Double Brokering: The Freight Problem Hurting the Gulf Coast PVF Industry
By Joe Walker
If you’ve been in the PVF logistics world for a while, you’ve probably heard about double brokering. Maybe you’ve even had a load disappear, show up late, or get passed between carriers like a hot potato without a proper or honest explanation from your carrier. It’s frustrating, it’s expensive, and unfortunately, it’s happening more often these days.
Simply put, double brokering happens when a shipper (you) books a load with a carrier (trucking company) or broker (trucking middleman) who then turns around and gives the load to another carrier or broker without permission. This process can be repeated multiple times without the knowledge of the shipper, creating an unauthorized and convoluted chain of intermediaries in the shipping process. The shipper thinks they know who’s hauling their freight, but that freight may be with a completely different (and often unqualified and underinsured) carrier. It’s deceptive, it’s illegal, and it can cause major problems up and down the supply chain.
When double brokering occurs, that risk multiplies:
You lose visibility. Once the freight is handed off without authorization, tracking is no longer reliable and communication breaks down.
carrier or broker without permission. This process can be repeated multiple times without the knowledge of the shipper, creating an unauthorized and convoluted chain of intermediaries in the shipping process. The shipper thinks they know who’s hauling their freight, but that freight may be with a completely different (and often unqualified and underinsured) carrier. It’s deceptive, it’s illegal, and it can cause major problems up and down the supply chain.
When double brokering occurs, that risk multiplies:
- You lose visibility. Once the freight is handed off without authorization, tracking is no longer reliable and communication breaks down.
- You increase liability. Damage, theft, insurance issues, unpaid carriers, and back charges can all land back on your desk.
You lose trust. In the PVF community, where business is built on relationships and reputation, lost or delayed loads could result in lost customers quickly and permanently.