A freight forwarder and a customs broker solve different problems. The freight forwarder focuses on moving cargo and coordinating the logistics chain. The customs broker focuses on customs entries and regulatory clearance within the authority granted by the importer.
Simple comparison
| Freight forwarder | Customs broker |
|---|---|
| Books and coordinates transport | Prepares/submits customs accounting and clearance data |
| Manages carriers and handoffs | Works with tariff classification, value, origin and release data |
| Can coordinate broker activity | Must meet applicable licensing requirements |
Some logistics groups offer both through related entities or teams, but never assume one service automatically includes the other.
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