freight Decisions

Logistics data is only useful if it informs action.BlueGrace leverages BlueShip®, our transportation management technology, to support:

  • Centralized shipment visibility
  • Performance tracking by carrier and lane
  • Cost analysis across ocean, air, and domestic modes
  • Integration with existing ERP and TMS environments

 

Rather than replacing your systems, BlueShip® complements them—giving log

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Integrated Visibility and Execution

Logistics does not operate in isolation. Delays at the origin affect domestic transportation. Missed delivery windows impact downstream distribution.BlueGrace provides:

  • End-to-end milestone tracking from origin pickup through final delivery
  • Exception management when shipments deviate from plan
  • Clear communication between carriers, ports, customs, and domestic transportation providers

This level of coordination reduces blind spots and allows supply chain leaders to act before small issues become major disruptions.

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Proven Results

M+

Shipments

%

Cost Savings

%

On-Time Delivery

How Do Freight Brokers Make Money?

There are a couple different models to explain how freight brokers make their money:

  • They earn a commission on each load they ‘sell’, schedule, and see through to delivery.
  • Their earnings come from ‘selling’ loads to carriers for less than shippers are willing to pay, ideally covering expenses and netting them a profit.

How Does One Become a Freight Broker?

Freight brokers may operate as independent businesses, franchises, or they may work for a larger freight brokering company. Independent freight brokers may take home more of the money they earn, but they also have a lot more legal responsibility and liability, as is the case with many independent businesses.

Brokers must be licensed by the FMCSA, also known as gaining MC authority, insured, must have processing agents (a person assigned as being able to be served legal papers in the state) in each state where the brokerage will operate, and they must obtain a bond or trust.

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Take Control of Your Freight Strategy

 

Shipping freight will always involve risk. The difference is whether that risk is managed or absorbed.

BlueGrace helps companies move international freight with greater confidence, clearer visibility, and disciplined cost control.

Request a Freight Assessment or speak with a Managed Logistics Expert to evaluate how your ocean and air freight strategy can perform better under real-world conditions.

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What exactly does a logistics broker do FAQ

A logistics broker acts as an intermediary between a shipper (the business with goods to move) and a carrier (the trucking company). Instead of you calling dozens of trucking companies to find a truck, a broker like BlueGrace Logistics leverages its massive network to find the right carrier, negotiate the rate, and manage the shipment from pickup to delivery on your behalf.

Brokers save you money through buying power. Because BlueGrace Logistics manages thousands of shipments daily, it negotiates “volume rates” with carriers that are far lower than what a single business could secure on its own. Additionally, they prevent costly errors, such as incorrect freight classification or detention fees, by managing the logistics process professionally.

A freight carrier owns the physical trucks and employs the drivers. A logistics broker (like BlueGrace) does not own the trucks but owns the network and technology to connect you with thousands of carriers. Working with BlueGrace gives you access to the capacity of many carriers, rather than being limited to just one carrier’s fleet.

Booking directly limits your options. If that carrier is fully booked, you are stuck. By using BlueGrace Logistics, you gain access to a network of over 250,000+ vetted carriers. If one truck isn’t available, BlueGrace instantly finds another, ensuring your freight moves on time, even as market capacity tightens.

Reputable brokers have strict compliance teams. BlueGrace Logistics rigorously vets every carrier in their network, checking their safety ratings, insurance coverage, and operating authority before they are ever allowed to haul your freight. This mitigates your risk and ensures your goods are in safe, legal hands.

Yes. A modern logistics broker provides more than just trucks; they provide data. BlueGrace offers clients access to BlueShip® TMS, a proprietary transportation management system. This platform allows you to quote shipments, book orders, track freight in real time, and analyze your shipping data to spot trends and identify savings opportunities.

Absolutely. Because brokers work with a diverse range of carriers, they can source specialized equipment that might be hard to find on your own. Whether you need refrigerated trucks, flatbeds, or white-glove service, BlueGrace Logistics can match your specific freight needs with a carrier that specializes in that exact type of transport.

When you work with a carrier directly, you often have to solve problems yourself. When you work with BlueGrace Logistics, their support team acts as your advocate. We handle communication with the driver, manage delays, and even process freight claims on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your business rather than chasing trucks.

Logistics brokers are essential for businesses of all sizes. Small businesses benefit from BlueGrace’s buying power (getting big-business rates), while large enterprises utilize BlueGrace’s Managed Logistics services to outsource their entire supply chain strategy. The broker model scales perfectly to your volume.

A broker improves efficiency by removing the administrative burden from your team. Instead of your staff spending hours calling carriers and tracking shipments, BlueGrace Logistics automates these processes through technology. This streamlines your operations, reduces manual data entry errors, and speeds up your dock-to-door transit times.