Abstract
Freight forwarding enterprises play a decisive role in the international trade, as well as in managing its related goods and financial flows. As a world's top exporting country, Italy identifies exports markets as the main profitability source, therefore manufacturing industries crescent request of internationalization needs to be supported by experts like freight forwarders. The present study aims to investigate this complex operating context and the strategic value created for both, the customer and the national economy. Thus, freight forwarding companies are presented through the analysis of their organizational structures, services, operating modes and key success factors.