Choosing the wrong freight partner can mean customs delays, ballooning costs, or damaged cargo sitting in a bonded warehouse. Get it right, and shipments move predictably, budgets stay intact, and customers get their goods on time.
This guide breaks down the top international freight shipping companies, the criteria that actually matter when comparing them, and the often-overlooked domestic leg that determines whether your cargo makes it from the port to your dock without a hitch.
Key Takeaways
- Ocean, air, and land freight offer different cost-speed tradeoffs based on cargo type and timeline
- Top forwarders combine global network reach with strong customs and multimodal capabilities
- Network size and digital tracking tools separate reliable partners from risky ones
- A reliable U.S. trucking partner matters as much as your international carrier for door-to-door delivery
Overview of the International Freight Shipping Industry
International freight shipping moves goods across national borders using ocean vessels, aircraft, or land carriers. Freight forwarders coordinate the process, handling documentation, customs, and carrier booking on a shipper's behalf.
It's a massive industry. Transport Intelligence valued the global freight forwarding market at EUR 192.73 billion (about $208 billion USD) in 2023, projecting a 3.3% compound annual growth rate through 2028. That growth reflects steady global trade demand even as freight rates fluctuate year to year.
Three modes dominate the space:
- Ocean freight — cost-effective for large, non-perishable shipments; slower transit
- Air freight — fastest option, ideal for urgent or high-value cargo
- Land/multimodal freight — connects inland origins and destinations, often bridging ocean or air legs
The companies profiled below made the list based on global network coverage, service reliability, technology investment, and long-term track record moving freight across borders.
Top International Freight Shipping Companies
Selection criteria included network reach across countries and offices, digital booking and tracking capability, and demonstrated reliability across air, ocean, and land modes.
Sims Global Solutions
Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, Sims Global Solutions (SGS) is a TIA-member multi-modal freight brokerage that pairs international freight coordination with dependable domestic execution, so cargo that clears customs actually reaches its final destination on time. It is backed by its own asset-based carrier, Kodiak Freight, giving it direct control over trucks and capacity.
What sets it apart:
- Seamless handoff between ocean/air forwarding partners and domestic truckload, LTL, drayage, and warehousing
- Proprietary SimsTrak TMS with API links to 70+ top LTL carriers for instant quoting and real-time tracking
- 150,000+ vetted carrier network and 33 million sq ft of warehousing across 96 locations in 48 markets
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Services | International coordination, TL, LTL, drayage, warehousing & fulfillment |
| Network & Reach | 150,000+ carriers; 96 warehouse locations in 48 US markets |
| Best For | Shippers who want one accountable partner for the domestic side of international freight |
DHL Global Forwarding
Part of Deutsche Post DHL Group, DHL Global Forwarding ranks among the largest air and ocean freight forwarders on the planet. It operates in 115+ countries with roughly 200 terminals and storage facilities.
What sets it apart:
- Deep presence in both developed and emerging markets
- myDHLi digital platform for instant quoting, booking, and shipment tracking
- Strong modal scale: DHL moved close to **1.8 million tonnes of air freight** and over 3.3 million ocean TEUs in recent reporting
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Services | Air freight, ocean freight, customs brokerage, supply chain solutions |
| Global Reach | 115+ countries, ~200 terminals/facilities |
| Best For | Large enterprises needing global multimodal coverage |
Kuehne+Nagel
Founded in Bremen and headquartered in Switzerland since 1966, Kuehne+Nagel is one of the world's largest sea and air freight forwarders by volume.
Its standout traits:
- Sea Logistics moved 4.325 million TEUs, a position the company calls globally leading (independent industry rankings placed it a close No. 2 in 2025)
- myKN platform delivers instant air, sea, and road quotes plus real-time booking and tracking
- Network spans 1,300+ sites in nearly 100 countries
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Services | Sea freight, air freight, contract logistics, road logistics |
| Global Reach | 1,300+ sites, close to 100 countries |
| Best For | Companies prioritizing ocean freight volume and digital visibility |
DB Schenker
DB Schenker's roots trace back to German rail logistics, and that heritage still shows in its intermodal strength today.
Why shippers pick it:
- Runs the Eurasian LANDbridge, a rail-based network connecting Southeast Asia through China toward Europe, extended by a China-Laos rail service linking Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia
- Reported 1,850+ locations across 130+ countries as of its 2024 standalone footprint
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Services | Land transport, air/ocean freight, contract logistics |
| Global Reach | 1,850+ locations, 130+ countries |
| Best For | Shippers needing rail-based intermodal international routes |
Expeditors International
Headquartered in Seattle, Expeditors runs a non-asset-based freight forwarding model, meaning it doesn't own ships or aircraft but coordinates carriers on behalf of shippers.
What makes it different:
- Customs brokerage and related services made up roughly 39% of 2025 revenue, reflecting deep compliance expertise
- Operates through 172 district offices and conducts business in 60+ countries
- Technology-driven visibility tools track shipments across the full supply chain
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Services | Air/ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, distribution |
| Global Reach | 172 district offices, business in 60+ countries |
| Best For | Mid-to-large importers/exporters needing customs expertise |
UPS Supply Chain Solutions
UPS built its logistics reputation on parcel delivery, but its Supply Chain Solutions division now handles full international freight forwarding across air, ocean, road, and rail.
Key differentiators:
- UPS Forwarding Hub manages freight quotes, booking, and tracking in one place
- UPS Supply Chain Symphony adds broader supply-chain visibility tools
- Integrated network ties parcel and freight services together for end-to-end shipment visibility
- Global warehousing and distribution facilities support combined freight and fulfillment programs
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Services | Air/ocean freight, customs brokerage, small parcel integration |
| Global Reach | Global air, ocean, road, and rail forwarding network |
| Best For | Businesses needing combined parcel and freight solutions |
How We Chose the Best International Freight Companies
Too many shippers pick a freight partner based on the cheapest quote, then get burned by hidden fees, weak customs handling, or a network that doesn't cover their lanes.
We evaluated companies against factors that actually predict performance:
- Global office/agent network: broader coverage means fewer handoffs and delays
- Technology and tracking capability: real-time visibility reduces surprises
- Industry certifications: programs like AEO (EU) and C-TPAT (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) signal verified compliance and security standards beyond marketing claims
- Multimodal flexibility: the ability to switch between air, ocean, and rail as conditions change
- Customer support responsiveness: response speed during disruptions separates reliable partners from the rest
Each factor ties directly to a business outcome: fewer customs holds, lower total landed cost, and fewer angry calls from customers waiting on inventory.
Why a Reliable Domestic Trucking Partner Matters for International Freight
Here's what many shippers overlook: even the best international freight forwarder is only half the equation. Once cargo clears customs at a U.S. port or airport, it still needs to reach a warehouse, distribution center, or retail location — and that inland leg can undo every efficiency gained overseas.
A container sitting at the Port of Los Angeles for three extra days because no truck was available erases the time saved by choosing a faster ocean carrier.
Sims Global Solutions, a TIA-member freight brokerage founded in 2010, addresses this gap with a hybrid model:
- Owned trucking assets paired with brokerage access to 150,000+ vetted carriers
- SimsTrak, a proprietary transportation management system with real-time GPS tracking and consolidated billing
- 33 million+ square feet of warehousing across 96 locations in 48 markets nationwide
- Drayage, LTL, and FTL capabilities for moving containers from ports and airports to final destinations
Pairing an international forwarder with a dependable domestic partner like Sims Global Solutions closes the gap between "cargo cleared customs" and "cargo delivered." That combination reduces operational costs and keeps last-mile delays from eating into the savings shippers worked hard to secure overseas.
Conclusion
There's no single "best" international freight shipping company; the right choice depends on your cargo type, budget, timeline, and destination markets — not brand recognition alone.
Before committing to a provider, evaluate ongoing performance, tracking transparency, and total landed cost. Headline freight rates rarely tell the whole story.
Once your international leg is locked in, don't leave the domestic side to chance. Contact Sims Global Solutions at 855-326-8671 or ContactSims@ShipSims.com for dependable trucking, drayage, and warehousing support that completes your international shipping strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship freight internationally?
Costs vary by mode (air vs. ocean), shipment weight and dimensions, distance, fuel surcharges, and customs fees. Always request itemized quotes so you can compare total landed cost, not just base freight.
What is the best shipping option for international freight?
Air freight suits urgent or high-value goods; ocean freight works better for large, non-perishable shipments. The right choice depends on your budget and how quickly the cargo needs to arrive.
What is the fastest way to ship freight internationally?
Air freight is the fastest mode, typically delivering in 5 to 10 days compared to 20-45 days for ocean freight. Actual timing still depends on route, customs, and carrier schedules.
What documents do I need for international freight shipping?
Core documents include a commercial invoice, bill of lading or air waybill, packing list, and, depending on the destination and trade agreement, a certificate of origin. Requirements shift by commodity and country.
How do I choose the right international freight shipping company?
Look at global network reach, tracking technology, customs brokerage expertise, and a verifiable track record. Don't choose on price alone: network gaps and weak compliance handling cost more later.
What is the difference between a freight forwarder and a freight broker?
Under FMCSA definitions, a freight forwarder assumes responsibility for shipments from receipt to destination, often handling international logistics end-to-end. A freight broker arranges transportation between shippers and carriers, typically for domestic trucking capacity, without assuming that same liability.
