Transmodal

What Transmodal does

Transmodal is a privately held, licensed international freight forwarder and customs broker that designs, builds, and operates end-to-end import supply chains on behalf of importers in North America, South America, and Asia. Founded in 1967 in Massachusetts and now headquartered in Ramsey, New Jersey under CEO Max Kantzer (owner since 1999), the company serves a mix of SMEs, Fortune 500 corporations, and U.S. government agencies across verticals including consumer products, food and agriculture, healthcare, industrial goods, automotive, electronics, fashion, and toys. Its service portfolio spans ocean freight (FCL/LCL), airfreight, customs brokerage and compliance, cargo insurance, factory-side origin logistics, and U.S. landside transportation and warehousing — enabled by multiple federal licenses (FMC OTI/NVOCC, DOT Motor Carrier, CBP Customs Broker, C-TPAT, IATA).

The company's technology layer is centered on the proprietary T360 platform, which provides real-time shipment visibility, track-and-trace, and data integration with major ocean carriers, airlines, ports, rails, and U.S. Customs & Border Protection and Partner Government Agencies (FDA, FCC, Fish & Wildlife). An add-on T360 Sustainability module delivers GLEC-accredited, ISO-compliant CO2 emissions calculations, automated reporting, and carbon offset management. Transmodal's distribution and global reach are built around its membership in the MarcoPoloLine Group since 2006, which provides access to 300+ offices across 57 countries, supplemented by owned regional offices in New Jersey, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Peru, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Xiamen, and a network of 400+ U.S. trucking partners.

Transmodal makes money primarily through transaction-fee-based freight forwarding (ocean and air rates, surcharges, terminal handling charges) and professional-service fees for customs brokerage, cargo insurance (commission-based, backed by Lloyd's, AIG, and Cigna), and factory-side logistics services. All services are priced via custom quote rather than published rate cards, and the go-to-market is a sales-led, enterprise field-sales motion with dedicated account managers — a model reinforced by decades-long client relationships (multiple customers cite 20+ year tenures). Marketing is concentrated in content (blog, website, testimonials) and the MarcoPoloLine Group referral channel, with sustainability positioning via a Carbonfund.org Foundation partnership since 2021.

Name

Transmodal

Legal name

Transmodal Corporation

Website

https://transmodal.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Transmodal is a privately held, licensed U.S. freight forwarder and customs broker that designs and operates international import supply chains — ocean, air, customs, warehousing, and insurance — for SMEs, Fortune 500 firms, and government agencies across the Americas and Asia, supported by its proprietary T360 visibility and sustainability platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Freight Forwarding and Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Marine Cargo Handling (488320)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Trucking (No Local) (4213), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Deep Sea Foreign Transportation Of Freight (4412)

akta.pro primary industry

Ocean Import Forwarding (Destination Handling/DO/ISF) (TLACABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Trade Compliance & Ocean Regulatory Services (Sanctions/Export Controls) (TLACABAL), Cross-Border Trucking & Border Transfer (Linehaul, Transloading) (TLACACAC), Rail-Truck Transload Terminals (Inland) (TLALAFAJ)

Keywords

• International freight forwarding
• Customs brokerage services
• Ocean freight logistics
• Airfreight services
• Supply chain management

Headquarters

HQ city

Ramsey

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ocean Freight Services: Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL) ocean freight forwarding services. Revenue generated through freight rates, surcharges (BAF, GRI, PSS, etc.), and associated handling fees.
2. Airfreight Services: Global air freight solutions including airport-to-airport, airport-to-door, business-to-business, and business-to-consumer services. Revenue from air freight rates and terminal handling charges.
3. Customs Brokerage Services: Licensed customs brokerage and compliance services including entry filing, HTS classification, import bonds, and duty management. Revenue from brokerage fees and duty disbursement fees.
4. U.S. Landside Services: Domestic trucking and warehousing services including drayage, LTL, FTL, warehousing, distribution, transloading, eCommerce fulfillment. Revenue from transportation and storage fees.
5. Factory Side Logistics: Origin-side logistics including purchase order management, consolidations, cargo inspections, and labeling services. Revenue from service fees at origin.
6. Cargo Insurance: Cargo insurance services providing coverage for damage, total loss, theft, and General Average. Commission-based revenue from insurance policies backed by Lloyd's, AIG, and Cigna.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Transmodal is a licensed international freight forwarder and customs broker providing end-to-end supply chain solutions including ocean freight (FCL/LCL), airfreight, customs brokerage and compliance, cargo insurance, factory-side logistics, and U.S. landside trucking and warehousing services. The company supports importers across North America, South America, and Asia with technology-enabled shipment visibility through its proprietary T360 platform.

Product overview

Transmodal is a licensed international freight forwarder and customs broker offering a portfolio of logistics services (ocean freight, airfreight, customs brokerage, cargo insurance, factory-side logistics, and U.S. landside services) supported by its proprietary T360 technology platform. The T360 platform includes a core shipment visibility and tracking module plus an add-on T360 Sustainability module for supply-chain emissions measurement and reporting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ocean Freight International ocean freight forwarding services for Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL) shipments, including port-to-port, port-to-door, temperature-controlled, and specialized equipment options. Designed for importers and exporters moving goods internationally.
• Airfreight Global air cargo transportation services for time-sensitive shipments, offering consolidations, charter services, and direct airport-to-airport or airport-to-door delivery options. Targeted at businesses needing fast international shipping.
• Customs Brokerage and Compliance Licensed customs brokerage services including customs entry filing, HTS code classification, import bonds, duty management, and C-TPAT certification assistance. Serves importers navigating U.S. and international customs regulations.
• Cargo Insurance

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 25 years of proven track record providing wide range of global logistics services
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.

• Carbonfund.org FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Transmodal is a proud partner of the Carbonfund.org Foundation. This initiative helps clients offset supply chain carbon emissions and reduce their climate impact. The partnership enables customers to purchase carbon offsets and supports Transmodal's environmental commitment.
• MarcoPoloLine GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Transmodal is part of the MarcoPoloLine Group since 2006, providing access to a global network spanning over 300 offices in 57 countries. This partnership provides the foundation for Transmodal's international service delivery and local expertise in key markets including Asia, Americas, Europe, Africa, and Middle East.
• U.S. Federal Maritime CommissioncoreOthersOcean Transportation Intermediary and Freight Forwarder License from U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. Also holds NVOCC License from FMC.
• U.S. Department of TransportationcoreOthersMotor Carriers License from U.S. Department of Transportation. Licensed as a Motor Carrier since 2012.
• U.S. Customs & Border ProtectioncoreOthersU.S. Customs Broker License from U.S. Customs & Border Protection. Corporate customs license held since 2002.
• Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)coreOthersCTPAT Certification obtained in 2005. Voluntary program for importers that helps CBP increase security in the supply chain. Provides benefits including fewer customs exams, faster release of goods, and access to CTPAT portal.
• Cargo Network Services (CNS) / IATAcoreOthersCNS member affiliated with International Air Transport Association (IATA). Accredited IATA airfreight agent for over 25 years.
• Marco Polo Line (MPL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarco Polo Line member, part of the MarcoPoloLine Group global network providing ocean freight services.
• National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA)supportingOthersActive member of NCBFAA, the leading trade association for customs brokers and freight forwarders.
• International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA)supportingOthersActive member of ICPA, organization focused on trade compliance professional development.
• Leading AIS Tracking ProviderssupportingTechnology or IntegrationT360 Sustainability platform uses vessel and aircraft-specific inputs powered by leading AIS tracking for accurate emissions calculations.
• Lloyd's, AIG, CignasupportingOthersCargo insurance programs backed by industry leaders Lloyd's, AIG, and Cigna for comprehensive cargo coverage.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves17 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SEKO Logistics: Mid-market global freight forwarder and customs broker with comparable service breadth (ocean, air, customs, warehousing) and similar customer profile spanning SMEs to enterprise. Closely comparable in scale, service mix, and target segments to Transmodal.
• BDP International: Privately held global freight forwarder specializing in ocean/air forwarding, customs brokerage, and project logistics. Similar privately-held, mid-sized structure with comparable service portfolio and customer profile.
• Hellmann Worldwide Logistics: Global mid-sized freight forwarder offering ocean, air, road, and customs services with similar end-to-end product mix and SME-to-enterprise customer orientation. Comparable in structure as a privately held, family-influenced global forwarder.

Broad incumbents

• Expeditors International: Large publicly traded global freight forwarder with core ocean, air, and customs brokerage offerings directly comparable to Transmodal's services. A larger, established incumbent benchmark in the same product category.
• Kuehne+Nagel: One of the world's largest global freight forwarders with ocean, air, road, and contract logistics capabilities. A broad incumbent operating across the same core product categories as Transmodal at vastly greater scale.
• C.H. Robinson: Major North American freight forwarder and 3PL with NAST (North American Surface Transportation) and Global Forwarding divisions covering ocean, air, customs, and trucking. Overlaps significantly with Transmodal's landside services and U.S. import flows.
• DHL Global Forwarding: Global freight forwarding arm of Deutsche Post DHL offering ocean, air, customs, and supply chain services. A broad incumbent operating across the same product categories as Transmodal at global scale.
• CEVA Logistics: Global contract logistics and freight management provider (CMA CGM subsidiary) with ocean, air, road, and customs capabilities. A broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities to Transmodal's full-service forwarding model.

Emerging players

• Flexport: Tech-enabled digital freight forwarder offering ocean, air, and customs with a software-led platform. Competes with Transmodal for digitally inclined mid-market shippers and represents the digital-disruption threat to traditional forwarders.

Regional players

• Yusen Logistics: Japan-headquartered global logistics provider with ocean, air, and contract logistics offerings. Comparable in product mix but operates with primary strength in Asia-Pacific trade lanes that intersect heavily with Transmodal's Asia-sourcing book.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Transmodal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Transmodal