How to Become a Freight Broker in New Jersey

Are you interested in a career in the transportation industry but want to avoid working on the road?

If so, a career as a freight broker could be right for you.

Freight brokers are responsible for arranging the transportation of goods and ensuring they arrive at their destination.

If this sounds like something you would love to do, you should understand what the job entails and how to become a freight broker in New Jersey.

Freight Broker Duties In New Jersey

Freight brokers work as a contract between shippers and carriers to ensure the goods are transported and reach their destination.

As a freight broker, you’ll be responsible for many duties, including:

• Creating leads and attracting customers to develop a sales pipeline.
• Seeking out reputable and safe carriers to handle the transport of customers’ goods.
• Proving customers with accurate shipping quotes.
• Scheduling orders with cqarrier5s.
• Helping carriers prepare for loads.
• Tracking the status of the goods being shipped.
• Working with carriers, shippers, and dispatchers to manage the scheduled pick-ups and drop-offs.
• Keeping meticulous records of activities.
• Keeping customers updated on the status of their shipments.
• Dealing with problems that arise during the shipping process.
• Staying up-to-date on market trends in the transportation industry.

These duties are essential to becoming a reputable and successful freight broker.

New Jersey is a unique location for freight brokers because the Port Newark Container Terminal accepts goods from around the world into the United States, allowing you to work internationally.

When the goods reach the port, many trucks collect pallets and transport them to thousands of warehouses nationwide.

As a freight broker in New Jersey, you will always be in contact with port agents and employees at the port to schedule shipment arrivals.

Licensing Requirements For Freight Brokers In New Jersey

You must meet the requirements in New Jersey to become a freight broker, and the first is to have a high school diploma or GED.

Next, you’ll need a motor carrier (MC) number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Without this number, you cannot apply for your freight broker license.

You must complete the following steps to become licensed when you receive your MC number.

• Get Insurance: After receiving your MC number, the FMCSA requires you to take out a liability insurance policy. You must submit the information to the FMCSA to become licensed when you purchase the insurance. 
• Acquire Process Agents: You must obtain process agents for every state you plan to operate and do business. When you have obtained your processing agents, a BOC-3 form must be submitted to the State of New Jersey and FMCSA. You should also keep a copy for yourself because you may need to show proof at some point during your career. 
• Acquire a BMC-84 Bond: You must obtain a bond or trust equaling $75,000 to receive your license. This is necessary to prove your credibility and to prevent fraud or failure to pay the shippers on time. 
• Obtain a Unified Carrier Registration: You must decide on a registration type and acquire a Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) based on your chosen registration type. This registration costs $76. If you also want to be a motor carrier, you must pay a fee based on your fleet. 
• Complete a Freight Broker Course: It’s best to complete a freight broker training course before looking for a job. The course will teach you the ins and outs of working as a freight broker and show potential employers that you’re serious about your career. 

Freight Broker Program In New Jersey

There are a few excellent freight broker programs in New Jersey that will teach you everything you need to know about being a successful freight broker.

Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape Community College offers a self-paced online freight broker course, making it a great option if you currently work full-time.

It’s a 100-hour course that typically takes six months to complete.

The course syllabus includes:

• The Basics of Freight Brokering
• Setting Up Your Business and Setting Goals
• Setting up Your Shipper and Carrier Packets
• Operations and Using Operations Software
• Types of Freight and Exploring New Markets
• Transportation Law
• Broker-Carrier Contracts
• Broker-Shipper Contracts
• Insurance for Brokers and Carriers
• Record Keeping, Accounting, and Financial Management
• Determining Rate Quotes
• Sales and Profitability
• Advanced Marketing 
• Develop Negotiation Skills

The program costs $1,895, and you can apply for an Affirm account and pay $92 a month;

New Jersey has a few other schools that offer the same course as Atlantic Cape Community College, including Princeton Adult School, Berks Community College, and Rowan College, among others.

Freight Broker Salary in New Jersey

You can make between $25,059 and $107,396, and the average salary is $67,776, which is higher than the national average of $63,283.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Newark	$54,268
Jersey City	$56,329
Paterson	$55,274
Elizabeth	$54,268
Edison	$53,788
Woodbridge	$53,788
Bloomfield	$55,274
Passaic	$55,274
Trenton	$52,289
Camden	$50,873

Regional Salary in New Jersey

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Cargo and Freight Agents, OCC Code 43-5011, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a freight broker and an agent?

Freight brokers work as independent salespeople for a freight brokerage, and an agent works on commission for bringing in new customers.

What hours do freight brokers work?

Freight brokers set their own hours, and you can decide how much you want to work.

Also, you can work from home, allowing you to create a work/life balance.

What is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)?

The FMCSA regulates and provides safety oversite for commercial motor vehicles.

Freight Broker Info by State