# Flexport

> Global Freight Platform · San Francisco, CA · Founded 2013

**Canonical URL:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/flexport/
**Markdown source:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/flexport/index.md
**Last updated:** 2026-04-27

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## Key facts

- Founded 2013 · headquartered in San Francisco, CA
- Privately held
- Gross revenue: $0.38B per Transport Topics 2024
- Primary freight modes: Dry Van, LTL, Air/Expedited

## About

Flexport is a San Francisco-based global freight platform founded in 2013 by Ryan Petersen. The company generated approximately $380 million in gross domestic brokerage revenue in 2024 and offers one of the broadest multi-modal freight programs in the industry — spanning ocean, air, domestic truckload, LTL, intermodal, customs brokerage, and warehousing under a single platform. Flexport's core customer base is importers and exporters in tech, retail, and e-commerce who need end-to-end international supply chain management alongside domestic fulfillment.

Flexport's technology platform is a genuine differentiator: built as a data and visibility layer across all modes, it gives shippers a single dashboard for purchase order management, container tracking, document handling, and customs workflows. The company holds a customs broker license and a freight forwarder license in addition to its domestic broker authority, making it one of the few US freight intermediaries that can manage a shipment from a factory in Asia to a distribution center in the Midwest without handing off to a third party.

For domestic-only shippers, Flexport is worth evaluating primarily if you have or anticipate international freight volume — the domestic FTL and LTL offering is competitive but not as deep as pure-play domestic brokers like C.H. Robinson or Echo Global on US-only lanes. The strongest fit is an importer or omnichannel retailer who wants a single partner and platform for international + domestic freight and is willing to pay a modest premium for that integration.

## Load types

| Mode | Status |
|---|---|
| Dry Van TL | ● Primary |
| Refrigerated | Limited |
| LTL | ● Primary |
| Intermodal | ✓ Active |
| Flatbed | Not offered |
| Air / Expedited | ● Primary |
| Bulk / Tank | Not offered |
| Parcel | Not offered |

Source: Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerages, 2024

## FMCSA & Licensing

FMCSA MC# and DOT# not confirmed for Flexport, Inc. Verify current broker authority status at li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov by searching the legal entity name before tendering a load.

## Coverage

All 48 contiguous states · International air & ocean · Cross-border Mexico & Canada

**Strongest lanes:**

- West Coast import corridors
- Trans-Pacific (Asia to US)
- US-Mexico
- Transatlantic

## Pros & Cons

**What shippers like:**

- True end-to-end platform spanning ocean, air, domestic TL/LTL, customs, and warehousing
- Software platform provides best-in-class supply chain visibility across all modes in one dashboard
- Customs brokerage license enables a seamless international import/export workflow
- Strong cross-border Mexico and Canada coverage alongside international modes
- Well-funded with a strong technology investment trajectory and mobile app support

**Common complaints:**

- Domestic-only shippers may find Flexport's pricing and complexity higher than pure-play domestic brokers
- No flatbed or heavy haul capability — not suitable for oversized industrial freight
- Reefer and refrigerated truckload is limited compared to reefer-specialist brokers
- International freight focus means domestic account teams may be less specialized than dedicated domestic brokers
- Pricing and service model can be opaque for shippers not used to integrated freight forwarder billing

## FAQ

### Is Flexport licensed as a freight broker and customs broker?

Flexport, Inc. holds domestic freight broker authority and a licensed customs broker certification (FMC-licensed ocean freight forwarder). FMCSA MC# and DOT# are not confirmed in this profile — verify current broker authority status at li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov by searching 'Flexport' before tendering a domestic load. All licensed brokers carry a $75,000 BMC-84 surety bond.

### What types of freight does Flexport handle?

Flexport handles a broad range of modes: ocean freight (FCL and LCL), international air freight, domestic FTL dry van, LTL, and intermodal. Flatbed and refrigerated truckload are limited or not available. Flexport is particularly strong for importers and exporters who need seamless international-to-domestic freight management.

### How do Flexport's domestic freight rates compare to other brokers?

Flexport's domestic FTL and LTL rates are competitive but the platform is optimized for integrated international + domestic freight programs. For domestic-only freight, compare Flexport's quote on ShipperGuide against 50+ brokers instantly — you may find a more cost-effective domestic specialist for US-only lanes.

## Best for

Importers and omnichannel retailers who need a single platform to manage international ocean/air freight and US domestic trucking and LTL together.

## Compare alternatives

- [Echo Global Logistics](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/echo-global-logistics/) — 50,000+ carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico (EchoX…
- [C.H. Robinson Worldwide](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/ch-robinson-worldwide/) — 85,000+ carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 50 states · Mexico · Canada · 120+ c…
- [Loadsmart / ShipperGuide](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/loadsmart-shipperguide/) — Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico · Inte…
- [WWEX Group](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/wwex-group/) — 85,000+ FTL; 75+ LTL carriers carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico (Monte…
- [Transfix](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/transfix/) — Dry Van, Reefer, Flatbed · All 48 contiguous states

## Sources

- Revenue and ranking: Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerages (annual list)
- FMCSA licensing: li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov — broker authority status verified at publication where possible
- Reviews: G2, Trustpilot, Google Business — shipper reviews only
- Listing assembled from public records. Brokers can claim/update via directory@shipperguide.com