NAICS UNIVERSITY · Free research for insurance agents
Freight Transportation Arrangement
NAICS 488510 · United States · 2022 edition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in arranging transportation of freight between shippers and carriers. These establishments are usually known as freight forwarders, marine shipping agents, or customs brokers and offer a combination of services spanning transportation modes but do not directly provide shipping services.
Start with the work promised to the client.
For Freight Transportation Arrangement, clarify the services, contracts and consequences of an error. Review professional liability (e&o), contingent cargo liability, cyber liability. Confirm which professional activities and additional services the proposed coverage actually addresses.
Questions to ask
- What is the split between domestic and international freight arrangements, and which modes are primarily used (truck, ocean, air, rail)?
- Does the operation include customs brokerage services, and if so, in which countries?
- What types of cargo are typically arranged — standard dry goods, temperature-sensitive, hazardous materials, or high-value commodities?
- Does the firm hold an FMCSA property broker license, and is the BMC-84 surety bond currently in place?
- Are any vehicles or physical freight handling assets owned or operated directly?
- For Freight Transportation Arrangement, what should the underwriter know about arranging transport of high-value, hazardous, temperature-controlled, or oversized cargo without specialized experience or protocols?
- For Freight Transportation Arrangement, what should the underwriter know about significant prior e&o or cargo claims, particularly involving customs errors or regulatory penalties?
- For Freight Transportation Arrangement, what should the underwriter know about operations blurring the line between brokering and actual freight carriage?
Activities described by this code
Other activities to examine
Census classification reference
For educational purposes only. AI-generated insurance research and automated logic can contain errors. Independently verify classification and coverage decisions.
Compare another operationInsurance operations research — draft
Freight brokers, forwarders, and customs brokers act as intermediaries between shippers and carriers — arranging pickup, transit, documentation, and delivery without directly operating the trucks, vessels, or aircraft. Day-to-day work involves quoting rates, booking carriers, preparing bills of lading and customs documentation, tracking shipments, and resolving exceptions. These operations are predominantly office-based or remote.
Questions to investigate
- What is the split between domestic and international freight arrangements, and which modes are primarily used (truck, ocean, air, rail)?
- Does the operation include customs brokerage services, and if so, in which countries?
- What types of cargo are typically arranged — standard dry goods, temperature-sensitive, hazardous materials, or high-value commodities?
- Does the firm hold an FMCSA property broker license, and is the BMC-84 surety bond currently in place?
This insurance research was generated in April 2026. It has not received a complete human review. The October 12, 2026 audit checked codes and titles only, not descriptions or coverage assertions.