Are you a freight agent burned out or ready to move on?

If you have a strong book of business, it deserves a thoughtful exit, not abandonment. Here’s how to sell, transition, or exit your freight agent business without losing your income or disappointing your clients.

Freight Agents Wonder: How Do I Get Out of the Business?

At first, it’s a whisper.

After the 200th late-night tracking call…
In the middle of the third year of saying “I’ll take a vacation next quarter”…
When you feel like you’ve built something big, but have no clue what happens to it if you walk away.

Many agents reach this point, but freight brokerage companies rarely talk about it.

So what happens when you think:

“I want out… but what do I actually do with my book of freight business?”

“Can I sell my book of freight business?”

“Can I hand off my book of freight business to someone who will actually take care of it to my standards?”

Let’s break it all down.

Is Your Freight Agent Business for Sale, or Just Drifting?

Here’s the truth most brokers don’t admit:

A successful freight brokerage business for sale doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intention, documentation, and the right partner.

If you’re operating under a larger brokerage, your business may feel like it’s “yours”, but without the right exit plan, your only asset is your contact list.

So what happens to your freight agent business when you walk away?

The Hidden Problem with Many Freight Agent Companies

Most freight agent brokerages are built to absorb your book, not help you exit it.

When an agent wants to exit:

• There’s no formal buyout
• There’s no succession plan
• No residual income structure
• No promise the clients you nurtured will be cared for

Some brokerages even hand your clients over to a junior rep, or worse, quietly absorb them and keep the profit.

You and your freight agent book of business deserve better.

Related Article: Freight Agents Nearing Retirement: Don’t Let It All Go to Waste

How to Sell Your Book of Freight Agent Business The Right Way

If you’ve built something worth protecting, here’s how to exit your freight agent business on your terms:

1. Understand What You’re Actually Selling

You’re not selling a physical product, and you’re not selling freight lanes. You’re selling:

• Shipper trust
• Carrier relationships
• Operational know-how
• Revenue history
• Future profit potential

That’s real value, and should be treated as such.

Pro Tip: Document your revenue, account retention, top clients, and margin history. This gives you leverage.

2. Work with a Freight Brokerage Company That Supports Freight Agent Exits

Not all freight agent programs are created equal. The best freight agent companies will:

• Support phased retirement plans
• Offer fair compensation for your book
• Help you transition clients properly
• Provide the operations to maintain your book’s value

Related Article: FreightWaves: Why Agent Retention is Broken in Brokerage Models

3. Choose a Gradual Exit When Selling Your Book of Freight Business

At Somerset, we help freight agents create transition plans that preserve their income and reputation.

That could look like:

• Handing off accounts to a trusted team
• Staying involved as a mentor
• Earning residual income after transition

This kind of freight agent solution protects everyone, including the client when selling your book of freight business.

4. Vet Their Exit Culture, Not Just Their Commission Split

Ask your freight brokerage:

• What happens to my book when I retire or exit?
• Will my clients be handed off to an experienced rep, or left in a CRM to rot?
• Is there a formal buyout or handoff process?
• Will I be compensated fairly for what I’ve built?
• Can I earn residuals or stay on in a reduced role?

If they can’t answer clearly, you already have your answer.

Freight Agent Business for Sale? Treat It Like One

If you’re seriously considering retirement or selling your book of freight agent business, here is how to make your freight book actually sellable:

• Consistent revenue + account history
• Longstanding client relationships
• Clean digital record of shipments and margin
• Documented SOPs or communication logs
• Operational support that adds real value
• A partner that backs your exit, not blocks it

Related Article: Burnout for Freight Agents: Why the Cradle-to-Grave Model Can Burn You Out

Choose a Freight Brokerage Company That Honors Your Exit

At Somerset, we help freight agents build something that lasts, even after you’re ready to step away.

When the time comes for you to transition out of your book of freight business, we help you:

• Exit strategies and succession planning
• Book buyouts or revenue-share transitions
• Relationship-first client handoffs
• Your personal legacy in freight

We don’t just want your book, we want to honor it.

Ready to Sell Your Book of Freight Business the Right Way?

Whether you’re planning to retire, pivot industries, or reduce your role, you deserve a freight agent transition that rewards what you’ve built.

Let’s talk about how to sell your book of freight business the right way, and partner with a team that’s built to take care of what you leave behind.

Contact Somerset Logistics today for Freight Agent Transitions