Approved Freight
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersCity Of Industry, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Approved Freight firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Approved Freight
- Legal name
- Approved Freight Forwarders
- Website
- https://approvedforwarders.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Approved Freight industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Freight Forwarding and Logistics Services
- NAICS
- Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885)
- SIC
- Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ocean Import Forwarding (Destination Handling/DO/ISF) (TLACABAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ocean Export Forwarding (Booking/VGM/SI/BL) (TLACABAF), Customs Brokerage for Ocean Shipments (Import/Export Clearance) (TLACABAG), Air–Ocean Multimodal Forwarding (TLACAEAA)
Keywords
Where Approved Freight is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- City Of Industry
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices12 records
Markets served
Approved Freight business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Freight Forwarding Services: Core revenue stream from ocean freight (LCL and FCL) and air freight forwarding services to Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Caribbean, and international destinations. Pricing based on shipment weight, dimensions, mode, and destination.
- Third-Party Logistics (3PL) and Warehousing: Warehousing and distribution services from 110,000 sq ft facility in City of Industry, CA. Includes storage, pick & pack, kitting, fulfillment, and inventory management. Scalable solutions from few pallets to full-facility commitments.
- Cross-Docking and Transloading: Cross-docking services keeping freight moving with minimal storage and transloading services for cargo transfer between transport modes. Revenue generated per shipment handled.
- Air Freight Services: Licensed indirect air carrier providing multiple service levels from air charter to consolidated air freight. Pricing based on actual or dimensional weight, whichever is greater, plus flat $20 handling fee.
- Transportation Management: Transportation management services including carrier selection optimization, inventory management strategies, and supply chain analysis. Revenue generated through managed service fees.
- Trucking Services: Full truckload (FTL), less-than-truckload (LTL), and drayage services. Revenue from trucking capacity arrangements and port drayage services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Air Charter - Fastest option for oversized or urgent cargo |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Part Charter - Priority space on scheduled flight |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | First Flight Out - Next available routing |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Express Air Freight - Fastest available sequence of flights |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Air Freight - Reliable scheduled service |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Deferred Air Freight - Lower-cost option |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Consolidated Air Freight - Lowest-cost air option |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Approved Freight product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Approved Freight Forwarders is an asset-based freight forwarder and third-party logistics (3PL) provider specializing in Jones Act locations—Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Alaska—as well as international destinations. The company owns and operates terminals, warehouses, and trucking fleets in seven locations, offering ocean freight (FCL/LCL), air freight (multiple service tiers), trucking (FTL/LTL/drayage), warehousing and distribution, cross-docking, transloading, and transportation management. End-to-end supply chain solutions are delivered from a single provider with proactive communication from quote through final delivery.
Product overview
Approved Freight Forwarders is a freight forwarding and third-party logistics (3PL) company offering a comprehensive suite of logistics services. The portfolio consists of core freight forwarding services (Ocean Freight, Air Freight, International Freight), ground transportation (Trucking), value-added logistics (Warehousing & Distribution, Consolidated Freight, Transloading, Cross-Docking), and specialized route services (Hawaii Freight, Guam Freight, Puerto Rico Freight, Caribbean Shipping, Transportation Management). All services are backed by owned terminals and assets in Jones Act locations (Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, Alaska) and operated through a network of terminals across the US West Coast, enabling end-to-end supply chain solutions from pickup through final delivery.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Approved: Primary operating brand for freight forwarding and logistics services to Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, Alaska, and international destinations.
Products and services
- Ocean Freight Services Complete door-to-door ocean freight services including Full Container Load (FCL) and Less-than-Container Load (LCL) shipping to Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and international destinations. Targets businesses requiring reliable scheduled ocean transport to Jones Act locations.
- Air Freight Services Licensed international air freight forwarding (IATA accredited indirect air carrier) with multiple service tiers including Air Charter, Part Charter, First Flight Out, Express, Standard, Deferred, and Consolidated options. Targets businesses requiring time-sensitive shipping to Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and global destinations.
- Warehousing & Distribution
Quantifiable outcome
- Transit times: 5 days to Oahu, 7 days to Maui/Kona/Kauai, 7-9 days to Hawaii neighbor islands from California
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Approved Freight
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments15 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Approved Freight technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Approved Freight partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- EPA SmartWay Transport PartnershipminorSmartWay certified partner helping customers reduce emissions while maintaining service and efficiency. Partnership demonstrates environmental commitment and sustainability focus.
- DeWitt Companies (Parent Organization)coreDeWitt Companies is the parent organization. Approved Freight Forwarders is part of The DeWitt Companies alongside Royal Hawaiian Movers, Royal Alaskan Movers, DeWitt Guam, and Approved Trucking. These sister companies operate with shared branding and integrated logistics services.
- DeWitt GuamcoreTamuning-based sister company providing full suite of freight and logistics services on Guam. Operates Container Freight Station (CFS), terminal, secure warehouse, and dedicated fleet. DeWitt Guam enables expedited customs clearance and on-island deliveries including assembly and installation services.
- Royal Hawaiian MoverscoreSister company providing delivery services in Hawaii. Partnered for Hawaii delivery operations ensuring seamless last-mile delivery and installation services across Hawaiian Islands.
- Royal Alaskan MoverscoreSister company partnership for Alaska operations. Alaska-based team at Anchorage office and terminal handles deliveries throughout the state, working with various ocean freight, trucking, and specialty partners for remote destinations.
- Approved TruckingcoreSister company under DeWitt Companies umbrella providing trucking services integrated with freight forwarding operations.
- World Cargo Alliance (WCA)minorGlobal network of independent freight forwarders providing worldwide coverage and partnership opportunities for international shipping needs.
- U.S. Military & Government ContractorscoreLong-standing support for U.S. military and contractors. Provides rapid support for military shipments and deliveries to Guam including on-base services. Experience operating within strict military guidelines and secure environments.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Approved Freight competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Expeditors International: Global asset-light freight forwarder with strong ocean and air forwarding capabilities. Competes for mid-market and enterprise forwarding business including shipments to Jones Act destinations, though without Approved Freight's owned island terminal footprint.
- C.H. Robinson: Major North American 3PL with ocean, air, and truck brokerage capabilities serving global shippers. Competes for Hawaii and Puerto Rico freight forwarding accounts as part of a much broader multi-modal logistics portfolio.
- Kuehne+Nagel: One of the world's largest freight forwarders with ocean, air, and overland services globally. Competes for large enterprise Jones Act and Pacific freight accounts as part of a much broader portfolio of services.
- DHL Global Forwarding: Global freight forwarder with extensive Pacific and Caribbean coverage. Serves similar enterprise shippers moving freight to Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean, but as part of a worldwide integrated logistics network.
- Yusen Logistics: Global forwarder with strong Hawaii and Pacific presence through dedicated subsidiary operations. A much larger incumbent offering similar ocean and air forwarding to Jones Act destinations but as part of a global network rather than a Jones Act specialist.
Emerging players
- Flexport: Tech-enabled digital freight forwarder offering ocean and air forwarding with proprietary platform visibility. Represents the digital-native competitive threat to traditional forwarders like Approved Freight, particularly on the ocean-leg booking layer for enterprise shippers.
Direct peers
- Pasha Hawaii: Operates roll-on/roll-off and container services between the US mainland and Hawaii. Competes with Matson and indirectly with Approved Freight for Hawaii-bound ocean freight, though Pasha focuses on vessel operations rather than full forwarding.
- Matson Navigation Company: Operates the dominant ocean liner service between the US West Coast and Hawaii, Guam, and Alaska — directly serving the same Jones Act trade lanes as Approved Freight and offering integrated logistics services. While primarily a vessel operator rather than a forwarder, Matson is the principal carrier behind much of Approved Freight's ocean capacity.
- Lynden Incorporated: Multi-modal logistics provider with deep Alaska, Hawaii, and Pacific operations including trucking, air, ocean, and warehousing. Comparable to Approved Freight in serving remote island geographies with owned assets and integrated forwarding services.
- Pacific Worldwide Inc: Freight forwarder specializing in shipping between the US mainland and Hawaii, Guam, Pacific islands, and Alaska. Directly comparable niche focus on Pacific trade lanes with similar asset-based service orientation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Approved Freight social profiles
Digital presenceApproved Freight financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Approved Freight leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Approved Freight funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Approved Freight M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Approved Freight
What does Approved Freight do?
Approved Freight Forwarders is an asset-based freight forwarder and third-party logistics (3PL) provider specializing in Jones Act locations—Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Alaska—as well as international destinations. The company owns and operates terminals, warehouses, and trucking fleets in seven locations, offering ocean freight (FCL/LCL), air freight (multiple service tiers), trucking (FTL/LTL/drayage), warehousing and distribution, cross-docking, transloading, and transportation management. End-to-end supply chain solutions are delivered from a single provider with proactive communication from quote through final delivery.
Is Approved Freight a public or private company?
Approved Freight is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Approved Freight founded?
Approved Freight was founded in 1991. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Approved Freight based?
Approved Freight is headquartered in City Of Industry, United States, in the North America region.
How does Approved Freight make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Freight Forwarding Services are the primary driver. The others are third-Party Logistics (3PL) and Warehousing, cross-Docking and Transloading, air Freight Services, transportation Management and trucking Services.
Who are Approved Freight's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Expeditors International, C.H. Robinson, Kuehne+Nagel, DHL Global Forwarding and Yusen Logistics. Flexport is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Pasha Hawaii, Matson Navigation Company, Lynden Incorporated and Pacific Worldwide Inc.
Does Approved Freight have an API?
No public API is recorded for Approved Freight.
What industry is Approved Freight in?
Approved Freight's product category is Freight Forwarding and Logistics Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLACABAE, Ocean Import Forwarding (Destination Handling/DO/ISF), with a secondary code of TLACABAF, Ocean Export Forwarding (Booking/VGM/SI/BL). Its NAICS code is 48851 and its SIC code is 4731.