What is the difference between a carrier and a freight forwarder?

1, Definition and Overview
carrier
A carrier, also known as a transportation company or carrier, refers to an enterprise or organization that transports goods from the place of origin to the place of receipt through its own or leased means of transportation, in accordance with the time, place, and method specified in the transportation contract. The carrier is responsible for the actual transportation process of the goods, including loading and unloading, handling, transportation, and delivery of the goods.
Freight forwarder
Freight forwarders, also known as freight forwarders or logistics agents, are third-party service organizations specialized in organizing, coordinating, managing, and controlling cargo transportation. Freight forwarders do not directly participate in the actual transportation process of goods, but provide customers with comprehensive logistics services through cooperation with carriers, customs, inspection and quarantine institutions, and other parties, including cargo consultation, booking, customs declaration, inspection, transportation, warehousing, and insurance.
2, Responsibilities and Functions
The responsibilities and functions of the carrier
The main responsibility of the carrier is to be responsible for the actual transportation process of the goods. They need to choose appropriate transportation tools and routes according to the provisions of the transportation contract to ensure that the goods can be safely, timely, and accurately delivered to the destination. In addition, the carrier is also responsible for the loading, unloading, handling, and delivery of the goods, and handover with the consignee. During transportation, the carrier needs to comply with relevant laws and regulations and the provisions of the transportation contract to ensure the legality and safety of the transportation process.
The responsibilities and functions of freight forwarders
The main responsibility of a freight forwarder is to provide customers with comprehensive logistics services. They need to understand the customer's needs and the characteristics of the goods, and develop reasonable transportation plans for the customer. At the same time, freight forwarders are also responsible for communicating and coordinating with carriers, customs, inspection and quarantine agencies, and other parties to ensure that goods can smoothly pass through various links. In addition, freight forwarders can also provide value-added services such as cargo tracking, insurance, and trade financing to meet the diverse needs of customers.
3, Relationship with customers
Relationship between carrier and customer
The relationship between the carrier and the customer is mainly based on the transportation contract. The carrier is required to provide actual transportation services for the goods to the customer in accordance with the provisions of the transportation contract. During transportation, the carrier needs to maintain close contact with the customer, communicate the transportation situation of the goods in a timely manner, and ensure that the goods can be delivered on time. At the same time, the carrier also needs to provide relevant transportation information and suggestions according to the customer's needs.
The relationship between freight forwarders and customers
The relationship between freight forwarders and customers is closer and more comprehensive. Freight forwarders are not only logistics service providers for customers, but also logistics partners for customers. They need to have a deep understanding of customer needs and the characteristics of the goods, and provide professional logistics consulting and advice to customers. At the same time, freight forwarders also need to closely monitor market dynamics and policy changes, and provide customers with the latest logistics information and solutions in a timely manner. In the process of cooperation, freight forwarders need to establish long-term and stable cooperative relationships with customers to jointly promote the development of logistics business.