NAICS Code for Logistics and Supply Chain
Federal logistics contracting is dominated by DoD through DLA (Defense Logistics Agency), USTRANSCOM, and the service branches, with additional volume at GSA, USPS, and various civilian agencies. Logistics NAICS span trucking, warehousing, supply management consulting, and integrated logistics support, and picking the right primary requires understanding which flavor of logistics work you actually do.
Primary NAICS codes for logistics services
484110: General Freight Trucking, Local ($34M size standard) Short-haul trucking services.
484121: General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload ($34M) Long-haul truckload freight.
488510: Freight Transportation Arrangement ($22M) Freight brokerage, logistics coordination, 3PL services that don't involve owning the trucks.
493110: General Warehousing and Storage ($34M) Warehousing operations, distribution center management.
541614: Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services ($19.5M) For logistics advisory, supply chain consulting, distribution strategy, process optimization focused on physical operations.
Secondary NAICS codes to consider
488210: Support Activities for Rail Transportation ($41.5M) For firms supporting rail logistics.
488320: Marine Cargo Handling ($47M) For port operations, stevedoring, cargo handling at marine terminals.
488510: Freight Transportation Arrangement ($22M) Also often used as secondary by firms that primary elsewhere but do occasional brokerage.
541611: Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services ($24.5M) For logistics firms doing broader management consulting.
541512: Computer Systems Design Services ($34M) For logistics firms implementing TMS, WMS, or supply chain software.
Which code should be your primary
Asset-based carriers (you own the trucks) primary under 484110, 484121, or other 484xxx codes depending on service area.
Non-asset 3PLs and brokers primary under 488510. Lower capital intensity, different competition pool.
Warehousing operators primary under 493110. For firms running distribution centers and storage facilities.
Logistics consulting firms (no physical operations) primary under 541614 or 541611. Much lower size standards but no fleet or facility overhead.
Hybrid firms (operating carriers with consulting practice) face a strategic decision. The asset-based NAICS carry higher size standards (34-47M) but the asset capitalization cost is real. Primary under the revenue-dominant activity.
Size standard considerations
Logistics NAICS mostly cluster in the $22M-$47M range. The big exception is logistics consulting (541614 at $19.5M) which has a much tighter ceiling. Consulting-primary logistics firms graduate out of small status faster than their asset-based counterparts.
Marine cargo handling (488320) at $47M is among the highest size standards available. If a significant portion of your work involves port operations, primary there where eligible to extend small-business status.
Federal demand snapshot
DLA procures logistics and supply chain services for all DoD. Multiple IDIQ vehicles including DLA Energy, DLA Troop Support, DLA Land and Maritime drive significant contract volume.
USTRANSCOM handles DoD global transportation — ground, air, sea. Contracts with commercial carriers flow through 484 and 488 NAICS.
GSA contracts logistics services for civilian agencies through multiple vehicles including GSA Global Supply and various multiple award contracts.
SDVOSB set-asides in logistics are common, particularly at DLA and the service branches. HUBZone preference sees activity on warehousing and regional trucking contracts.
Next steps
Use the NAICS recommender to validate your codes against your specific logistics service mix. For primary vs secondary strategy, see the NAICS code finder guide.