Choosing the wrong freight forwarder here costs more than money. It means missed delivery windows, customs headaches at the border, and carriers that can't scale with your growth. Laredo alone handled $281.97 billion in combined truck trade in 2024, making it the number-one US-Mexico truck port in the country — proof of how much freight volume flows through this region even without a coastline.
This guide ranks the ten freight forwarders best equipped to move freight through Dallas, starting with Sims Global Solutions for its asset-based, tech-driven model.
TL;DR
- Freight forwarders coordinate multi-modal shipping, customs paperwork, and carrier selection for Dallas shippers
- Dallas has no seaport, so it relies on DFW air cargo, AllianceTexas rail intermodal, and cross-border Mexico trucking
- Pick a partner for network reach, technology, and multi-modal depth — not price alone
- Sims Global Solutions tops this list with its owned heavy-haul fleet, 150,000+ carrier network, and SimsTrak TMS
Overview of Freight Forwarding in the Dallas-Fort Worth Market
A freight forwarder arranges the movement of goods on a shipper's behalf, handling carrier selection, documentation, and often customs coordination across one or more transport modes. In Dallas, that job looks different than it does in Houston or Los Angeles.
There's no seaport to lean on. Instead, DFW's trade engine runs on three pillars:
- Air cargo through DFW International Airport, which moved 983,917 US tons in fiscal year 2021, an 11% jump from the prior year, according to DFW Airport's own cargo reporting
- Rail intermodal at AllianceTexas, global reach. It also means the forwarders that thrive here need strength in more than one lane. Below, we ranked the top ten based on multi-modal capability, technology, carrier network depth, customs support, and verified client experience.
Top 10 Freight Forwarders in Dallas
Every company on this list brings something different to the table. Some specialize in air freight for tech shippers. Others focus on heavy haul equipment or cross-border Mexico trucking. Here's how they stack up.
1. Sims Global Solutions
Founded in 2010, Sims Global Solutions has grown into a nationwide freight brokerage and 3PL serving shippers across retail, aerospace, defense, medical device, and Fortune 100 accounts. The company is a TIA member and operates on a hybrid model, owning heavy-haul trucking assets while also tapping a massive brokerage network for everything else.
What sets Sims apart is the combination of owned equipment and technology:
- Proprietary SimsTrak TMS with an integrated CRM for real-time GPS tracking and streamlined communication
- An owned trucking fleet for heavy haul and oversized freight, giving access to opportunities a pure brokerage model can't reach
- 150,000+ carriers in its network, including 35,000+ dedicated truckload carriers
- 33 million square feet of warehousing spread across 96 locations in 48 markets nationwide
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Service Modes | Truckload, LTL, Expedited, Intermodal, Drayage, Warehousing & Fulfillment |
| Technology | SimsTrak TMS + CRM with real-time GPS tracking and marketing automation |
| Best For | Businesses of all sizes, from small shippers to Fortune 100 companies, needing cost-effective, multi-modal logistics |
Billy, who leads Sims' Heavy Haul Trucking division, puts it this way: the company's own assets "have opened up countless opportunities that a traditional freight brokerage would have a difficult time tapping into." That's the differentiator: asset ownership backed by a technology platform, rather than a broker's carrier list alone.
2. Expeditors International
Expeditors, founded in 1979 and headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, is a tier-one global forwarder with a strong air freight practice serving technology, electronics, and retail shippers. Its in-house customs brokerage and named-account service model fit best for enterprise programs with substantial annual freight spend rather than smaller, transactional shippers.
3. Kuehne+Nagel
One of the largest forwarders in the world, Kuehne+Nagel brings deep Asia and Europe air and ocean capacity to DFW importers. Its 2021 acquisition of Apex Logistics expanded trans-Pacific air capability significantly, making it a strong fit for high-value electronics shipments moving between Asia and North Texas.
4. DSV
DSV combines international air, ocean, and road freight with a substantial contract logistics footprint. The Danish logistics giant completed its acquisition of DB Schenker in April 2025, creating one of the largest forwarding networks globally and adding warehousing scale that benefits DFW-area distribution clients.
5. C.H. Robinson
C.H. Robinson is one of North America's largest 3PLs, with deep truckload, LTL, and intermodal capacity across the Texas triangle. Its Navisphere technology platform serves nearly 200,000 companies, and its Laredo cross-border facility, with 154 dock doors and room for 700 trailers, makes it a heavyweight for Mexico trucking lanes.
6. DB Schenker
DB Schenker built its reputation on air, ocean, and land freight supporting complex international trade lanes, with broad industry vertical experience and integrated customs clearance. Following DSV's 2025 acquisition, Schenker now operates as part of the DSV group, though its legacy service lines continue to serve Dallas shippers under the combined network.
7. JAS Worldwide
JAS Worldwide is a mid-size global forwarder known for flexible, client-focused air and ocean freight. It's particularly strong in project cargo and trade show logistics, useful for Dallas's active events and exhibition sector, where deadlines and specialized handling matter as much as cost.
8. Team Worldwide Corporation
Headquartered in Winnsboro, Texas, with a listed Dallas branch, Team Worldwide brings decades of regional experience in air, ocean, and time-critical freight. Its local market knowledge and hands-on account management make it a go-to for Dallas-based importers and exporters who want a Texas-rooted partner.
9. Radiant Logistics
Radiant Logistics is an asset-light 3PL that operates through a franchise-agent model. That structure delivers localized service backed by national carrier relationships, letting Dallas shippers work with an agent who understands the local market while still tapping a broader carrier base.
10. Landstar System
Landstar runs on independent agents and leased owner-operators rather than a traditional branch network. It specializes in flatbed, drop-deck, and heavy haul equipment, a strong match for Dallas's industrial and manufacturing sectors, which regularly move oversized machinery and equipment.
How We Chose the Best Freight Forwarders in Dallas
Picking a forwarder on price alone is the most common, and costliest, mistake shippers make. A cheap quote that comes from a broker without verified authority or carrier vetting can turn into a missed delivery, an uninsured claim, or worse.
We weighed each company against four factors that actually predict performance:
- Multi-modal capability: Can they flex between truckload, LTL, intermodal, and specialized freight as your needs change?
- Technology and TMS integration: Real-time tracking and system integration reduce the manual back-and-forth that causes delays.
- Customs and compliance support: Especially critical given Dallas's inland port status and Mexico border proximity.
- Warehousing footprint and verified client base: Storage flexibility and a track record with real clients, not just marketing claims.
The FMCSA requires property brokers to carry $75,000 in financial security and file a BOC-3 process-agent designation. This baseline is one every company on this list clears. Beyond that floor, TIA's carrier vetting guidance recommends checking authority, safety records, and insurance before trusting a carrier with your freight. We verified each company against that standard before adding them to this list.
Conclusion
The "best" freight forwarder for Dallas depends on your shipment volume, industry, and growth plans. A tech company shipping air freight from Asia has different needs than a manufacturer moving oversized equipment across the Texas triangle.
Before signing with anyone, look past the pitch. Ask about scalability, total landed cost, and how they perform when shipments hit problems, not just when everything runs smoothly.
Sims Global Solutions combines owned heavy-haul assets, a 150,000-plus carrier network, and a technology platform that keeps you informed at every mile. Reach out at 855-326-8671 or ContactSims@ShipSims.com for a tailored logistics plan built around your Dallas shipping needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do freight forwarders in Dallas, TX charge?
Pricing depends on mode, cargo size, and distance. Quotes typically include freight charges and handling fees, plus customs costs when applicable. Always request an itemized breakdown so you can compare providers apples to apples.
How do I find a reliable freight forwarder in Dallas, TX?
Check for licensing and industry memberships like TIA, verify the size of their carrier network, and review client testimonials. Confirm they offer real-time tracking technology before committing.
What does a freight forwarder in Dallas, TX do?
A freight forwarder coordinates shipment logistics on your behalf, from selecting carriers and managing documentation to overseeing customs compliance across truckload, LTL, air, ocean, or intermodal transport.
What's the difference between a freight forwarder and a freight broker?
Forwarders typically handle documentation and customs, while brokers focus on arranging carrier capacity. Many companies, including Sims Global Solutions, blend both roles by coordinating carrier capacity alongside documentation and customs support for shippers.
Do freight forwarders in Dallas handle customs clearance?
Many forwarders offer in-house or partnered customs brokerage for import and export shipments. That's especially valuable given Dallas's status as a major inland port with heavy cross-border trade volume.
Why is Dallas-Fort Worth considered a major freight hub?
DFW lacks a seaport, but it compensates with major air cargo capacity at DFW Airport and rail intermodal scale at AllianceTexas. Add in the heavy cross-border trucking volume flowing north from Laredo, and DFW ranks among the busiest logistics corridors in the country.
