Atlanta is one of the most strategically significant freight forwarding markets in the United States, anchored by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which handles more cargo tonnage than any other airport in the Southeast and connects the metro area to global trade routes across six continents. The city’s position at the intersection of I-75, I-85, and I-20, combined with its rail connections through Norfolk Southern and CSX, makes Atlanta a natural freight forwarding hub for manufacturers, retailers, and distributors throughout the Southeast. The metro area’s large manufacturing base in automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, and chemicals creates consistent demand for both import and export freight forwarding services, and Atlanta’s growing international business community generates demand for customs brokerage, compliance, and specialized cargo handling.
When selecting a freight forwarder in Atlanta, verify that the company holds a valid freight forwarder license from the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) for ocean freight and FAA-required certifications for air cargo handling. For international imports, a licensed customs broker on staff or a strong customs brokerage partnership is essential for smooth clearance through Hartsfield-Jackson or the Port of Savannah. Ask about the forwarder’s carrier relationships across the specific trade lanes you use, their track record with the commodity types you ship, and their technology platform for shipment visibility and documentation management. Red flags include forwarders who cannot produce their FMC license number on request, have no established carrier relationships on your key lanes, or cannot provide references from shippers with similar commodity profiles.
Top Freight Forwarding Service Companies in Atlanta
1. Atlanta Customs Brokers
Address: 650 Atlanta S Pkwy, Ste 104, Atlanta, GA 30349
Phone: (404) 341-6629
Website: https://www.atlantacustomsbrokers.com
Services:
- International customs brokerage
- Air and ocean freight forwarding
- Import and export management
- Compliance and regulatory advisory
- Warehousing and distribution coordination
- Multilingual staff for international clients
About: Atlanta Customs Brokers operates as the premier customs brokerage and international freight forwarding company in the Southeast, combining deep regulatory expertise with the multilingual staff necessary to serve Atlanta’s diverse international trade community. The company’s proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport positions it ideally for air cargo clients, while its ocean freight forwarding capabilities connect Atlanta shippers to the Port of Savannah and other Gulf and Atlantic container terminals. Atlanta Customs Brokers’ experienced professional team handles all import and export requirements including customs classification, valuation, and compliance with CBP regulations, making it a trusted partner for Atlanta businesses whose international trade operations require careful regulatory management. The company’s multilingual capacity reflects Atlanta’s status as a genuinely global business city.
2. JAS Worldwide
Address: 4900 St Joe Blvd, Ste 200, College Park, GA 30337
Phone: (404) 942-6200
Website: https://www.jas.com
Services:
- International air and ocean freight forwarding
- Customs brokerage
- Warehousing and distribution
- Project logistics
- Supply chain management
- 40 years of service
About: JAS Worldwide operates from College Park, adjacent to Hartsfield-Jackson, as one of Atlanta’s most established international freight forwarders, bringing 40 years of service experience and a global network to the region’s import and export community. The company’s Airport Business Park location gives Atlanta shippers immediate access to the air freight gateway that connects the Southeast to trade routes across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. JAS Worldwide’s interconnected global communications network enables real-time shipment tracking and coordination across its international offices, providing Atlanta clients with the transparency and reliability necessary for supply chain-critical freight. The company’s scale allows it to maintain competitive carrier contracts across major trade lanes that smaller Atlanta freight forwarders cannot access.
3. MBM International Logistics
Address: 3540 Empire Blvd SW, Atlanta, GA 30354
Phone: (404) 684-8988
Website: https://www.mbminternational.net
Services:
- International air and sea freight forwarding
- Import and export management
- Customs brokerage coordination
- Supply chain consulting
- Custom-tailored logistics solutions
- Dedicated export department services
About: MBM International Logistics specializes in providing expert international air and sea freight forwarding services to Atlanta companies large and small, serving as an integral part of clients’ export departments and offering the custom-tailored logistics solutions that distinguish a boutique freight forwarder from a commodity transport broker. The company’s emphasis on acting as an embedded export department partner rather than a transactional service provider reflects its focus on small and medium-sized Atlanta businesses that benefit more from a dedicated relationship than from the automated systems of large forwarders. MBM International’s Empire Boulevard location serves the South Atlanta industrial corridor near Hartsfield-Jackson, positioning it effectively for the airport freight operations and manufacturing customers that define this part of the metro market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between a freight forwarder and a customs broker in Atlanta?
A: A freight forwarder arranges the physical transportation of goods on behalf of shippers, coordinating carriers, documentation, and logistics across international supply chains. A customs broker is a federally licensed professional who acts as the shipper’s agent in submitting import and export documentation to US Customs and Border Protection. Many Atlanta freight forwarding companies maintain licensed customs brokers in-house, providing both services under one relationship. For Atlanta businesses with both transportation and customs compliance needs, working with a combined forwarder-broker simplifies coordination and accountability across the full import or export transaction.
Q: What does freight forwarding cost for Atlanta companies?
A: Freight forwarding fees in Atlanta vary significantly by shipment mode, origin/destination, commodity, and urgency. Air freight forwarding for a 100-kilogram commercial shipment between Atlanta and a major Asian trade hub runs $3 to $8 per kilogram in transport charges plus forwarder service fees of $100 to $300. Ocean LCL (less-than-container-load) freight from Atlanta to major ports via Savannah runs $1,500 to $5,000 per cubic meter equivalent plus customs and port fees. Full container loads run $3,000 to $10,000 depending on origin, destination, and current market rates. Customs brokerage fees run $100 to $400 per import entry depending on complexity.
Q: How does Atlanta’s airport affect freight forwarding options?
A: Hartsfield-Jackson’s position as one of the world’s busiest passenger airports creates extensive belly cargo capacity on outbound flights across hundreds of daily departures, giving Atlanta freight forwarders access to competitive air freight rates across major international routes. The airport’s dedicated cargo facility, served by freight forwarders and cargo carriers with direct Atlanta ramp access, handles both express and standard air freight efficiently. For time-sensitive export shipments requiring air transport, Atlanta’s flight frequency to major global hubs generally provides faster transit options than smaller Southeast airports that require connecting flights to access international routes.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s freight forwarding market gives international traders access to strong expertise through Atlanta Customs Brokers’ customs regulatory depth and multilingual team, JAS Worldwide’s 40-year international forwarding track record near Hartsfield-Jackson, and MBM International Logistics’ custom-tailored export department partnership model. Each of these companies brings genuine Atlanta market knowledge and global logistics capability to the region’s import and export community. Contact them directly to discuss your specific trade lanes, commodity requirements, and the compliance and service standards your international shipments require.