Echo tracking

What is Echo?

Echo Global Logistics, Inc. is a US-based freight broker and third-party logistics provider headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in January 2005 by Eric Lefkofsky and Bradley Keywell, the company was built around the idea that technology could bring order to the fragmented US freight transportation market. Starting from a single conference room with a small team, Echo secured $7 million in venture capital funding in its early years and reached profitability by 2007, its second full year of operation.

The company listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange on October 2, 2009, under the ticker symbol ECHO, raising approximately $80 million in its initial public offering priced at $14.00 per share. Over the following years, Echo expanded through both organic growth and acquisitions, adding Trailer Transport Systems in December 2011, Plum Logistics in June 2012, and Shipper Direct Logistics in July 2012. By 2014, Echo employed approximately 1,400 people across 25 locations and had surpassed $1 billion in annual revenue, with Doug Waggoner serving as CEO since December 2006.

In November 2021, Echo was taken private by The Jordan Company, L.P., a global private equity firm, in a transaction valued at approximately $1.3 billion, with shareholders receiving $48.25 per share. Under private ownership, Echo accelerated its acquisition strategy, adding Roadtex Transportation Corporation in May 2022 for its nationwide temperature-controlled supply chain network, then Fastmore Logistics in November 2022 for expedited brokerage and international freight forwarding connections. In January 2026, Echo announced a definitive agreement to acquire ITS Logistics, a Reno, Nevada-based 3PL with over $1.3 billion in 2025 revenue, which would create a combined entity with approximately $5.4 billion in pro forma annual revenue.

• Date of founding: January 2005, in Chicago, Illinois, by Eric Lefkofsky and Bradley Keywell
• Initial public offering: October 2, 2009, on the NASDAQ exchange under the ticker symbol ECHO, at $14.00 per share
• Headquarters: 600 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, USA
• Parent company: The Jordan Company, L.P., a private equity firm that acquired Echo in November 2021 for approximately $1.3 billion enterprise value
• Projected revenue: Approximately $5.4 billion in combined pro forma revenue following the planned acquisition of ITS Logistics
• Client base: Approximately 35,000 clients across industries including manufacturing, retail, food and beverage, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals
• Carrier network: More than 50,000 individual transportation providers accessible through Echo's brokerage platform
• Daily shipments: Approximately 16,000 shipments processed daily across the carrier network
• Office locations: More than 30 offices across the United States, with additional cross-border facilities in Mexico
• USDOT Number: 2233564
• FMCSA authority: MC-511639, authorized for broker property and household goods

Echo operates as a non-asset-based broker, meaning it does not own the trucks, trailers, or warehouses used to move freight. It acts as the intermediary between shippers and its network of more than 50,000 carriers, selecting the appropriate partner for each shipment based on cost, capacity, and service requirements. This model allows Echo to serve clients ranging from small businesses shipping occasional freight to Fortune 500 companies that have outsourced their entire transportation function through Echo's managed logistics programs. The company has received FreightTech 25 recognition from FreightWaves for four consecutive years for its standing as a technology-focused operator in the freight industry.

Which countries does Echo deliver to?

Echo's primary service territory is the contiguous United States, where it maintains more than 30 office locations and a temperature-controlled warehouse network through its Roadtex subsidiary. The Roadtex network, comprising more than 32 food-grade cross-dock facilities and 5 value-added warehousing and distribution facilities, covers 85% of the US population within a 24-hour shipping window. This domestic infrastructure supports freight movements across all 48 contiguous states, from major industrial and urban centers to more remote commercial and rural destinations.

For cross-border North American freight, Echo has built a dedicated Mexico division. The company operates offices in Mexico City as the divisional headquarters, with additional facilities in Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Laredo, Texas. In January 2026, Echo launched EchoXBorder, an expanded cross-border product covering all US and Mexico airports, ocean ports, and major land border crossings. Echo's documented service scope for North American freight extends door-to-door from Mexico through the United States to Canada, giving shippers a single provider for movements across the continent.

• United States: Complete coverage of the contiguous 48 states through a network of 30+ offices and the Roadtex temperature-controlled warehouse infrastructure
• Mexico: Full cross-border freight management and customs brokerage through the EchoXBorder platform, with dedicated offices in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Laredo, Texas
• Canada: Cross-border service documented as part of Echo's North American coverage alongside Mexico and the United States
• International destinations: Worldwide shipping via international air and ocean freight services, reaching thousands of locations globally through a network of vetted freight partners

International shipments are handled through Echo's air freight and ocean freight services, supported by a team of specialists who assist with customs documentation, tariff classification, and compliance with import and export regulations. Air freight is available on a time-definite basis without consolidation holds, meaning individual shipments depart on schedule rather than waiting for a load to fill. Ocean freight is available for less time-sensitive cargo where transit time is secondary to cost. For both modes, Echo's international team provides guidance on the logistical and regulatory specifics of each destination country involved in the shipment.

What are the Echo services and delivery times?

Echo offers a wide range of freight transportation modes and logistics services, reflecting its position as a multi-modal broker and third-party logistics provider. The company's portfolio covers full truckload, less-than-truckload, intermodal rail, temperature-controlled freight, expedited brokerage, small parcel management, international air and ocean, and fully outsourced managed transportation. Each service line is accessible through Echo's self-service EchoShip portal or through direct engagement with Echo's logistics specialists, depending on the complexity and volume of the shipment.

Transit times vary by mode and lane. For standard less-than-truckload shipments, domestic transit typically runs between 1 and 5 business days, with longer timelines for more remote origins or destinations. Full truckload shipments on most contiguous US lanes are deliverable within 1 to 3 days, subject to federal Hours of Service regulations. The Roadtex temperature-controlled LTL network covers 85% of the US population within a 24-hour delivery window. Expedited services through Fastmore Logistics offer cargo van and straight truck options capable of same-day or next-day delivery on many domestic lanes. International air freight is available on a time-definite basis, while ocean freight transit depends on the specific port pair and vessel schedule.

• Full Truckload (FTL): Dry van, flatbed, and temperature-controlled truckload brokerage using OTR fleets, owner-operators, and dedicated capacity, with typical transit of 1 to 3 business days for most domestic lanes
• Less-Than-Truckload (LTL): Access to 120+ top-volume LTL carriers nationwide with instant quoting and booking through EchoShip, with typical transit of 1 to 5 business days
• Partial Truckload: An intermediate option for shipments too large for standard LTL pricing but not requiring a full trailer
• Temperature-Controlled LTL: Dedicated cold-chain capacity through the Roadtex subsidiary for food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical shippers, with 85% of the US population reachable within 24 hours
• Intermodal Rail: Cost-effective domestic freight via major rail carriers and drayage partners, suitable for longer-distance lanes where transit time flexibility allows
• Expedited Freight: Same-day and next-day capacity via cargo vans, straight trucks, and full truckload through Fastmore Logistics, focused on time-critical domestic connections and international freight forwarding
• Final Mile and Last Mile: Delivery from distribution center to commercial or residential endpoint, available for both B2B and direct-to-consumer shipments
• Small Parcel Management: Carrier selection, pricing negotiation, invoice auditing, and shipment visibility technology with no licensing or service fees for the management platform
• International Air and Ocean: Time-definite air freight with no consolidation holds and competitive-rate ocean freight for worldwide destinations
• Managed Transportation: Fully outsourced logistics management including planning, carrier selection, invoice auditing, and network optimization reporting, powered by Echo's EchoAccelerator technology platform
• Mexico Cross-Border (EchoXBorder): Integrated customs brokerage and freight management for US-Mexico lanes covering all airports, ocean ports, and land border crossings, launched January 2026
• Drop Trailer Solutions: A nationwide trailer network operated in partnership with Wabash Trailers as a Service, allowing shippers to load and unload freight without requiring a live driver to wait on-site

Beyond individual freight modes, Echo provides retail consolidation programs that allow multiple suppliers shipping to the same large retailer to combine their freight into a single delivery. This is particularly useful for meeting the strict compliance windows and appointment requirements of major big-box retailers. White glove delivery services are also available for retail rollouts, store openings, closings, and relocations, including in-home setup, tear-down, and debris removal for furniture and large-format product deliveries.

What are the Echo rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

Echo does not publish standard rate cards. All pricing is obtained through dynamic quoting that reflects real-time carrier market conditions at the time of booking. Shippers using the EchoShip portal can obtain instant quotes by entering shipment details including origin, destination, weight, dimensions, and freight class, then selecting from available carrier options across Echo's LTL and truckload network. This marketplace approach means rates vary daily based on supply, demand and prevailing conditions in the carrier market for the lane in question.

For companies enrolling in Echo's Managed Transportation program, pricing is structured as a cost-plus arrangement, with Echo charging a management fee on top of the underlying carrier costs. Echo states that most managed transportation clients achieve savings of between 8% and 15% or more on annual freight spend. These savings come from Echo's ability to negotiate pricing programs across its broad client base and from the practice of auditing 100% of carrier invoices, with incorrect charges disputed before they reach the client.

• LTL quoting: Instant quotes available through the EchoShip portal, calculated based on freight class, weight, dimensions, and lane
• Truckload quoting: Dynamic market pricing for full truckload and partial truckload, reflecting real-time carrier availability and demand on the specific lane
• Managed Transportation: Cost-plus management fee structure, with documented client savings averaging 8% to 15% or more annually on total freight spend
• Small Parcel: No licensing, hosting, customization, or service fees for the management technology platform, with value delivered through carrier pricing negotiations and invoice audit recovery
• Weight and dimension limits: No single published maximum applies to the brokerage network as a whole; limits depend on the mode selected and the individual carrier assigned, with Echo's team available to identify solutions for oversized or heavy freight

LTL freight pricing follows the National Motor Freight Classification system, where freight class is determined by density, stowability, handling requirements, and liability characteristics of the goods. Echo's access to more than 120 LTL carriers means shippers can compare rates across a range of providers for any given shipment. For large-volume or complex shipping programs, Echo's team works directly with clients to build negotiated pricing agreements outside the self-service portal, with program structures tailored to the client's freight profile.

What are the Echo delivery options?

Echo operates primarily as a B2B freight broker and third-party logistics provider serving commercial and industrial shippers, rather than as a consumer parcel delivery network. There is no residential locker system, consumer pickup point network, or time-slot booking system comparable to those offered by national parcel carriers. Shipments are typically delivered to business receiving docks, warehouses, distribution centers, and retail facilities following standard commercial freight receiving procedures.

For shipments requiring delivery beyond standard commercial freight norms, Echo offers several specialized options. Final mile and last mile delivery services cover both residential and commercial endpoints, including deliveries from a distribution center to an individual home or store location. White glove services extend further to include in-home setup, furniture assembly, tear-down, and debris removal, making this option appropriate for retailers distributing large or complex products directly to end consumers. These services are generally provided in conjunction with Echo's Roadtex warehousing and distribution infrastructure.

• Commercial freight delivery: Standard delivery to business receiving docks, warehouses, and distribution centers via LTL, truckload, and intermodal services
• Final mile and last mile: Delivery from distribution center to commercial or residential endpoint, available for both B2B and direct-to-consumer shipments
• White glove delivery: In-home delivery with assembly, setup, tear-down, and debris removal, primarily for furniture and large-format product retailers
• Retail rollout services: Coordinated delivery, setup, and logistics support for retail store openings, closings, and relocations
• Drop trailer solutions: A nationwide trailer network in partnership with Wabash Trailers as a Service, allowing shippers to load freight at their own pace without requiring a live driver to wait on-site
• Direct-to-consumer: Available through Roadtex warehousing and distribution operations for clients shipping finished goods directly to end consumers

Cross-docking and forward stocking services are available through Echo's Roadtex network for clients who need to stage inventory close to customers without maintaining permanent warehouse space. Retail consolidation programs allow multiple suppliers shipping to the same large retailer to merge freight into a single delivery, helping shippers meet strict retailer compliance windows. All of these services are managed through Echo's technology platform, which provides real-time visibility into shipment status across the active network.

What should I do if my Echo parcel is lost or damaged?

For freight that arrives damaged or fails to arrive at all, Echo has a dedicated claims process managed by its Claims Analysts team. The primary entry point for initiating a claim is Echo's general support line at 800-354-7993, where callers select option 3 to reach the accounts payable, accounts receivable, and claims department. The claims team handles the process of engaging with the underlying carrier and managing the resolution on the shipper's behalf throughout the freight claim lifecycle.

Freight claims in the United States are governed by the Carmack Amendment, a federal statute that establishes the framework for carrier liability for loss or damage to interstate shipments. Under this framework, shippers must file claims within specified timeframes after delivery or after the expected delivery date for non-delivered freight. The exact deadlines and required documentation depend on the individual carrier's tariff rules for the shipment in question. Echo's claims analysts work through this process with shippers to gather the required information and submit claims through the appropriate channel with each carrier.

• Claims phone number: 800-354-7993, select option 3 for the claims department
• General inquiries: (312) 544-8400 for the main Chicago office
• Support hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 11pm Eastern Time for standard support; around-the-clock coverage available for managed transportation clients with dedicated logistics experts
• Invoice disputes: For Managed Transportation clients, Echo audits 100% of carrier invoices and disputes incorrect charges proactively, without requiring the client to initiate a separate billing claim
• Governing regulation: US domestic freight claims follow the Carmack Amendment framework, with the individual carrier's tariff rules determining exact filing deadlines and required documentation

Clients enrolled in Echo's Managed Transportation program receive a higher level of proactive support for billing disputes. Because Echo audits every carrier invoice on these clients' behalf, billing errors and overcharges are typically identified and disputed before the client sees the invoice. For physical loss or damage claims, the Managed Transportation team coordinates directly with the carrier through its established relationships, which can accelerate the resolution process compared to a shipper filing independently with an unfamiliar carrier for the first time.

Does Echo handle international shipments and customs formalities?

Echo offers international shipping via two primary modes, air freight and ocean freight. Air freight is available on a time-definite basis without consolidation holds, meaning individual shipments depart on schedule rather than waiting for a container or unit load device to fill. Ocean freight is available for less time-sensitive international cargo where transit time is secondary to cost. Both services are supported by Echo's international team, which provides guidance on documentation requirements, tariff classification, and compliance with import and export regulations for the relevant origin and destination countries.

For US-Mexico cross-border shipments specifically, Echo launched EchoXBorder in January 2026 as a dedicated cross-border customs brokerage product. The service covers all US and Mexico airports, ocean ports, and major land border crossings, and includes consolidation and deconsolidation at the border, real-time shipment visibility, and access to bilingual logistics experts. Echo holds nationwide customs brokerage authority for this service and operates dedicated offices in Laredo, Texas, Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Mexico City to provide on-the-ground support for cross-border movements.

• International air freight: Time-definite service without consolidation holds, providing more predictable transit for time-sensitive international shipments to thousands of worldwide destinations
• International ocean freight: Competitive-rate ocean freight for less time-sensitive international cargo, with access to global port networks and vessel schedules
• Customs brokerage: Provided through EchoXBorder for US-Mexico lanes, covering all airports, ocean ports, and land border crossings in both countries, with nationwide brokerage authority
• Tariff and trade compliance: Echo's international team assists with customs documentation, tariff classification, and compliance with import and export regulations for both air and ocean shipments
• Cross-border North America: Door-to-door service from Mexico through the US to Canada, with dedicated cross-border offices in Laredo, Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Mexico City

For shippers navigating international freight for the first time, Echo's international team advises on the practical requirements of moving goods across specific borders, including which customs forms are required, how to classify goods under the relevant tariff schedules, and how to avoid delays at customs inspection points. Arrangements for duty payment, whether under Delivered Duty Paid or Delivered at Place terms, are handled case by case through direct consultation and depend on the countries and commodities involved. Echo has not published a single consolidated document covering prohibited items or duty rates, as these vary by destination country and are addressed through direct engagement with the client's specific shipping scenario.

Understanding tracking statuses

When tracking an Echo shipment, status updates are collected from the individual carrier handling the freight and displayed in a normalized view through Echo's tracking portal or the EchoShip platform. Because Echo brokers freight across more than 50,000 carriers, each with their own internal systems, the exact statuses displayed depend in part on what the assigned carrier makes available. For LTL shipments, the standard industry identifier is the PRO number, assigned by the individual LTL carrier at pickup. A tracking number, shipment ID, or order reference number can also be entered in the portal to locate a shipment.

Tracking information typically becomes active in Echo's portal approximately 2 to 3 business days after pickup, excluding weekends and holidays, as this is the time required for the carrier to register and synchronize the shipment data. Once active, the platform displays the current freight location, estimated delivery date, a route map view, and delay notifications. A Shipment Board provides a real-time overview of all active shipments at once, and a Watch List function allows users to flag priority shipments for closer attention. Third-party tracking services including also support Echo tracking numbers for users who prefer to monitor through an external platform.