Theoretical and positive study on freight forwarder's connotation

In order to unify the essential meaning of freight forwarders, according to the freight forwarding industry's present situation, the today definition of freight forwarders was put forward after inducing the relevant representative definitions from authoritative organizations and law in internal. Their service scope for consignee, consigner, and shipper was analyzed, their explanation in relevant law issued by Chinese Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic was presented. Their industry attribute from dependency, commerciality, legality, extensive and complexity was studied, their conduct attribute and their legal status were discussed. The law on freight forwarding in China must be established as fast as possible in order to standard and manage entirely all the freight forwarding industry after joining into WTO. 9 refs.