Guide
Carrier onboarding checklist.
35 questions to work through before you haul for a broker you have not worked with. If several answers are vague, that is the red flag — not any single one.
Who you are dealing with
- What is the broker's legal name, MC number, and physical address?
- Does the MC number match the name on the rate confirmation?
- How long has the authority been active?
- Is the broker bond or trust fund on file and current?
- Is there a history of revoked or reinstated authority?
- Who is your named contact, and is there a direct number after hours?
- Is the person offering the load an employee or an unrelated third party?
Credit and payment
- What are the stated payment terms in days?
- What starts the clock — delivery date, or receipt of paperwork?
- What is required for an invoice to be considered complete?
- Is quick pay offered, and what does it cost as a percentage?
- Does the broker have a current credit score with your factor?
- Will your factoring company approve this broker before you haul?
- Are there any deductions taken automatically from settlement?
- Who do you contact when a payment goes past terms?
The rate confirmation
- Does the rate on the confirmation match what was agreed by phone?
- Is the total all-in, or is fuel surcharge separate?
- Are detention, layover, and TONU rates stated with hourly amounts and caps?
- Is there a lumper policy, and who pays it up front?
- Are there accessorials listed that were never discussed?
- Is there a penalty or chargeback clause for late delivery?
- Does the confirmation forbid you from contacting the shipper or receiver?
- Is the confirmation signed by the broker as well as the carrier?
The freight itself
- What is the commodity, weight, and piece count?
- Is the weight legal for your axles and equipment?
- Are pickup and delivery appointment times firm or first-come, first-served?
- How many stops, and is each one paid?
- Are pallets exchanged, and who supplies them?
- For reefer: what temperature, continuous or cycle, and who signs off on it?
- Is a specific trailer type, length, or securement package required?
Risk and insurance
- What cargo insurance limit does the broker require, and does yours meet it?
- Is the broker asking to be named as additional insured or loss payee?
- Is there a claims process in writing, with a contact and a timeline?
- Is there an unusual indemnification clause that shifts broker liability to you?
- What is the procedure if the shipper loads you differently than the confirmation says?
How to use it
You will not ask all thirty-five on one phone call. Ask the credit and rate-confirmation questions before you accept, and the freight questions before you roll. Keep the answers with the load — if there is a claim or a short payment later, they are your record.