Bear Shift We arrange trucks and warehouses for you · Federally licensed broker · Seattle–Tacoma area
Licensed freight broker for shipping and storage in the Seattle–Tacoma area
We're a licensed freight broker: we book vetted, insured carriers and coordinate storage with independent warehouses. One contact for your shipping and your storage.
Instant quote: a reference price for truck shipments and pallet storage, in seconds; a person confirms it with you before anything is booked. Weekly lanes, special freight or floor space? A person quotes it.
Or call (425) 754-5008 — Mon–Sat.
Own a warehouse with space to fill, or trucks?
Verify our federal license (USDOT 4509218) (opens in a new tab)
Shipping and storage, arranged by one team
As a broker we don't operate trucks or warehouses. We tap a vetted network of licensed carriers for your shipments and coordinate storage with independent warehouses near your route.
Focused on the Seattle–Tacoma area (Puget Sound). We arrange freight across the Pacific Northwest and to or from anywhere in the continental U.S. (lower 48).
Common areas: Seattle · Tacoma · Kent · Auburn · Sumner · Fife · Puyallup. Somewhere else in the continental U.S.? Ask us — we look for carriers nationwide.
Freight we arrange
Transportation we arrange for you
A few pallets (partial / LTL)
Smaller shipments share a truck, so you pay for your space, not a whole truck.
Learn moreA whole truck (FTL)
A dedicated dry van from a vetted carrier for your full load, straight from pickup to delivery.
Learn moreCold or frozen (reefer)
Temperature-controlled trucks, arranged case by case: tell us the temperature range and, for food, its sanitary requirements, and we confirm in writing before booking whether we can arrange it.
Learn moreBig, heavy or open-deck (flatbed)
Flatbed, step-deck and oversize loads, with tarps, straps and permits arranged with the carrier.
Learn moreAlso: several pickups or deliveries in one trip (multi-stop) · urgent loads (expedited)
Storage we coordinate
Storage with independent partner warehouses
Need to hold, stage or transfer freight? We look for space in an independent warehouse near your route and connect it with your transportation — one plan, one contact.
Short & long-term storage
Space for your pallets for days, weeks or months.
Learn moreTruck-to-truck transfer (cross-dock)
Freight goes from one truck to another without long-term storage.
Learn morePallet staging
Your pallets wait at the warehouse, ready for a delivery appointment or a store reset.
Learn moreHow storage works
- Tell us how many pallets, for how long and near which city.
- We send you the storage price before anything is booked.
- We line up the truck in and the truck out, so you don't juggle three vendors.
Storage is provided by independent warehouses. Your goods stay yours; the warehouse is responsible for them while stored and issues its receipts to you. Bear Shift coordinates the service. Insure valuable goods under your own policy. Full details in the FAQ.
How storage works · Own a warehouse with space to fill? Become a partner warehouse
From request to delivery, in four steps
One team coordinates your shipment — quoting, carrier booking, paperwork and billing. No runaround.
- Tell us what you're shippingFrom where to where, what it is and when — online, by phone or by email.
- Get your priceGet an instant quote online, or get a quote from a person. You approve the price before booking. Extras such as a liftgate (lift platform) or an extra stop, waiting time (detention), a truck ordered and not used (TONU) or freight that differs from what you told us are charged as your quote's terms explain.
- We book a vetted carrierWe check its authority and insurance, book it, send you the pickup details and share the bill of lading prepared for your shipment.
- Track it to deliveryFollow your shipment with a tracking link, then get proof of delivery and one clear invoice.
You approve the price first. New customers pay before the truck leaves; after your first shipment you can ask for credit.
Want to check us first? Verify us on FMCSA SAFER (opens in a new tab)How we choose carriers
- Active operating authority with the FMCSA, the federal trucking agency
- At least $1,000,000 auto liability and $100,000 cargo insurance, checked on their certificate of insurance
- We also ask each carrier for its W-9 and to sign our Broker-Carrier Agreement
- Our carrier terms prohibit handing your load to another carrier or broker (no double brokering)
Get a quote from a person
Shipping, storage or both — tell us about it and a person calls or emails you with a price. No account needed.
What happens next
- A person reviews your request.
- We call or email you with a price, and you decide.
- If you approve it, we book a vetted carrier and, if you need storage, coordinate the space with an independent warehouse.
You don't need an account to get a price. Ship often? Open a business account — 4 short steps. Have your legal company name, address and billing contact handy; you can save and finish later.
Open a business accountRequest received
Frequently asked questions
Is the instant quote my final price?
No — it's a reference price. A person confirms the price with you before booking. Extras such as a liftgate (lift platform) or an extra stop, waiting time, a truck ordered and not used (TONU) or freight that differs from what you described are charged as your quote's terms explain.
How fast can I get a price?
For truck shipments and pallet storage, you get an instant quote online: a reference price that a person confirms with you before anything is booked. For weekly lanes, special freight, floor space (sq ft) or temperature-controlled or hazmat storage, send the form, call or message us, and a person replies with a price.
Do I need an account?
No, not to get a price. If you ship often, you can open a business account in 4 short steps.
How do I pay?
You approve the price first. New customers pay before the truck leaves. After your first shipment you can ask for credit.
Is my freight insured on the road?
We only book carriers with at least $100,000 in cargo insurance and $1,000,000 in auto liability, checked on their certificate of insurance. That insurance is the carrier's and follows its policy terms. If your freight is worth more than $100,000, tell us when you ask for a price. Bear Shift doesn't sell cargo insurance; for full value, keep your own cargo policy.
Are you a trucking company?
No. Bear Shift is a licensed freight broker: we arrange your shipment with independent, FMCSA-authorized carriers and coordinate storage with independent warehouses. We don't operate trucks or warehouses.
Are you bonded?
Yes. Our broker bond is on file with the FMCSA: the $75,000 financial security federal law requires of every freight broker. It backs payment to shippers and carriers if a broker fails to honor its contracts to arrange transportation. It isn't cargo insurance and doesn't cover goods in storage.
For warehouses and carriers
What you get, what we ask and how to start. We review each warehouse and carrier when they join.
For warehouse owners
Become a partner warehouse
We connect you with clients who need storage or cross-dock near you, and coordinate the trucks in and out of your dock. You keep your operation and your insurance.
Carriers & owner-operators
Get loads with Bear Shift
Loads around the Seattle–Tacoma area and beyond, with a clear rate confirmation before you load and all the paperwork from your phone.
Where we work
Focused on the Puget Sound; shipments arranged to or from anywhere in the lower 48.
Local areas
Lanes we arrange
Guides for shippers and warehouses
Plain-language guides on brokers, bills of lading, claims and storage.
How to choose a freight broker
What to check before you hire a freight broker: its authority, its bond and how it vets carriers.
Learn moreWhat is a bill of lading?
The shipping document that goes with your freight, and what to check before you sign it.
Learn moreCross-dock vs. storage vs. staging
Three ways an independent warehouse can hold or transfer your pallets, and when each one fits.
Learn more