Frequently Asked Questions

Silk Route Logistics (SRL) is a Michigan-licensed property broker (USDOT 4526880, MC 1794414) that connects shippers with FMCSA-vetted carriers across the 48 contiguous United States. We use technology, including the Compass Engine carrier-vetting system and the Marco Polo AI assistant, to deliver shipment visibility, transparent pricing, and consistent service on every load.

Our headquarters is in Galesburg, Michigan (Kalamazoo County), strategically positioned in the heart of the Midwest freight corridor. This central location allows us to efficiently serve shippers and carriers across all 48 contiguous states.

SRL provides freight brokerage services across all 48 contiguous United States. Coast-to-coast, regional, or short-haul, our FMCSA-vetted carrier network covers it.

Getting a quote is simple. Visit our Shippers page and fill out the quote request form with your shipment details including origin, destination, commodity, and weight. Our team provides fast quotes during business hours. You can also call us directly at (269) 220-6760.

We handle a wide range of freight including dry van (general merchandise, packaged goods), refrigerated (temperature-controlled perishables), flatbed (oversized, construction materials), dedicated and expedited lanes, and specialized freight (hazmat, high-value). Our carrier network covers virtually every commodity.

You can track your shipment through our tracking page using your load number or BOL reference, on a branded link tied to your load. You'll see milestone updates (dispatched, picked up, in transit, delivered), estimated arrival, and automatic notifications. You'll also receive proactive status updates from your dedicated account representative.

Visit our Carriers page and complete the carrier onboarding form. You'll need active FMCSA operating authority (18+ months of operating history), your MC and DOT numbers, insurance certificates, and a W-9. Our compliance team runs the Compass Engine vetting on your credentials, and once approved you can start hauling. Most carriers are cleared within a few business days.

The Caravan Partner Program is our carrier rewards system that recognizes reliable partners with faster pay. Every approved carrier starts at Silver (Net-30 standard pay, 7-day Quick Pay at 3%) on day 1, regardless of fleet size. Reach the Gold gate (12 loads, 97% on-time, 90-day tenure floor) for Net-21 and 2% Quick Pay. Reach Platinum (20 loads, 98% on-time, 120-day tenure floor) for Net-14, 1% Quick Pay, and priority freight access. Same-day Quick Pay is available at every tier for a universal +2% premium.

Yes. Standard free payment terms are Net-30 at Silver (entry tier), Net-21 at Gold, and Net-14 at Platinum. Quick Pay gets you paid faster: 7-day pay at 3% (Silver), 2% (Gold), or 1% (Platinum). Same-day pay is available on any load at every tier for a universal +2% premium (Silver 5%, Gold 4%, Platinum 3%). No contracts, no setup fees, no monthly minimums. Enroll from the carrier portal the moment your account is verified.

The Compass Score is SRL's carrier performance rating with seven factors: on-time pickup (20%), on-time delivery (20%), tracking compliance (15%), claims ratio (15%), communication (10%), document timeliness (10%), acceptance rate (10%). The score is published transparently on /carriers.

Yes. Tier advancement is performance-based, not fleet-size-based. Gold unlocks at 12 loads, 97% on-time, and a 90-day tenure floor; Platinum at 20 loads, 98% on-time, and a 120-day tenure floor. A clean-running owner-operator advances the same as a large fleet.

SRL verifies every carrier's active FMCSA authority and insurance before dispatch. We do not re-broker loads. Every rate confirmation names SRL as the paying broker, with our BMC-84 bond on file with FMCSA. If anyone else invoices you for a Caravan Partner Program-tendered load, that is fraud. Report it to compliance@silkroutelogistics.ai.

Marco Polo is our AI assistant built into the SRL platform. Named after the Silk Road explorer, Marco Polo answers questions about loads, tracking, Quick Pay, and the Caravan Partner Program, and helps with day-to-day operational support. It's available 24/7 to shippers and carriers for instant answers.

Our platform is fully responsive and optimized for mobile browsers, so you can access every feature from your phone or tablet, including POD upload and shipment tracking. Add our site to your home screen for an app-like experience.

Tracking runs on milestone updates across the load lifecycle (dispatched, picked up, in transit, delivered), surfaced on a branded tracking link with estimated arrival and automatic notifications. Updates come from carrier check-ins and SRL-handled check calls. Telematics/ELD integration is available and feeds live location automatically once a carrier connects their device.

Standard payment terms for shippers are Net 30 from delivery. For carriers, free standard pay is tiered through the Caravan Partner Program (Net-30 at Silver, Net-21 at Gold, Net-14 at Platinum), with optional Quick Pay for faster processing. All invoices include detailed documentation: rate confirmation, bill of lading, and proof of delivery. Custom payment terms may be available for high-volume accounts.

We work with all major factoring companies. If you factor your invoices, simply provide us with your factoring company's information and a Notice of Assignment (NOA). We will direct payment to your factoring company per the terms of the NOA. There are no additional fees from SRL for working with factoring companies.

We accept payment via ACH transfer, wire transfer, and company check. For carrier payments, ACH is the preferred and fastest method. All payment details are managed securely through our platform. Contact our accounting team at accounting@silkroutelogistics.ai for specific payment inquiries.

Honest answer: working capital. Faster Quick Pay costs more capital to deploy per load, and SRL is a young broker prioritizing capital for growth. Same-Day Quick Pay is available at a +2% premium on any tier for carriers who need it. As the Caravan Partner Program network grows, standard Quick Pay speeds will compress.

Factoring companies advance invoices from any broker but typically require 12–24 month contracts, termination fees, and a letter of release on every invoice. SRL's Quick Pay is per-load, no contract, no termination fees, and applies only to SRL-tendered loads.