A freight forwarder, also known as shipper or freight forwarder, is a natural or legal person who provides services in the international transportation of goods "Merchandise (economy)"). It is an intermediary between the exporter or importer and the transport companies.

Freight forwarders are mediators in international transport operations by any means of transport (maritime transport, river transport, air transport, rail transport, road transport or multimodal transport). It organizes the link between the different carriers and thus ensures the continuity of the transportation of merchandise through different means of transportation. In addition, it usually coordinates administrative operations related to international transportation, such as customs procedures, financial management, documentary credits, insurance contracts, tax representation...

They act in a similar way to transport agencies: they adopt the position of shipper "Shipper (occupation)") in front of the carrier, and of carrier in front of the shipper.

The figure of the freight forwarder is regulated in most countries and their functions are defined within the scope of international trade. In Spain, the figure of the freight forwarder is regulated by Law 16/1987 on the Regulation of Land Transport, LOTT, since 1987.

Freight forwarders, originally, were dedicated to arranging the transportation of their clients' merchandise, hiring various means of transportation. His main responsibility was to advise on documentation and customs requirements in the destination country. His agent in distant countries monitored the interests of clients and kept him informed on issues affecting the movement of goods.

Currently, a freight forwarder continues to perform those functions for his client. Also, it continues to work with its agents abroad but can also operate through branches of its own company. Often, a freight forwarder acts as a carrier for part of the journey. It may happen that in the same transaction the freight forwarder is both the main carrier and the agent of his client.[1]​.

A freight forwarding company is specialized in the management and coordination of international freight transportation. It can also offer various logistics services. Contract or carry out the necessary operations for the international transportation of goods: packaging, storage, insurance contract, consolidation, physical transportation of the merchandise, customs and banking procedures...

The evolution of freight transport is directed towards container transport. The freight forwarder is increasingly a "consolidator"; That is, it groups the merchandise or cargo to make the transportation of a container or other unit of cargo profitable.