Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2016-2031)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $5.3bn in 2026.
Trends and Insights
Logistics service providers continue to emphasize investment in the supply chain
- Freight packing and logistics services companies automate processes, but high interest rates and inflation reduced consumer spending growth and manufacturing activity from 2023 through 2025. Tariff frontloading in the first and second quarters of 2025 contributed to a drop in ISM New Orders and lower Logistics Manager's Index inventory levels. While contracting at a slower rate in December 2025, ISM's manufacturing new orders index contracted for four consecutive months. This reflects reduced demand for raw materials and finished goods requiring logistics services.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2026-2031)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Digital standards increase efficiency across logistics services
- The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) ONE Record became the preferred air cargo data-sharing standard on January 1, 2026, replacing Cargo-IMP and Cargo-XML systems adopted in 1975 and 2010. According to IATA, the API-based platform enables real-time tracking, automated customs processing and multimodal integration across freight packers. Electronic air waybills eliminated paper requirements across major trade lanes.
Biggest companies in the Freight Packing & Logistics Services in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue ($m)
2026 | Profit ($m)
2026 | Profit Margin (%)
2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Deutsche Post Ag | 742.8 | 55.7 | 7.5 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 1 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Packing and crating services from independent stores , Handling services and Freight transportation arrangement brokering. Packing and crating services from independent stores is the largest segment of the Freight Packing & Logistics Services in the US.
Trends and Insights
Rising route guide depth reduces in-house packing and crating activity
- Logistics services consolidate freight into various containers, including crates, pallets and plastic wraps, to protect items from damage during transport. Maintaining the staff and equipment needed to conduct this process in-house is prohibitively expensive for many end-users. This makes businesses more likely to outsource logistics services. According to CH Robinson, route guide depth also increased month-over-month and year-over-year in December 2025. This suggests more retailers are using logistics services to avoid costs associated with low tender acceptance rates and reliance on backup carriers.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry mainly provides packing and crating services for the transportation sector. It includes companies that offer freight consignment consolidation, trade document preparation, logistics consulting services, packing, crating and other preparations for transportation. The industry doesn't include the actual transportation or delivery of goods.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States include Packing and crating services from independent stores , Handling services and Freight transportation arrangement brokers .Companies
Companies covered in the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States include Deutsche Post Ag.Purchase this report to view all 1 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States include radio-frequency identification (rfid), pallet, bills of lading, air waybill and pooling services.Industry Code
NAICS 48899 - Freight Packing & Logistics Services in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Logistics providers emphasize investment in automation despite high interest rates that reduced consumer spending and manufacturing activity from 2023 through 2025. Tariff fr...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Employees, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Businesses, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Profit, including historical (2016-2026)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Rising route guide depth increases demand for outsourced packing and crating services. Maintaining in-house staff and equipment is prohibitively expensive for many end-users.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2026
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2026
- Major market segmentation in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The Southeast benefits from robust supply chain infrastructure, including major seaports at Savannah, Charleston, Miami and Jacksonville. Florida serves as a primary gateway ...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2026
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2026
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Vertical integration and consolidation increase market concentration among large logistics enterprises. DHL acquired Inmar Supply Chain Solutions, CRYOPDP and IDS Fulfillment...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2021-2026
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
DHL operates across multiple shipping and storage industries. Logistics service providers that integrate a wide array of services are more likely to succeed.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2022 through 2026
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2026
- Overview of Deutsche Post Ag's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Deutsche Post Ag, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
E-commerce sales represent the most significant driver of freight packers' growth over the current period. Consumers' preference for online shopping continued after the pande...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profit rises through specialization and value-added offerings despite rising wages and price competition. Providers leverage automation, AI-powered monitoring and specialized...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2019-2024)
- Industry Tax Structure (2019-2024)
- Income Statement (2019-2024)
- Balance Sheet (2019-2024)
- Liquidity Ratios (2019-2024)
- Coverage Ratios (2019-2024)
- Leverage Ratios (2019-2024)
- Operating Ratios (2019-2024)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Employee (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Employees per Establishment (2016-2031)
- Employees per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Average Wage (2016-2031)
- Wages/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- IVA/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Imports/Demand (2016-2031)
- Exports/Revenue (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2016-2031)
- IVA (2016-2031)
- Establishments (2016-2031)
- Enterprises (2016-2031)
- Employment (2016-2031)
- Exports (2016-2031)
- Imports (2016-2031)
- Wages (2016-2031)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States in 2026?
The market size of the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States is $5.3bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States in 2026?
There are 2,412 businesses in the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.9 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States?
The Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States?
The Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States has been growing at a CAGR of 3.5 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States?
The biggest company operating in the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States is Deutsche Post Ag
What does the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States include?
Packing and crating services from independent stores and Handling services are part of the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States?
The company holding the most market share in the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States is Deutsche Post Ag.
How competitive is the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Freight Packing & Logistics Services industry in the United States.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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