The international transport associates
Forwarding agents | Choosing transport associates

Forwarding agents are associates who organise transport. It is possible to distinguish between them as regards the responsibility they bear and the tasks which they organise.




Differences of responsibility

He is either a transport mandatory : Linking agent between two modes of transport, he acts on his client's instructions with a duty to advise as far as storing, re-delivery or customs clearance is concerned. He performs his duties as ordered and therefore, does not have a choice of sub-contractors. He is not responsible for the mistakes of the latter, but he will protect his client's interests, in the case of an accident report. His obligation is to bring about the operation.

Or, he is a transport commissioner : Intermediary, professional who organises the whole of the transport operation, independently on the sender's behalf. He sets up and co-ordinates the transport with his choice of sub-contractors. He is therefore responsible far any faults. His obligation is to obtain the results. This category includes : haulage contractors, air or marine groups, multimodal transport organisers, integrators, ...

It is recommended that the sender legally confirms the contract with his forwarding agent on paper, once for duplicate operations, and on a contract by contract basis for larger procedures.



The differences in the tasks which they organise

Organiser of multimodal transport
  • Transport Commissioner
  • Organises transport operation from start to finish
  • Incorporates different modes of transport
Harbour or Airport freight forwarder:
  • Transport Mandatory
  • Acts between two forms of transport where goods are subjected to immediate handling
Grouping agent:
  • Transport Commissioner
  • Organises lorries, wagons or full containers as well as air paying unit loads or pallets as part of a consignment
  • Negotiates prices with the transporters
  • Free to place the grouping with the carrier of choice
  • NVOCC (Non Vessel Operators Common Carrier) are agents who propose scheduled lines for grouping containers
Air freight agents:
  • Arranges by proxy for the air companies to draw up and sign air way bills
  • Must have received the consent of world agreements such as the IATA (International Air Transport Association)
  • Often co-operates with the grouping agent and the custom's broker
Haulage Contractor:
  • Transport Commissioner
  • Makes links between Hauliers and goods (hauliers are often small companies which don't often have the time to carry out client canvassing)
  • It is important to note the following terminology, in order to prevent confusion, that a haulage contractor doesn't negotiate a freight contractContract to hire a method of transport for a journey, or for a given period. , but a grouping contract Contract in which an intermediary (the grouping agent) consults the sender (or forwarding agent) and the transport company. The grouping agent gathers together many different deliveries to the same destination in order to make up a full load for the transporter.
Customs Broker
  • Transport Mandatory
  • Represents the importer/exporter during customs formalities


This enumeration is not exhaustive, but it encompasses the main types of forwarding agents who could appear in the transport market. It should be remembered that the designation varies from one country to another, (The French designations are given here) and that it can become more complicated by the same term having different definitions depending on the country. Therefore, the sender must take charge of confirming the exact responsibility to avoid problems and unpleasant surprises during transit.