Freight Forwarder: definition

A company that provides transportation of property or household goods, for compensation, in interstate commerce. In the ordinary course of business it:
(1) performs or provides for the assembly, consolidation, break-bulk and distribution of shipments;
(2) assumes responsibility for transporting the cargo from the place where it was received to its destination;
(3) uses a carrier subject to FMCSA jurisdiction.

Freight forwarders must register with the FMCSA by filing Form OP-1 (FF).