Added costs: Freight forwarders charge a service fee, which can add to the total freight costs of your shipment. However, their connections to carrier companies – coupled with reduced labour on the shipper's side – can also work to reduce these costs.
Reliance on a third party: If you choose to use a freight forwarder, you must rely on their network. This restricts your ability to procure the best balance of quality and price from carriers unless the forwarding agent is willing to look beyond their network.
Loss of control: Working with any third-party agent means giving them necessary control of certain tasks and letting go of that control yourself. You should only work with a freight forwarder if you understand and are satisfied with the control you are giving them.