Top Freight Forwarding Employers in Chicago
13 Aug, 2026
Los Angeles is the largest freight gateway in the United States, and one of the most active freight forwarding markets in the world.
According to Port Technology International, drawing on Descartes Datamyne data, the Port of Los Angeles was the busiest container port in the US in 2025, handling around 10.3 million TEUs. Directly alongside it, the Port of Long Beach ranks second in the country, and together the two form the San Pedro Bay complex, the largest container gateway in North America. Add Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), one of the busiest air cargo airports in the US, and the vast warehousing corridor of the Inland Empire, and you have an unusually dense concentration of freight forwarders, customs brokers, carriers and third-party logistics providers.
For freight forwarding and logistics talent, that scale translates into steady, year-round demand across ocean freight, air freight, customs brokerage and supply chain roles, at every level from operator to senior leadership.
What Los Angeles Offers for Freight Forwarding Careers
Los Angeles supports career progression from entry-level operator and customs roles through to senior forwarding, sales and operations positions.
The sheer volume of import activity through San Pedro Bay means forwarders in LA handle some of the highest container throughput in the country, giving professionals deep experience across trans-Pacific trade lanes, customs clearance and multimodal movements. International employers, global forwarding networks and specialist brokers all operate here, so candidates can build niche expertise, for example in perishables, garments or e-commerce fulfilment, or move across sectors as their careers develop.
Top Freight Forwarding Employers in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is home to a large cluster of global and specialist freight forwarders. Some of the most active employers hiring in the region include:
- DSV (Global Transport and Logistics): air, sea, road and contract logistics jobs
- Kuehne + Nagel: air freight, sea freight and contract logistics jobs
- Expeditors: air and ocean freight forwarding and customs brokerage jobs
- C.H. Robinson: freight brokerage, truckload and global forwarding jobs
- CEVA Logistics: freight forwarding, contract logistics and 3PL jobs
- Geodis: freight forwarding, contract logistics and supply chain jobs
- Yusen Logistics: air and ocean freight, warehousing and supply chain jobs
- DHL Global Forwarding: air and ocean freight forwarding jobs
- Kintetsu World Express (KWE): air and sea freight forwarding and logistics jobs
- AIT Worldwide Logistics: freight forwarding and supply chain jobs
Not sure which employer or location is the right fit for your experience? We can match your background to the right companies, districts and shift patterns. Talk to a freight recruiter now.
Key Areas for Logistics Jobs in Los Angeles
Freight forwarding and logistics roles cluster in a few distinct areas, depending on the mode and the type of freight.
- San Pedro Bay (Wilmington, Carson, Long Beach): the core of ocean freight and customs activity, close to the container terminals. This is the heartland for import and export operators, customs brokerage and drayage coordination.
- LAX and El Segundo: the centre of air freight forwarding, with on-airport and near-airport cargo facilities handling time-critical and high-value shipments.
- Inland Empire (Ontario, San Bernardino, Riverside): one of the largest warehousing and distribution corridors in the country, and a major hub for e-commerce fulfilment, contract logistics and inland operations.
- Commerce, Vernon and City of Industry: long-established distribution and warehousing districts close to central LA, strong in apparel, consumer goods and cross-dock operations.
Key Infrastructure
Los Angeles is built for freight, with sea, air, rail and road working together across the region.
- Port of Los Angeles: the busiest container port in the US, and the primary gateway for trans-Pacific trade, according to Port Technology International and Descartes Datamyne.
- Port of Long Beach: the second busiest container port in the country, forming the San Pedro Bay complex with the Port of Los Angeles.
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): a leading US air cargo gateway for high-value and time-critical freight.
- Rail: BNSF and Union Pacific both run dedicated intermodal services connecting the San Pedro Bay ports to inland hubs across the country, including Chicago.
- Freeway network: an extensive interstate grid links the ports and airport to the Inland Empire distribution corridor and beyond.
Freight Types Handled in Los Angeles
As the main US gateway for trade with Asia, Los Angeles handles a broad and high-volume mix of freight, including:
- Retail and consumer goods: the largest category, driven by imports from across the Asia-Pacific region.
- Apparel and textiles: LA has a long-established garment and fashion logistics base.
- Electronics and e-commerce: high volumes of consumer electronics and fulfilment freight moving through the Inland Empire.
- Perishables and temperature-controlled cargo: fresh produce and other reefer freight requiring specialist handling.
- Automotive and industrial components: high-value parts moving through global supply chains.
In-Demand Freight Forwarding and Logistics Jobs in Los Angeles
These roles are consistently sought after across the LA market, though they are not the only ones:
- Air Freight Import / Export Specialist jobs
- Ocean Freight Import / Export Coordinator jobs
- Freight Sales / Business Development jobs
- Customs Brokerage Specialist jobs
- Freight Forwarding Operations jobs
- Logistics and Operations Manager jobs
- Supply Chain Coordinator jobs
- Warehouse and Distribution jobs
- 3PL Account Manager jobs
View all logistics and freight forwarding roles in Los Angeles here.
Why Do Candidates Choose Los Angeles?
Strategic location and infrastructure: Los Angeles sits at the centre of US-Asia trade, with the country's busiest port complex and a major air cargo airport, making it a magnet for freight and logistics activity.
A global forwarding hub: The region hosts a dense concentration of global and specialist freight forwarders, creating strong, steady demand across ocean, air, customs and supply chain roles.
High demand for talent: Continued growth in e-commerce and international freight keeps hiring active for forwarding and logistics specialists.
Career growth and stability: Logistics offers clear progression pathways, ongoing development and skills that are recognised across the industry worldwide.
An international working environment: Many LA workplaces are multicultural and internationally connected, giving professionals exposure to global trade lanes and networks.
Your Next Freight Forwarding Role in Los Angeles Starts Here
Whether you are aiming for a step up, better hours, or a fresh start with a new employer in the biggest freight gateway in the US, Freight Appointments can help. We work with leading forwarders across Los Angeles and can connect you with freight forwarding and logistics opportunities that match your experience and goals.
