Choosing the right freight forwarder in Australia can affect shipping costs, delivery times, customs clearance, and supply chain reliability. For businesses importing products or exporting goods, the right provider should offer the route coverage, cargo-handling expertise, and shipment visibility their operations require.
However, not every freight forwarding company is suited to every business. Some specialise in extensive international networks, while others combine freight forwarding with domestic transport, warehousing, and distribution.
This guide compares five established freight forwarding companies in Australia, outlines their strengths, and explains how to choose a provider that fits your business.
TL;DR
- DHL Global Forwarding: Consider for international freight and broad global network coverage.
- DSV: Offers air and sea freight alongside customs and logistics services.
- Kuehne+Nagel: Provides multimodal freight and international supply chain services.
- Toll Group: Combines freight forwarding with domestic transport and contract logistics.
- Mainfreight: Connects international freight with domestic transport and warehousing.
- The best choice depends on your trade routes, cargo requirements, total costs, and tracking needs.
In This Article
- What does a freight forwarder do?
- Five freight forwarding companies in Australia
- Company comparison
- How to choose a freight forwarder
- Questions to ask before signing an agreement
- Frequently asked questions
What Does a Freight Forwarder Do?
A freight forwarder coordinates the movement of goods between locations, working with shipping lines, airlines, road carriers, customs brokers, and warehouse operators as required.
Services may include air and sea freight bookings, cargo consolidation, transport documentation, customs coordination, shipment tracking, and delivery arrangements. The exact scope depends on the provider and the agreement.
For Australian businesses trading internationally, a freight forwarder can simplify the movement of goods across multiple transport providers. However, businesses should confirm who is responsible for customs declarations, applicable duties, biosecurity requirements, insurance, and final delivery.
Technology also plays an increasingly important role in freight forwarding. Digital systems can bring quotes, bookings, documents, carrier communication, and shipment updates into a more connected workflow. For example, freight forwarding software can help freight forwarders manage these activities without relying entirely on spreadsheets, email threads, and separate carrier portals.
Five Best Freight Forwarding Companies in Australia
The following companies are established providers with different service portfolios. They are compared by their publicly described offerings rather than presented as a definitive ranking based on independently verified performance.
1. DHL Global Forwarding: For International Freight Networks
DHL Global Forwarding provides international air, ocean, and overland freight services, along with customs-related services and digital shipment management tools.
Its myDHLi platform allows customers to access shipment information, track cargo, manage documents, and obtain quotes. These capabilities may be useful for businesses coordinating shipments across several countries or trade lanes.
Key strengths
- International air and ocean freight services
- Digital shipment visibility and documentation
- Broad international logistics network
Best suited to: Businesses with regular international shipping requirements that value global coverage and digital shipment management.
What to check: Compare route-specific transit times, destination charges, customs support, and the full cost of the proposed service.
Company website: DHL Global Forwarding Australia
2. DSV: For Air and Sea Freight
DSV provides air and sea freight services, customs clearance, project transport, and wider logistics solutions in Australia.
Its service portfolio may suit businesses that need international freight alongside specialist transport or other supply chain services. As with any provider, the available options will depend on the shipment’s origin, destination, cargo type, and required delivery schedule.
Key strengths
- Air and sea freight
- Customs clearance and related logistics services
- Options for specialist transport requirements
Best suited to: Businesses seeking international freight services with access to additional logistics capabilities.
What to check: Ask about service frequency on your routes, handling requirements, shipment consolidation, and the availability of support at origin and destination.
Company website: DSV Australia
3. Kuehne+Nagel: For Multimodal Logistics
Kuehne+Nagel offers air, sea, and road transport services, alongside customs clearance and supply chain solutions.
Businesses moving goods across multiple transport modes may find its service range relevant when coordinating international shipments. Digital tools can also help customers manage bookings and access shipment information.
Key strengths
- Air, sea, and road freight services
- Customs and supply chain support
- Digital tools for shipment management
Best suited to: Businesses with international shipping needs that involve different transport modes or more complex supply chains.
What to check: Evaluate experience with your cargo category, route coverage, tracking capabilities, and the services included in the quotation.
Company website: Kuehne+Nagel Australia
4. Toll Group: For Integrated Freight and Supply Chain Services
Toll Group offers freight forwarding, road transport, intermodal services, and contract logistics. Its broader portfolio can be relevant to businesses that need international freight to connect with domestic transport, warehousing, or distribution.
For example, an importer may need goods moved from an overseas supplier to an Australian port, then transported to a warehouse before being distributed to customers. The extent to which a single provider can coordinate these stages should be confirmed during the quotation process.
Key strengths
- International freight forwarding
- Domestic and intermodal transport
- Contract logistics and supply chain services
Best suited to: Businesses looking to coordinate freight forwarding with domestic transport or broader logistics operations.
What to check: Clarify which stages are managed directly, which involve partners, and whether warehousing and final delivery are included.
Company website: Toll Group Australia
5. Mainfreight: For International Freight and Domestic Distribution
Mainfreight provides international air and ocean freight alongside domestic transport and warehousing services.
This combination may be useful for businesses that need international cargo movements connected to local distribution. The right solution will depend on the routes involved, the shipment size, and the level of coordination required between freight and warehousing operations.
Key strengths
- International air and ocean freight
- Domestic transport
- Warehousing and distribution services
Best suited to: Businesses that need international freight connected with domestic logistics.
What to check: Ask about route coverage, consolidation options, delivery locations, and how international shipments connect with domestic transport services.
Company website: Mainfreight Australia
Freight Forwarding Companies in Australia: Comparison
| Company | Main services | Potential fit |
|---|---|---|
| DHL Global Forwarding | Air, ocean, and overland freight | International shipping across multiple trade lanes |
| DSV | Air and sea freight, customs clearance | International freight with additional logistics requirements |
| Kuehne+Nagel | Air, sea, road, and supply chain services | Multimodal international shipments |
| Toll Group | Freight forwarding, domestic transport, contract logistics | Integrated freight and distribution |
| Mainfreight | International freight, domestic transport, warehousing | International shipments linked to local distribution |
This comparison reflects the companies’ publicly described services, not independently verified rankings of service quality. Availability, pricing, and transit times should be confirmed directly for your shipment.
How to Choose a Freight Forwarder in Australia
1. Check Route and Industry Experience
Start by identifying the countries you ship between and the type of cargo you move. A provider’s international presence does not guarantee that it offers the most suitable service on every route.
Ask about transit-time estimates, shipment frequency, cargo restrictions, consolidation options, and how delays are handled. If you ship specialised goods, check whether the provider has relevant handling experience.
2. Compare Total Shipping Costs
When comparing freight forwarding companies in Australia, look beyond the headline freight rate. The total cost may include origin handling, international freight, destination charges, customs-related services, storage, and final delivery.
Request an itemised quotation and clarify which charges are variable. This makes it easier to compare providers on a like-for-like basis and reduces the risk of unexpected costs.
3. Confirm Customs and Biosecurity Support
Imports into Australia may be subject to customs declarations, duties, taxes, permits, and biosecurity requirements, depending on the goods.
Ask whether customs brokerage is included, provided through a partner, or charged separately. Confirm who prepares the necessary documentation and which obligations remain with your business. Official guidance from the Australian Border Force can help you understand the import process.
4. Evaluate Tracking and Communication
Shipment visibility helps businesses manage inventory, anticipate delays, and keep customers informed. Before selecting a provider, ask how shipment milestones are reported, how frequently tracking information updates, and whether you receive alerts when a shipment is delayed.
For companies handling high shipment volumes, centralised shipment tracking can make it easier to monitor movements across different carriers rather than switching between separate tracking portals.
5. Consider Technology and Integration
Freight forwarding often involves coordinating information between customers, carriers, customs brokers, warehouses, and internal teams. When these processes depend on manual data entry and disconnected systems, obtaining updates and managing documentation can become time-consuming.
Ask whether the provider’s systems integrate with your existing order, inventory, or enterprise resource planning software. Freight forwarders themselves may also benefit from digital tools that connect quoting, bookings, documents, carrier communication, and shipment milestones.
For businesses managing transport beyond the international freight leg, a transportation management system can support transport planning, execution, carrier coordination, and shipment visibility. It complements freight forwarding rather than replacing the forwarder’s physical transport and coordination services.
6. Match the Service to Your Business Size
A small importer shipping occasionally may have different needs from a large company managing regular container movements across several countries.
Consider minimum charges, booking flexibility, customer support, shipment volume, and the ability to scale. The best provider is not necessarily the largest; it is the one whose services and operating model fit your actual requirements.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Freight Forwarder
Before signing an agreement, ask shortlisted providers:
- Which charges are included in the quotation, and which are billed separately?
- What transit times can you reasonably expect for the route?
- Who coordinates customs clearance and required documentation?
- How can you track shipments and receive delay notifications?
- How are damaged cargo, delays, and claims handled?
- Can the provider accommodate changes in shipment volume?
- Are cargo insurance, warehousing, and final delivery included or available separately?
Requesting comparable answers helps you assess both service suitability and total cost.
Conclusion
The best freight forwarder in Australia depends on your routes, cargo, budget, and supply chain requirements. DHL Global Forwarding, DSV, Kuehne+Nagel, Toll Group, and Mainfreight offer different combinations of international freight and wider logistics services.
Compare itemised quotations, customs support, tracking capabilities, route experience, and communication before making a decision. If your business also needs to improve the digital management of freight bookings, documentation, and shipment visibility, the right freight forwarding platform may help connect these operational workflows.