Running a global supply chain is complex, and healthcare adds even more challenges. The stakes are high. Millions of dollars in product and patient health are on the line. If something goes wrong, you risk not only financial loss but also the well-being of people who rely on these critical products.

The Landscape of Healthcare Freight Forwarding

The healthcare industry continues to see incredible growth, increasing the volume, speed and complexity of healthcare logistics. Recent data shows global clinical trials surged as recent as the first half of 2025, with Asia-Pacific countries like China, India, South Korea and Japan leading this growth. As the demand for outsourced trial logistics and packaging climbs, supply chain leaders need partners with broad global reach, digital solutions and deep regulatory expertise.¹

Healthcare supply chains stand apart because the products flowing through them are both valuable and sensitive. Freight forwarding providers have an important job to do.

• Temperature Control: From routine medicines to personalized therapies, many products need strict temperature control to stay viable. Even a small change can compromise an entire shipment.
• Regulatory Hurdles: Moving healthcare products across borders means meeting each country’s unique regulations. Every stop brings new paperwork and reporting requirements. A single wrong code or missing document can cause delays that put sensitive products and patient care at risk.
• Flexibility and Reach: When challenges arise, supply chain managers rely on providers who offer flexible, compliant solutions. It’s vital to work with a provider that has IATA CEIV Pharma-certified sites to guarantee global standards and can adapt if a route becomes unavailable.

A dependable logistics integrator should go where companies need to go, whether through strong partnerships or building new capabilities, so healthcare products can arrive safely.

Cue UPS Healthcare.

The Power of Logistics Integrators

UPS Healthcare delivers true end-to-end logistics solutions for the healthcare industry, including robust freight forwarding capabilities.

We've expanded our cold chain network, invested in related certifications, and built capabilities to meet the growing demands of healthcare supply chains. Our commitment means customers get a provider with the experience, scale, and high quality standards to help products reach their destination safely and efficiently.

• We have invested in more than 27 cross docking sites and counting. A flexible and yet effective solution that allows freight shipments to be temporarily held and then put on their next transportation leg, each site placed at strategic nodes in a network. More sites, means more options for healthcare companies to choose from.
• Globally accepted certifications hold all 3PLs to the same standards around the world, creating peace of mind products are handled with the utmost care by a carrier in every place. UPS Healthcare has always operated at a high level and our increasing investment in IATA CEIV Pharma certifications reaffirm our commitment to quality, for our customers' reassurance.
• End-to-end means you can trust us as a freight forwarding provider, and also for brokerage, transportation managementand so much more tied to a supply chain’s broad set of needs. With the right end-to-end integrator, you can impact extended parts of your logistics such as warehousing and distribution services and even small parcel delivery. Customers can leverage our air and ground network, and pair that service with advanced sensor tech to prioritize shipments. It's all there for what you need it.

UPS® Forwarding Hub gives you power at your fingertips

You know what’s at stake. The right digital tools can give you control and flexibility, and the UPS Forwarding Hub does just that.

This robust digital tool lets you:

• Search, get quotes, and book shipments, all in one place.
• Quickly make decisions about your freight lanes.
• Smoothly manage other parts of your supply chain through connected tools like UPS Supply Chain Symphony™.

Cold chain included. Whether you’re shipping controlled room temperature (15°C to 25°C), refrigerated (2°C to 8°C), frozen (-20°C) or cryo (-150°C), you’ll find flexible options to meet your needs. For frozen and cryo shipments, we can provide custom rate quotes. Just select your temperature range from the drop-down and include specific requirements in the notes section. Our team will have what they need to review and provide the best solution for you.

The UPS Forwarding Hub connects seamlessly with the UPS Supply Chain Symphony for Healthcare portal, giving you a unified view of your entire operation. With all your supply chain data in one place, you can make informed decisions and keep everything running smoothly.

The UPS Forwarding Hub makes it simple to do business, with the power and flexibility of a reliable freight forwarder. At UPS Healthcare, we empower our customers with innovative tools, seamless solutions, and unmatched expertise, ensuring their supply chain operates efficiently and their business thrives.

Ready to move your freight? Start today with UPS Forwarding Hub.

Have questions about your supply chain? You don't have to solve them alone. Let's connect and see how we can work together to deliver what matters most.

^{1. GlobalData, "Clinical Trial Initiations Surge in 2025," analyst briefing, Oct. 31, 2025.}

Related Articles