US Federal Contractor Registration (USFCR): What It Is & Why Your Freight Forwarder Should Be Certified
As a business owner shipping freight in the federal government marketplace, you understand the importance of working with a reputable freight forwarder. You require a company equipped to handle government-compliant transport with the necessary licenses and credentials.
Whether you’re shipping aerospace parts or hazmat materials overseas, ensuring your freight forwarding company is certified with the US Federal Contractor Registration (USFCR) is critical.
Learn more about what USFCR is, its benefits, and how a certified freight provider ensures that your high-value commodities are transported safely and securely.
What is the US Federal Contractor Registration (USFCR)?
The US Federal Contractor Registration (USFCR) is a third-party registration system that certifies contractors and nonprofits that bid for federal government contracts. It’s designed to verify the credibility, capability, and compliance of private companies that provide goods, services, or construction projects to the federal government.
In addition to the US Federal Government, the USFCR is globally recognized as the largest and most trusted full-service federal consulting organization.
Why Your Freight Forwarding Provider Should Be USFCR-Certified
While it’s relatively easy to find a freight forwarding company nowadays, it doesn’t mean they have experience or can effectively follow transportation standards in the federal government sector.
The benefits of working with a freight carrier registered with the USFCR include the following:
Government Contracting Compliance
USFCR-certified freight carriers offering specialized transport have specifically designed fleets to securely ship tall or heavy equipment within legal height/weight load limits. They also know how to adhere to federal aerospace regulations like aircraft-on-ground (AOG) parts transport, where same-day order and dispatch, along with top-priority delivery, are required.
No matter what type of federal goods you’re shipping, USFCR-certified freight companies give you peace of mind that they have quality services and follow strict government contracting practices.
Industry-Leading Standards
A USFCR-registered freight carrier demonstrates its top-quality standards in the federal government and shipping/logistics industries. Not every private business that applies for registration gets approved.
The USFCR has specific qualifications for private companies to become certified, including:
- Financial resources to obtain and perform government contracts
- Satisfactory performance records
- Ability to meet specific delivery schedules
This regulatory framework ensures that federal freight forwarders provide fair, transparent, and top-tier transportation services.
Freight Forwarding Scam Prevention
USFCR-certified companies prevent businesses from freight forwarding scams, like cargo theft and double brokers, impersonating legitimate co-freight brokers. Because the USFCR registers federal government contractors, it confirms you’re working with a verified freight carrier.
The Federal Trade Commission reported that consumers lost more than two billion dollars over the past few years from government and business impersonation scams. These include spoofing “.gov” email addresses and mimicking government website designs to imply their affiliations falsely.
Now, more than ever, having a USFCR freight forwarder is essential to prevent these risks.
Business Reputation Protection
A USFCR freight carrier upholds your business reputation by working with a reputable, government-approved provider. It ensures that your high-value commodities are shipped safely, securely, and within compliance for federal agencies.
In addition to USFCR registration, your freight forwarding company should have transparent communication with real-time tracking so you always know where your goods are during transit. As mentioned above, the USFCR reviews if federal contractors have satisfactory performance records when they apply for registration.
You shouldn’t worry about your freight’s structural integrity or how they’re shipped to your federal clients.
Protect Your Commodities & Peace of Mind with Lone Star—Your Trusted & USFCR-Certified Freight Forwarder
Don’t put your high-value federal commodities at risk during transit with a non-USFCR-certified freight forwarder. At Lone Star Logistics, we’re a federally licensed, non-asset-based freight forwarding company, including the USFCR.
Our dedication to excellence is demonstrated with various notable industry accreditations:
- Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) affiliation
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) operating authority
- Avalon Risk Management membership
We also provide SafeWatch Solutions tracking to offer business owners full transparency with industry-leading services.
Ready to partner with a USFCR-certified freight carrier?
Learn more about our freight forwarding services or get a free quote today!
