spedition

Spedition is the activity of planning, organizing, and coordinating the movement of goods from origin to destination on behalf of a client. In German-speaking contexts it is closely related to freight forwarding and logistics and often denotes a company that arranges transport rather than owning all assets. A spedition acts as an intermediary between shippers and carriers, optimizing routes, modes, and costs while ensuring compliance with applicable rules.

Typical services include multimodal transport management (road, rail, sea, air), freight consolidation, packaging and labeling, warehousing and inventory handling, insurance, and the preparation of transport and customs documents. Speditions may provide customs clearance, import/export formalities, and advice on Incoterms. They arrange cargo space, issue bills of lading or airway bills, track shipments, and handle risk management. Some operators own trucks, warehouses, or ships; others act purely as intermediaries connecting clients with carriers.

Speditions serve manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, handling sensitive or high-volume shipments, global or regional trades, and time-critical deliveries. The field blends traditional transport brokers with more comprehensive logistics services (3PL). Digital platforms and transportation management systems have automated quotation, booking, and tracking, increasing transparency and efficiency while challenging smaller operators to scale.

In many markets, the term spedition also reflects a company’s capability profile rather than a fixed industry category. Distinctions between spedition and broader logistics can vary by country; in practice, a spedition typically combines strategic transport planning with operational execution, aiming to optimize cost, speed, and reliability for its clients.