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UPS^® Freight Forwarding Services

At UPS Supply Chain Solutions, our services are here to simplify shipping freight. Find the freight forwarding service that’s right for you, explore logistics services and get your freight moving in the UPS^® Forwarding Hub.

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Get and compare quotes, book shipments, and track them end-to-end on one modern, easy-to-navigate dashboard.

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Freight Forwarding Guide

Our freight shipping guide breaks down the different modes of freight transportation, the benefits of each mode and answers some of the most frequently asked questions.

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Find Logistics Solutions

From warehousing and distribution to expediting critical service parts, we keep supply chains moving.

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European Trade Routes

Is your business expanding across the Atlantic? Here are the basics to know if you are trying to ship goods from Europe to the United States.

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What is Nearshoring: A Guide to Shifting Trade Lanes

Get answers to your top questions and learn about the benefits and considerations to determine if nearshoring is a good solution for your company.

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Freight Shipping Services

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Air Freight

If you’re shipping air freight, it’s critical. Our International and North American Air Freight services offers day-specific, door-to-door service to 220+ countries.

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Ocean Freight

Every day we move ocean freight across 2,300+ lanes. So, if you’re nervous about going ocean, we've got it handled for you.

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Ground Freight

Whether you’re moving goods across town, across country or across borders, trust our reliable less-than-truckload and truckload services to be on time, on budget.

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Express Shipping

UPS Express Critical^® offers next-flight-out service for ultra-time-sensitive deliveries. In North America and major global metropolitan areas.

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Multimodal Freight

Freight forwarding can be complex, a multimodal shipping option is less expensive than air freight, yet faster than ocean and an overall great solution.

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Freight Consolidation

Cut customs clearance time by consolidating individual shipments to the same destination country into just one shipment. We’ll handle everything from pickup to delivery.

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Freight Value-Added Services

Sure, we'll move your freight from here to there. We also offer a suite of support services that have helped companies cross new borders for 100+ years.

Customs Brokerage

We’ve been in transportation and logistics for more than 100 years, so we’re used to being on the front lines of customs brokerage.

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Flex^® Global View

Keeping track of all the vendors, POs and shipments constantly moving through your supply chain takes smart, easy-to-use technology.

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Warehousing

Are you and your staff wearing more hats than you can count? Explore our flexible, scalable warehouse management solutions that help you get back to doing what you do best.

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Inventory Management

If your current inventory management system consists of rows of SKUs and a team of people scurrying around to locate them, we should talk. We can help you simplify order, fulfillment and inventory flow.

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Distribution

If your small business has transformed into a fast-growing company, our distribution solutions can offer relief to those growing pains.

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Supplier Management

When your job is complex, managing 26 vendors across five countries and nine time zones, we’re here to help you manage it all.

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We’re More Than Just a Freight Forwarder

We’re here to be your supply chain wingman end-to-end. Compare logistics solutions to help your business flow seamlessly, find the answers to your freight questions in our educational hub or check out our shipping tools to streamline your next shipment.

Logistics Solutions

Check out our solutions that have helped companies of all sizes grow and prosper.

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Shipping Basics

Check out our Shipping Glossary, Market Updates, Shipping Guides and more.

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Shipping Tools & Resources

Find all your shipping tools and any other resources you may need.

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Freight 101 FAQs

New to freight forwarding or global logistics? Here's what people often ask.

What is freight forwarding?

A freight forwarder, forwarder or forwarding agent, also known as a non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC), is a person or company that organizes shipments for individuals or corporations to get goods from the manufacturer or producer to a market, customer or final point of distribution. Forwarders contract with a carrier, or multiple carriers, to move the goods. The forwarder does not actually move the goods but acts as an expert in the logistics network. The carriers use a variety of shipping modes —including ships, airplanes, trucks and railroads— and often use multiple modes for a single shipment. For example, the freight forwarder may arrange to have cargo moved from a plant to an airport by truck, flown to the destination city and then moved from the airport to a customer's building by another truck.

International freight forwarders typically handle international shipments and have additional expertise in preparing and processing customs documentation and performing activities pertaining to international shipments.

What is freight class?

The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) details 18 freight classes, with Class 50 being the lowest and Class 500 the highest. The higher the class, the higher the rate of every hundred pounds you ship. UPS bases freight class on four shipment characteristics:

Density—Are you shipping a pallet of stone or a pallet of ping pong balls?
Stowability—What are the dimensions of the shipment? Does it have irregular angles that take up more space than normal?
Handling—Is the freight palletized?
Liability—Are you shipping valuable electronic equipment or boxes of used clothing?

How can I ship dangerous goods and hazardous materials?

What is cross docking?

What are freight terms of sale?

Most purchases of goods involve agreement on freight terms, which are often specified in the quote, contract or general terms and conditions. They help determine who (seller or buyer) is liable for costs and risk at various points throughout the shipment journey. For international shipments, freight terms are commonly referred to as INCOTERMS rules (International Commercial Terms). Visit our Incoterms page for more information.

What is Partial Truckload or Load-to-Ride?

What is Less-than-Truckload (LTL)?

Freight Pickup FAQs

Typical questions asked about the pickup of freight.

Do I give a freight shipment to my regular UPS driver?

What is the maximum size of a shipment I can schedule for pickup without additional authorization?

What is the maximum weight of a shipment I can schedule for pickup without additional authorization?

Domestic Services: If a shipment has an actual or dimensional weight of 3,000 lbs. (1,361 kg) or more, additional authorization is needed and you will need to call 1-800-443-6379 from the U.S. and Canada or 1-913-693-6151 from outside the U.S. and Canada.

International Services: If a shipment has an actual or dimensional weight of 3,000 lbs. (1,361 kg) or more on UPS Air Freight Premium Direct (CX) service, additional authorization is needed and you will need to call 1-800-443-6379 from the U.S. and Canada or 1-913-693-6151 from outside the U.S. and Canada.

Who do I contact to make a last-minute change to my scheduled pickup?

Can a liftgate be provided upon pickup?

Where can I find shipping documents I need?

UPS® Freight Forwarding Services