forwarding agent

A forwarding agent is a person or company hired to arrange for the transportation of goods. They act on behalf of a principal (the shipper) to contract with carriers for the movement of goods, especially when the journey involves multiple carriers or transport methods.1

These agents may also act as carriers themselves, undertaking the actual transport of the goods. In common-law jurisdictions, a forwarding agent who is not a carrier is generally not liable for what happens to the goods once they are handed over to a carrier. However, in civil-law countries, forwarding agents are typically fully responsible for loss or damage, even when using other carriers, unless the principal specifically requested that carrier.1

A freight agent is specifically defined as a carrier employee who handles receiving, forwarding, or delivering goods, or who locally represents the carrier's freight operations.2