Advocacy Issues

Freight Brokers: The Supply Chain’s Hidden Connective Tissue

What is a Freight Broker?

Freight brokers connect companies that need to ship goods with the carriers that move them, but that’s just the beginning. Their role goes far beyond simple matchmaking. Brokers bring deep expertise in logistics, technology, risk management, financing, and supply chain coordination. From navigating real-time disruptions to taking on financial risk, they’re the logistics experts who keep freight, and the economy, moving.

Keeps Freight Moving

Matches loads with carriers to ensure fast, safe delivery.

Manages Disruptions

Handles weather, capacity shifts, and global events in real time.

Supports the Supply Chain

Works 24/7 to assist carriers, shippers, and consumers.

Reduces Risk, Saves Costs

Absorbs financial risk and improves efficiency for businesses while reducing costs for American consumers.

Policy in Action: Protecting the Supply Chain Starts Here

Congress and regulators must step up. Freight brokers are essential to the supply chain and support common-sense solutions to protecting America's roads and cracking down on cargo theft.

Roles and Responsibilities in the Shipping Supply Chain

Transporting goods through a freight brokerage arrangement involves a coordinated process among shippers, freight brokers, and carriers. Each bears responsibility for complying with different aspects of the process that apply to the role they play.

Cargo Theft in the Supply Chain

Cargo theft in logistics is costing the U.S. up to $35 billion a year and driving up the price of everyday goods. TIA's 2025 “State of Fraud in the Industry” report reveals a staggering 1,500% increase in reported incidents since 2021.

Combating Organized Cargo Theft

$35 Billion Lost. Consumers Pay. Cargo theft has surged 1500% since 2021, with multimodal theft rings targeting electronics, appliances, and household goods. TIA supports the CORCA bill to strengthen federal enforcement and disrupt criminal networks.

Strengthening FMCSA to Fight Cargo Theft

Fixing Loopholes. Protecting Consumers. TIA supports the Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act, which empowers the FMCSA to assess new penalties, enforce existing regulations, and remove bad actors from the system.

Stopping Rate Intrusion

Predatory rate transparency mandates could force small brokers to expose confidential pricing, hurting competition and raising consumer costs. TIA is fighting to preserve free market principles and fair freight negotiations.

Modernizing Broker Oversight

Outdated Rules Hurt Modern Industry. Brokers are essential to the modern supply chain, but current regulations haven’t kept up. The Broker Modernization Act will update federal oversight, clarify roles, and ensure qualified, ethical broker operations

Strengthening the Security and Integrity of the Freight Network

The SAFER Transport Act strengthens freight network security and integrity by modernizing FMCSA’s registration system, enhancing federal enforcement coordination, and tightening oversight to combat cargo theft, strategic fraud, and unsafe operations.

Join the Movement

Support the industry that supports the American economy.

70%

of TIA members are small family owned businesses

70%

of all truckload freight is touched by a broker

$343 Billion

Is the size of the third-party logistics industry

It All Adds Up

Brokers Are the Connective Tissue

Contact TIA Advocacy Take Action Now!

What is a Freight Broker?

Keeps Freight Moving

Manages Disruptions

Supports the Supply Chain

Reduces Risk, Saves Costs

70%

70%

$343 Billion

It All Adds Up

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