Cargo leaving Texas can begin its journey beside a Houston refinery, inside a Dallas warehouse or on a truck approaching the Mexican border at Laredo. From there, a single shipment may pass through ports, airports, customs checkpoints and several transport companies before reaching its destination.
A dependable freight forwarder keeps those moving parts connected. It arranges transportation, prepares documents, coordinates customs clearance, tracks cargo and responds when schedules change. The following companies were selected after reviewing their Texas presence, international network, air and ocean services, customs capabilities and experience with complex cargo.
1. Crane Worldwide Logistics
Crane Worldwide Logistics is headquartered in Houston and provides global freight forwarding, contract logistics and supply-chain services. Its transportation options include air, ocean, road and rail freight, supported by customs brokerage, cargo insurance, warehousing and managed transportation.
The company is especially relevant to Texas industries because it provides specialist logistics for energy, aerospace, automotive, industrial, mining, life-sciences and technology customers. Its project-logistics division can coordinate oversized equipment, complex routes and time-sensitive movements. Crane also provides shipment visibility through its C-view technology platform.
Why Crane Worldwide Logistics is included: Its Houston headquarters, international forwarding network and experience with energy and industrial cargo give it a particularly strong connection with the Texas market.
- Headquarters: 1500 Rankin Road, Houston, TX 77073
- Official website: craneww.com
2. DHL Global Forwarding
DHL Global Forwarding handles business cargo through air, ocean, road and rail transportation. Its wider services include customs brokerage, domestic freight, industrial-project logistics, order management and multimodal shipping.
Texas importers and exporters can use DHL for full-container and less-than-container ocean shipments, urgent air cargo and projects that combine several transport modes. Its Industrial Projects division is relevant to engineering, manufacturing and energy companies moving oversized or technically difficult cargo.
The myDHLi portal allows customers to request quotations, book freight, access documents, track shipments and review logistics information through one system.
Why DHL Global Forwarding is included: Its worldwide carrier relationships and broad range of freight services make it suitable for Texas companies shipping regularly across several countries.
- Texas presence: Services are available to businesses across major Texas freight markets through DHL’s US forwarding network.
- Official website: dhl.com
3. Kuehne+Nagel
Kuehne+Nagel provides sea, air and road logistics alongside warehousing, customs clearance, cargo insurance, project logistics and integrated supply-chain management. It serves industries including aerospace, healthcare, consumer goods, industrial manufacturing and high technology.
Its air-freight services can handle urgent, high-value, temperature-sensitive and oversized cargo. Customers can obtain quotations, book transport and monitor shipments through the myKN platform.
Kuehne+Nagel strengthened its Texas-Mexico operations by opening a road-logistics facility in Laredo in 2025. The location supports cross-docking and customs-related services for businesses moving goods across the border.
Why Kuehne+Nagel is included: It combines a major global forwarding network with valuable cross-border capability in Laredo.
- Texas facility: Laredo, Texas
- Official website: kuehne-nagel.com
4. DSV
DSV is a global transport and logistics company offering air freight, sea freight, road transportation, project logistics, contract logistics and supply-chain management. Following its combination with Schenker, the company’s official site reports more than 3,000 offices and logistics facilities across over 90 countries.
Its Texas operations are particularly relevant to trade with Mexico. DSV developed a major Laredo logistics hub designed to bring warehousing, transportation and contract-logistics activities together at one location. The site was scheduled for completion in June 2026 and includes substantial warehouse and loading capacity.
Why DSV is included: Its expanded international network and investment in Laredo make it a strong option for manufacturers and distributors managing US-Mexico supply chains.
- Laredo facility: 1302 Uniroyal Drive, Laredo, TX
- Official website: dsv.com
5. Texas International Freight
Texas International Freight is a Houston-based forwarding company founded in 2010. It specialises in heavy equipment, oversized cargo and industrial project logistics for sectors such as oil and gas, renewable energy, mining, aerospace, agriculture and construction.
Its services include air freight, aircraft charter, full-container and less-than-container ocean shipping, breakbulk cargo, vessel charter, trucking, heavy haulage, export packing, cargo insurance and customs brokerage. The company states that it holds relevant FMC, USDOT and US Customs and Border Protection credentials.
Why Texas International Freight is included: It offers a more personalised Texas-based alternative for businesses moving machinery, oilfield equipment or cargo that requires specialised handling.
- Headquarters: Houston, Texas
- Official website: txintlfreight.com
What Should Businesses Compare?
Request quotations based on the same Incoterm, origin, destination, cargo dimensions, weight and delivery requirements. Check whether the price includes pickup, documentation, terminal handling, customs clearance, duties, delivery and cargo insurance.
Businesses should also confirm whether the forwarder directly provides customs brokerage or uses a separate broker. For ocean freight, ask about container detention, demurrage, storage and port-related charges that may arise when documents or cargo are delayed.
For high-value or oversized shipments, request a written transport plan covering packaging, lifting, route surveys, permits and insurance limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between a freight forwarder and a carrier?
A: A carrier physically transports cargo by truck, ship, aircraft or rail. A freight forwarder generally arranges the journey, coordinates carriers, manages documents and helps move the shipment from origin to destination.
Q: Can a freight forwarder handle customs clearance?
A: Many freight forwarders provide customs brokerage directly or coordinate with licensed customs brokers. The importer should confirm who is responsible for tariff classification, documentation and duties.
Q: Is cargo automatically insured?
A: No. A carrier or forwarder’s limited liability is not the same as full cargo insurance. Businesses should request insurance based on the shipment’s actual commercial value.
Q: Which company is suitable for oversized industrial cargo?
A: Crane Worldwide Logistics, DSV, Kuehne+Nagel and Texas International Freight all provide project or specialised cargo services. The right choice depends on the cargo dimensions, route, lifting requirements and destination.
