Freight forwarders act, first, as your agent in moving your product overseas. Second, they are knowledgeable about customs duties, documentation, credit transaction, and insurance in addition to their fundamental role of moving your goods from one point to another. Professional international freight forwarder and instructor do for cargo what travel agents do for passengers. There is no law says that you must use freight forwarder. Just like the airlines or advertising, you can book your own ticket or buy media space directly. Freight forwarders operate like travel agents and advertising agents who, in those cases, receive their commissions from airlines and the media. Freight forwarders receive their commissions from steamships.