How to Become a Courier Broker

Courier brokers transport and deliver packages locally and around the world each day. Some couriers have security clearances in order to transport classified documents between private companies and government offices. Key components in a broker's success include the ability to hire qualified couriers, manage teams and meet agreed upon delivery schedules. Overnight, economy and same-day express services are offered by many brokers in order to meet client demands. In addition, couriers transport documents via ground and air.

Instructions

Gain your certification

1. Enroll in freight and air broker instruction programs, such as Freight Broker Agent and Camelot Training.

2. Study the program manuals.

3. Complete the online training courses.

4. Successfully pass the designated tests and receive your certification.

Get Bonded

1. Visit companies such as Surety, Insurance Tek and Atlantic Bonding Company.

2. Download and fill out the bonding application.

3. Provide necessary information for the bonding agency to conduct your background investigation.

Establish ownership

1. Decide whether your courier brokerage business will be a sole proprietorship and owned solely by you or whether the company will be a partnership and owned by two or more people.

2. If your company will have a broader ownership, decide whether the company will be a publicly owned corporation or a limited liability company (LLC).

3. Contact your state's requirements for an LLC to determine if your delivery service business meets this classification.

Obtain insurance

1. Work with a reputable insurance company to get the necessary insurance you will need to work as a courier.

2. Make sure that you have sufficient coverage types including liability should unexpected events occur including an accident that damages a client's package or should you receive customer complaints due to misplaced files.

3. Work with your insurance agent to ensure that you have sufficient financial limits set for each coverage type.

Secure the proper permits

1. Ensure that you have the appropriate permits to transport the materials and documents you will work with.

2. Make sure that you get an import permit and an importer/exporter code (IEC) number in order to be able to ship and deliver documents internationally.

3. Contact the local government's department of ministry or central government agency to obtain the EIC and necessary permits.

Establish accounts with major shipping hubs

1. Contact domestic and international shipping offices.

2. Speak with an account manager, and set up a company account with the major shipping hub.

3. Ensure that you have relationships with large metro hubs in cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, Dallas, New York City, London, Miami and Los Angeles.

Set competitive fees

1. Establish fees that are competitive across industries for the types of material and documents you will ship and deliver.

2. Research government or postal shipping rates and lower your rates if clients will have to deal with border delays if they use your private courier service to ship bulk packages with sensitive material overseas.

3. Align your fees according to the type of service a client purchases. For example, set higher fees when clients ship packages that require you to complete additional documentation or get documents to far away locations within short spans of time.

Resources

• Worldwide Couriers
• Courier Broker
• Courier Bulletin
• Carrier Training
• Bonding Application