By Ashley Robinson Florida is one of America’s most important gateways for international trade. Miami International Airport handles large volumes of air cargo, while PortMiami, Port Everglades, JAXPORT and Port Tampa Bay connect businesses with Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. This creates strong demand for freight forwarders that can manage transportation, customs clearance, warehousing and final delivery.
The following companies were selected for their Florida presence, global network, air and ocean capabilities, customs expertise and ability to handle complicated commercial shipments.
1. Crowley Logistics
Headquarters: Jacksonville, Florida
Main Service Area: Jacksonville, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and other Florida trade gateways
Best For: Caribbean, Puerto Rico and Central American shipping
Crowley Logistics is the leading Florida-based company on this list. Founded in 1892, the privately held company operates shipping, logistics, land transportation and supply-chain services from its Jacksonville headquarters.
Crowley is particularly strong on routes connecting Florida with Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic and Central America. It handles full-container-load and less-than-container-load shipments, refrigerated products, vehicles, construction equipment, breakbulk cargo and general merchandise.
Its wider services include freight forwarding, customs brokerage, cargo insurance, trucking, warehousing, cross-docking and nationwide cargo pickup. Crowley also operates substantial warehouse and terminal facilities in Jacksonville, along with South Florida operations serving international shippers. It is the strongest overall choice for businesses regularly moving goods between Florida and nearby Caribbean or Latin American markets.
2. DHL Global Forwarding
Headquarters: Bonn, Germany
Main Service Area: Miami-Doral and businesses throughout Florida
Best For: International air freight and time-sensitive cargo
DHL Global Forwarding is one of the world’s largest air and ocean freight forwarders. Its Miami-area operation serves as an important gateway for shipments moving between the United States, Latin America and other international markets.
The company offers scheduled air freight, priority cargo, same-day emergency shipping, ocean freight, road transportation and multimodal services. It also provides customs brokerage, cargo protection, order management and specialized industrial-project logistics.
DHL is a suitable choice for healthcare products, electronics, automotive components, perishables and other shipments requiring dependable international connections. Its digital platform allows customers to request quotes, book cargo, track shipments and review documents. Businesses should note that DHL Global Forwarding handles commercial freight, while DHL Express is mainly associated with smaller parcels and courier deliveries.
3. Kuehne+Nagel
Headquarters: Schindellegi, Switzerland
Main Service Area: Miami-Doral, Orlando and statewide commercial customers
Best For: Ocean freight, cold-chain cargo and supply-chain management
Kuehne+Nagel is a major global freight forwarder with operations in nearly 100 countries. Its Florida presence includes the Miami-Doral freight market and Central Florida operations, giving customers access to both international gateways and regional distribution services.
The company provides sea freight, air freight, road transportation, customs clearance, cargo insurance, warehousing and distribution. It also offers contract logistics, e-commerce fulfilment, project cargo and complete supply-chain management.
Kuehne+Nagel is especially well suited to businesses transporting pharmaceuticals, healthcare products, perishables, aerospace components and high-value cargo. Its experience with temperature-controlled and regulated shipments is particularly valuable in Miami, which is a major gateway for fresh produce, flowers, seafood and medical products arriving from Latin America.
4. DSV
Headquarters: Hedehusene, Denmark
Main Service Area: Miami and other major Florida commercial markets
Best For: Large international supply chains and multimodal transportation
DSV is one of the world’s largest transport and logistics groups. Its scale increased significantly after joining forces with Schenker, giving the combined organization a larger network of offices, warehouses, freight specialists and international trade lanes.
The company’s Miami Air & Sea operation manages air imports, ocean imports, customs coordination, warehousing and final delivery. Its broader services include road freight, contract logistics, project transportation and industry-specific supply-chain solutions.
DSV is a strong choice for manufacturers, large importers and exporters that require several transportation modes under one provider. It serves industries such as aerospace, automotive, healthcare, industrial manufacturing, fashion and technology. Since the DSV-Schenker integration is continuing through 2026, customers should confirm which local office, booking platform and account team will manage their shipments.
5. Expeditors International
Headquarters: Bellevue, Washington
Main Service Area: Miami-Doral, Orlando and Florida’s main air and ocean gateways
Best For: Customs brokerage, compliance and shipment visibility
Expeditors is a global logistics company with more than 350 locations worldwide. Its Florida operations support air and ocean forwarding, customs brokerage, warehousing, distribution and domestic transportation.
The company is particularly respected for customs and trade-compliance services. Its specialists help importers prepare documentation, calculate duties and taxes, coordinate inspections and arrange cargo delivery after clearance. This can be valuable for companies importing regulated, high-value or time-sensitive goods through Florida.
Expeditors also provides cargo consolidation, vendor management, insurance, order fulfilment and digital shipment tracking. It is a good option for businesses that want close control over customs documentation and supply-chain data rather than simply booking port-to-port transportation.
Factors Considered for This Ranking
- Florida office and warehouse presence
- Air and ocean freight capabilities
- Customs brokerage and trade compliance
- Latin American and Caribbean connections
- Warehousing and distribution services
- Refrigerated and specialized cargo handling
- Shipment tracking and digital tools
- Ability to manage door-to-door transportation
- Global network and carrier relationships
Conclusion
Crowley Logistics ranks first for its Florida headquarters, local infrastructure and unmatched strength across Caribbean and Central American routes. DHL Global Forwarding is the best option for international air cargo and urgent shipments. Kuehne+Nagel stands out in ocean freight, cold-chain logistics and supply-chain management. DSV suits large companies needing integrated global transportation, while Expeditors is particularly strong in customs brokerage and compliance.
Before choosing a forwarder, businesses should compare more than the freight rate. Ask whether customs clearance, terminal charges, insurance, storage, duties and final delivery are included. The quotation should also clearly state the Incoterms, estimated transit time and responsibility for delays or damaged cargo.