How do I verify a freight broker in California?
Match the legal entity and MC number to FMCSA Licensing and Insurance. Confirm active broker-of-property authority. A website and a Southern California address are not authority.
What to compare across Freight Brokers in California
Carrier and mode coverage
Cargo and equipment fit
Load matching capabilities
MC identifiers when supplied
Provider counts by service
As of , this directory lists the following active profiles marked verified:
- 14 freight forwarders
- 14 3PL providers
- 10 customs brokers
- 7 NVOCC / ocean operators
- 6 freight brokers
- 6 trucking companies
- 2 last-mile providers
Ports, airports, and corridors this page covers
- Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach
- Port of Oakland and Northern California air cargo
- I-5, I-10, and I-710 freight corridors
- Los Angeles, Long Beach, Irvine, Anaheim, and Inland Empire dispatch rings
Local selection rules
California brokerage is a port, produce, and metro-constraint market. Los Angeles–Long Beach, Oakland, and I-5 / I-10 coverage are not the same desk.
- Confirm whether the desk covers San Pedro Bay drayage, highway produce, or Northern California separately.
- Match the legal name and MC number to current FMCSA authority and bond status.
- Ask about chassis, terminal appointments, and I-710 or port congestion assumptions.
- Require the same cargo, temperature, and appointment facts on every quote.
- Check whether the broker is also a forwarder or 3PL and which identity applies to your tender.
- Do not treat an Irvine or Anaheim desk as a substitute for an Oakland or Central Valley specialty unless the profile documents it.
When to use a broker, a carrier, or a 3PL in California
In California the expensive mistake is sending port freight to a highway desk, or warehouse freight to a broker.
| When this is the job | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Port drayage, produce, or irregular California highway capacity | Freight broker | You need a licensed desk that currently covers that specialty. |
| A dedicated Southern or Northern California lane | Carrier | Direct authority and equipment beat another party in a capacity-tight market. |
| Import deconsolidation or fulfillment near the ports | 3PL | The constraint is the building, free time, and outbound cutoff. |
Questions this page can answer
Are Los Angeles and Long Beach the same brokerage market?
They share the San Pedro Bay complex, but terminal coverage, chassis, and delivery radius still differ. Ask which terminals and ZIP codes the desk actually serves.
When should a California shipper use a 3PL instead of a broker?
When the freight still has to be stored, picked, or held through free time. Brokers arrange the move after the freight is ready.
What identifier should I check first on a California broker profile?
Match the legal name and MC number to current FMCSA Licensing and Insurance. If the same company also forwards or files entries, confirm the FMC or CBP identity separately.
Compare documented Freight Brokers capabilities in California
Use the profiles below to compare location, transport modes, specialties, identifiers, and record freshness. Open a profile for complete documented details.
| Provider | Base | Transport modes | Documented capabilities | MC | DOT | FMC | CBP | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen Lund Company | Anaheim, CA | Truck Ftl, Truck Ltl | Temperature-Controlled Freight, Produce Transportation, Agricultural Logistics | 163523 | 2212129 | — | — | Aug 13, 2026 |
| Ascent Global Logistics | Playa Vista, CA | Truck Ftl, Truck Ltl, Ocean +1 | Multimodal Solutions, International Freight, Project Cargo | 151258 | 190799 | — | — | Aug 13, 2026 |
| C.H. Robinson - Long Beach | Long Beach, CA | Truck Ftl, Truck Ltl, Intermodal | Freight Brokerage, Los Angeles And Long Beach Office, Multimodal Coverage | 384859 | 2226453 | — | — | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Coyote Logistics | Milpitas, CA | Truck Ftl, Truck Ltl, Intermodal | Cross-Border Mexico, Technology Platform, Supply Chain Solutions | 567123 | 567123 | — | — | Aug 13, 2026 |
| GlobalTranz | Irvine, CA | Truck Ftl, Truck Ltl, Intermodal +2 | Technology-Enabled Brokerage, Multimodal Solutions, Supply Chain Visibility | 890123 | 890123 | — | — | Aug 13, 2026 |
| Mode Transportation | Irvine, CA | Truck Ftl, Truck Ltl, Intermodal +1 | Project Cargo, Heavy Haul, Specialized Transport | 223021 | 2214647 | — | — | Aug 13, 2026 |
Editorial profiles are shown alphabetically. Paid placements appear separately and are labeled. This table does not assign ratings or declare a best provider.
Freight Brokers profiles in California
Specialties: Temperature-Controlled FreightProduce TransportationAgricultural Logistics
Transport Modes: TRUCK FTLTRUCK LTL
California-based freight broker specializing in temperature-controlled transportation and agricultural products with strong produce industry expertise...
Specialties: Multimodal SolutionsInternational FreightProject Cargo
Transport Modes: TRUCK FTLTRUCK LTLOCEAN
Los Angeles-based freight broker providing multimodal transportation solutions with international freight and project cargo expertise....
Specialties: Freight brokerageLos Angeles and Long Beach officeMultimodal coverage
Transport Modes: TRUCK FTLTRUCK LTLINTERMODAL
Long Beach surface-transportation office of C.H. Robinson, operating under active FMCSA property-broker authority USDOT 2226453 and MC 384859....
Specialties: Cross-Border MexicoTechnology PlatformSupply Chain Solutions
Transport Modes: TRUCK FTLTRUCK LTLINTERMODAL
UPS-owned freight broker providing comprehensive truckload services with strong cross-border capabilities and advanced technology platform....
Specialties: Technology-Enabled BrokerageMultimodal SolutionsSupply Chain Visibility
Transport Modes: TRUCK FTLTRUCK LTLINTERMODAL
Technology-focused freight broker providing multimodal transportation solutions with comprehensive supply chain visibility and managed services....
Specialties: Project CargoHeavy HaulSpecialized Transport
Transport Modes: TRUCK FTLTRUCK LTLINTERMODAL
Irvine-based freight broker specializing in project cargo, heavy haul, and oversized transportation with specialized equipment expertise....
Compare 6 active Freight Brokers profiles in California. Review documented locations, transport modes, specialties, identifiers, and record freshness before contacting a provider for shipment-specific availability and pricing.
Compare Freight Brokers Capabilities in California
Compare freight-broker profiles in California by active broker authority, lane and equipment fit, documented specialties, tracking capabilities, and record freshness.
Capabilities to confirm
- Property-broker authority and current regulatory identifiers
- Carrier sourcing for required lanes and equipment
- Spot, contract, and shipment-specific capacity coordination
- Pickup, delivery, and appointment coordination
- Carrier authority, insurance, and safety-status checks
- Shipment tracking and exception communication
- Accessorial, detention, and claims documentation
- Port, drayage, or cross-border coordination when documented
Industry experience to ask about
Profiles may document experience in the following industries. Confirm the provider's current fit for your cargo and compliance requirements:
- Manufacturing — ask for relevant handling, compliance, and reference evidence
- Retail — ask for relevant handling, compliance, and reference evidence
- Food & Beverage — ask for relevant handling, compliance, and reference evidence
- Construction — ask for relevant handling, compliance, and reference evidence
- Automotive — ask for relevant handling, compliance, and reference evidence
- Import/Export — ask for relevant handling, compliance, and reference evidence
Technology fields to verify
Provider profiles may document these capabilities; confirm integrations and access before selection:
- Transportation management systems
- Electronic documentation
- Shipment tracking portals
- EDI or API integrations
- Carrier-capacity networks
Why Choose California for Your Logistics Needs
- Prime Pacific trade gateway
- Massive consumer market
- Advanced logistics infrastructure
- Tech innovation hub
Evidence to check before selecting Freight Brokers
Use profile fields as a starting point, then confirm time-sensitive requirements directly:
- Current operating authority and regulatory identifiers
- Insurance, safety status, and cargo-specific compliance
- Service area, equipment, capacity, and appointment availability
- Complete pricing, accessorials, transit commitments, and claims terms
- Tracking, EDI, API, or booking capabilities when required
Cost Factors for Freight Brokers in California
Understanding pricing for Freight Brokers in California helps you budget effectively:
Regional Pricing Considerations
- Labor Costs: California logistics labor rates vary by region and skill level
- Fuel Surcharges: Ask how the provider calculates and updates fuel-related charges
- Seasonal Demand: Peak seasons may affect availability and pricing
- Distance & Routes: Major corridors offer more competitive rates
- Port Proximity: Access to Port of Los Angeles can reduce drayage costs
Request comparable quotes
Provide each shortlisted provider the same shipment facts so quotes can be compared on the same basis:
- Origin, destination, dates, dimensions, weight, commodity, and declared value
- Equipment, handling, appointment, accessorial, and compliance requirements
- Base charge, fuel, minimums, storage, detention, and other accessorial fees
- Transit or service commitments, exceptions, insurance, and claims terms
Freight Brokers Coverage Areas in California
Major Service Areas
Use these city pages to review providers based in California's key markets:
- Los Angeles: review local profiles and confirm the required service radius
- San Francisco: review local profiles and confirm the required service radius
- San Diego: review local profiles and confirm the required service radius
- Sacramento: review local profiles and confirm the required service radius
- Fresno: review local profiles and confirm the required service radius
Coverage and timing to confirm
- Origin and destination: confirm exact ZIP-code, port, airport, or facility coverage
- Transit or service window: obtain a shipment-specific commitment
- Equipment and handling: confirm availability for the required dates
- Interstate or international authority: check the appropriate regulator when applicable
Strategic Infrastructure Access
Ask shortlisted providers whether they currently serve the relevant transportation hub:
- Port of Los Angeles
- Port of Long Beach
- Port of Oakland
- LAX
- SFO
Frequently Asked Questions About Freight Brokers in California
How do I verify a freight broker in California?
Match the legal entity and MC number to FMCSA Licensing and Insurance. Confirm active broker-of-property authority. A website and a Southern California address are not authority.
Are Los Angeles and Long Beach the same brokerage market?
They share the San Pedro Bay complex, but terminal coverage, chassis, and delivery radius still differ. Ask which terminals and ZIP codes the desk actually serves.
When should a California shipper use a 3PL instead of a broker?
When the freight still has to be stored, picked, or held through free time. Brokers arrange the move after the freight is ready.
What identifier should I check first on a California broker profile?
Match the legal name and MC number to current FMCSA Licensing and Insurance. If the same company also forwards or files entries, confirm the FMC or CBP identity separately.
Need Help Finding Freight Brokers in California?
Our directory makes it easy to connect with verified logistics professionals.