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A freight agent is a salesperson who finds customers and arranges freight shipments under a licensed freight broker's authority. Like a broker, a freight agent connects someone who needs goods shipped with a transportation company that can haul them. The key difference: a freight agent doesn't need their own FMCSA broker license or $75,000 bond. All of the agent's loads move under the broker's license, and the agent earns a share of the margin, often 50–70%.
If you want to get into the freight business but aren't ready to run a brokerage, financially or otherwise, becoming a freight agent is one of the easiest ways to start.
What Does a Freight Agent Do?
A freight agent typically:
- Finds and manages customers (shippers and receivers) who need freight moved
- Quotes rates and negotiates with customers
- Finds carriers for each load, often using the broker's load boards and carrier vetting process
- Coordinates the shipment from pickup to delivery
- Builds a "book of business": the customers they bring in and keep
The brokerage usually handles the back office: carrier payments, customer invoicing, insurance and compliance.
Do Freight Agents Need a License?
No. Freight agents don't need their own FMCSA broker authority, surety bond or BOC-3 filing, because they work under the broker's license. The broker carries the legal and financial responsibility for the loads. You will, however, sign a freight agent agreement with the brokerage, and some brokerages require agents to have their own business entity or insurance. See freight agent agreements.
Freight Agent vs. Freight Broker
| Comparison | Freight Agent | Freight Broker |
|---|---|---|
| FMCSA license | Not required | Required |
| $75,000 bond or trust | Not required | Required |
| Pays carriers | No; the brokerage does | Yes, from their own cash |
| How they earn | Share of the margin (often 50–70%) | Full margin, minus business costs |
| Startup cost | Low | Higher (see startup costs) |
| Financial risk | Low | Higher |
Learn more in What is a freight broker?
How Do Freight Agents Get Paid?
Most freight agents are independent contractors paid a commission split: a percentage of the gross margin on each load they book, commonly 50–70%. Agents who cover their own expenses (load boards, phone, marketing) usually negotiate a higher split. Some brokerages also hire agents as employees with a base salary plus commission. See our freight broker salary and income guide for how the numbers work.
How to Become a Freight Agent
- Learn the business: rates, carrier vetting, paperwork and how a load moves from start to finish.
- Choose a brokerage that works with agents, and compare commission splits, support and tools.
- Sign a freight agent agreement covering your split, expenses, non-compete terms and who owns your customer accounts.
- Build your book of business by finding and keeping customers.
Many successful agents later open their own brokerage. Freight agent knowledge is freight broker knowledge, so learning the full brokering process from the start pays off. For a step-by-step look at the agent path, see our Freight Agent Career Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a freight agent?
A freight agent finds customers and arranges freight shipments under a licensed freight broker's authority, earning a share of the margin on each load.
Do you need a license to be a freight agent?
No. Freight agents work under a licensed broker's FMCSA authority and bond, so they don't need their own broker license.
What's the difference between a freight agent and a freight broker?
A freight broker holds FMCSA authority and a $75,000 bond and pays carriers directly. A freight agent works under a broker's authority, doesn't need a license or bond, and splits the margin with the broker.
How much do freight agents make?
Freight agents typically earn 50–70% of the gross margin on the loads they book. Income depends on how many loads they move and how profitable those loads are.
Can I be a freight agent from home?
Yes. Many freight agents work remotely as independent contractors. All you need is a computer, phone, internet connection, and the knowledge and sales skills to find customers.
Want to become a freight agent or freight broker? LearnFreight's online freight broker training teaches everything agents do (finding customers, rates, carriers and paperwork) plus the licensing knowledge to open your own brokerage later. Training starts at $60/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee.