TSA Air Cargo Services in California
Freight that has to make a flight, or has to come off one fast. Marvin runs TSA air cargo ground transport to and from cargo terminals at SFO, OAK, SJC, LAX, BUR, LGB, ONT and SAN with STA-cleared drivers, a logged chain of custody and dispatch that answers at 3 AM.
- Next Flight Out, 24/7
- Air cargo recovery
- Forwarder ground partner
What TSA air cargo ground transport means
Air freight does not start or end at the plane. Someone has to get it from the shipper to the airline’s cargo terminal before lock-out, and someone has to collect it from the terminal and get it to the consignee once it lands. That ground leg is where most delays and most security slip-ups happen.
TSA air cargo work means the driver doing that leg has been cleared under the TSA Security Threat Assessment, the freight stays in a documented chain of custody from pickup to tender, and the paperwork the cargo counter needs is ready when the truck pulls up.
Our TSA air cargo customers are mostly freight forwarders, airlines and ground handlers, labs and manufacturers. Some ship every day through SFO or LAX. Others call us once, at night, because a shipment has to be on the next flight to Chicago and nobody else is answering.
TSA air cargo services we run every day
Six jobs make up most of our TSA air cargo work. All of them run on the same STA-cleared drivers, the same custody log and the same 24/7 dispatch desk.
Next Flight Out (NFO)
Urgent freight driven straight to the cargo terminal to catch the next available commercial or cargo flight. Dispatch works backwards from the lock-out time and tells you on the call whether the flight is realistic.
Book an NFO runAirport pickup and delivery
Collection from shippers to the cargo terminal, and from the terminal to your consignee.
- First mile
- Last mile
Air cargo recovery
Off-loaded, delayed or rerouted freight recovered from the terminal and delivered fast by an STA-cleared driver.
- Off-loads
- Exceptions
Forwarder ground partner
We pick up from your shippers and deliver to your warehouse or the airline, under your instructions.
- Pickups
- Drops
Cross-airport transfers
SFO to LAX, OAK to ONT, SJC to BUR. Same day or next day, tracked all the way.
- Same day
- Next day
Documentation that clears the counter
Air waybill, chain of custody manifest, screening paperwork you provide, and an electronic proof of delivery with signature and photo.
- AWB
- Custody log
- ePOD
We also support on-board couriers with the ground legs at both ends of the flight, and meet air charters at the cargo terminal or FBO to deliver straight to the final consignee.
TSA air cargo at 11 California airports
Two hubs, each a short drive from a major cargo gateway, run all of our TSA air cargo work. Our SFO Hub in South San Francisco covers the Bay Area airports. Our LAX Hub in Inglewood is minutes from LAX cargo and covers the rest of Southern California.
- SFOSan Francisco International
- OAKOakland International
- SJCSan Jose Mineta International
- SMFSacramento International
- FATFresno Yosemite International
- LAXLos Angeles International
- BURHollywood Burbank
- LGBLong Beach
- ONTOntario International
- SANSan Diego International
- PSPPalm Springs International
How we get urgent freight onto the next flight
NFO is a race against the cargo lock-out, the latest time an airline will accept freight for a flight. Everything we do on an NFO run is planned backwards from that time, which is why TSA air cargo dispatch starts with the flight, not the pickup.
What dispatch needs for an NFO
The more we know on the first call, the more time is left for the drive. These five details let us choose a flight and send a driver straight away.
- Pickup address and ready timewhen the freight will actually be packed and waiting.
- Destination airport or cityso we can check which flights still have open lock-out times.
- Pieces, weight and dimensionsincluding anything that needs a liftgate or temperature control.
- Air waybill or forwarderif a forwarder is booking the flight, their contact and AWB number.
- Who signs at the terminaland who should get the custody record when it is tendered.
iThe log above is a sample shipment. Real timings depend on traffic, the airline and the terminal.
When air freight goes wrong at the airport
- Off-loadedRecover it from the terminal
We collect off-loaded freight and either rebook it with your forwarder or deliver it by road.
- Missed flightReposition to another airport
If SFO has nothing left tonight, LAX or OAK may. We drive it there in time for that lock-out.
- ReroutedCollect at the new arrival point
Freight that lands somewhere unexpected is picked up there and delivered to the original consignee.
- Cannot flyDrive it all the way
When no flight works, a dedicated same day vehicle takes it door to door anywhere in California.
The TSA air cargo fleet
Most TSA air cargo work runs in vans and liftgate box trucks. For pharma and biotech air freight, a refrigerated box truck keeps the temperature logged all the way to the terminal.
Cargo Van
NFO cartons, parts and small air freight. The fastest way to a cargo counter.
Liftgate Box Truck (16 to 26 ft)
Palletised air freight and terminal recoveries, with a liftgate for consignees without a dock.
Refrigerated Box Truck
Chilled and frozen air cargo with continuous temperature logging from pickup to tender.
How to book TSA air cargo transport, in 4 steps
One call to a live dispatcher. No portal to learn and no ticket queue.
- 1
Call or send the details
Pickup, airport, pieces and weight, and the flight or lock-out time. You get a price and a pickup time on the call.
- 2
STA-cleared driver dispatched
The nearest suitable vehicle is sent, usually within the hour for NFO work, with your AWB and instructions.
- 3
Picked up and sealed
Pieces counted, photographed and sealed. Every hand-off from here is logged with a time and a name.
- 4
Tendered and proofed
Delivered to the cargo terminal or consignee. The signed receipt and custody record are emailed to you.
Why forwarders and shippers trust Marvin with air cargo
Air freight punishes small mistakes. A missing document or a late driver costs a flight. These are the things we get right every time.
STA-cleared drivers
Drivers on TSA air cargo runs are cleared under the TSA Security Threat Assessment and hold current DOT credentials.
24/7 live dispatch
Flights leave at night and on holidays. So do we. A real dispatcher answers every call, any hour.
Two airport hubs
SFO Hub in South San Francisco and LAX Hub in Inglewood, both minutes from major cargo terminals.
Chain of custody on every TSA air cargo load
Seal numbers, photos, times and names at each hand-off, sent to you and your forwarder.
CLDA member
A member of the Customized Logistics and Delivery Association, the trade body for professional last-mile carriers.
GPS and real-time POD
Live vehicle tracking and an electronic proof of delivery with signature and photo on every job.
TSA air cargo for the businesses that ship by air
Different customers, the same requirement: the freight has to be at the right terminal, with the right paperwork, before the flight closes. That is what our TSA air cargo service is built around.
Freight Forwarders and 3PLs
Pickups, terminal drops and recoveries on your behalf.
Aerospace and AOG
Aircraft-on-ground parts to hangars and outbound flights.
Pharma and Biotech
Temperature-controlled product to the cargo terminal.
Medical Devices
Surgical kits and implants flown out for scheduled cases.
Manufacturing
Line-down parts and samples on the first flight out.
E-Commerce and Retail
Inbound air freight recovered and delivered to the DC.
Technology
Hardware and prototypes from Silicon Valley to SFO and SJC.
Airlines and Ground Handlers
Exception recoveries and transfers between terminals.
Five questions to ask any air cargo ground carrier
Rates for TSA air cargo runs look similar. The answers to these questions are what decide whether your freight makes the flight. Here is how we answer them.
Yes. Drivers on TSA air cargo work are cleared under the TSA Security Threat Assessment before they handle air freight.
A live dispatcher, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. NFO requests at 2 AM are normal for us.
You get seal numbers, photos, times and names at every hand-off, plus the signed terminal receipt.
Yes. If one airport has no flight left, we can drive the freight to another one in time for its lock-out.
$100,000 cargo liability per load. Tell us at booking if a shipment is worth more and we will talk through options.
Call now with the pickup address and the airport. We will tell you straight away whether the flight is realistic.
Call dispatchTSA air cargo coverage across California
We collect from shippers and deliver to consignees anywhere in California, and run them to and from the nearest cargo gateway. These are the areas we serve most often.
Northern California, from the SFO Hub
SFOOAKSJCSMFFAT- South San Francisco
- San Francisco
- Oakland
- San Jose
- Sunnyvale
- Santa Clara
- Fremont
- Hayward
- San Mateo
- Redwood City
- Palo Alto
- Mountain View
- Pleasanton
- Sacramento
- Fresno
Southern California, from the LAX Hub
LAXBURLGBONTSANPSP- Inglewood
- Los Angeles
- Burbank
- Long Beach
- El Segundo
- Torrance
- Orange County
- Ontario
- Riverside
- San Diego
- Palm Springs
Shippers in smaller towns are served the same way: the nearest hub sends an STA-cleared driver, the freight is sealed and logged at your door, and it goes to whichever airport has the best flight. Ask dispatch when you book and we will tell you which gateway gives your TSA air cargo shipment the earliest arrival.
What sets the price of a TSA air cargo run
You get a price on the call, before anything moves, and it does not change once the driver is on the way. Four things drive it.
- Distance to the airportMiles from pickup to the cargo terminal, or from the terminal to the consignee.
- Vehicle sizeA van for cartons, a liftgate box truck for pallets, or a refrigerated truck.
- UrgencyAn NFO run with a driver sent immediately costs more than a scheduled pickup.
- Wait and handlingTerminal wait time, after-hours work and special handling, disclosed upfront.
What travels with every TSA air cargo load
- Air waybillattached to the freight or held by the driver for the counter.
- Chain of custody manifestwith seal numbers, times and names at each hand-off.
- Screening documentswhere the shipper or forwarder has screened the cargo.
- Photos at pickup and tendershowing piece count and condition.
- Electronic proof of deliverywith signature, timestamp and photo.
TSA air cargo FAQs
Straight answers before you book. Dispatch picks up 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Call +1 (323) 673-7397What does STA-cleared mean?
STA is the TSA Security Threat Assessment, a background check the TSA runs on people who handle air cargo. Our drivers on TSA air cargo work have been cleared under it, and they follow chain of custody procedures so your freight stays in documented, secure hands from pickup to the cargo terminal.
Can you handle Next Flight Out shipments?
Yes, NFO is one of our main services. Dispatch answers 24/7, checks the lock-out time for the flight you need, sends an STA-cleared driver and gets the freight to the cargo terminal in time. We cover SFO, OAK, SJC, LAX, BUR, LGB, ONT and SAN.
Do you recover air cargo from California airports?
Yes. We recover off-loaded, delayed and misdirected freight from airport cargo terminals and deliver it to the consignee, coordinating with the airline cargo office or ground handler so the freight does not sit. Recovery is a core part of our TSA air cargo service, day or night.
Do you work with freight forwarders?
Yes. We act as the ground partner for licensed freight forwarders and 3PLs at SFO, LAX and the other California airports, collecting from shippers, dropping at the airline and recovering inbound freight under your instructions.
Can you move air cargo between SFO and LAX the same day?
Yes. We run same day transfers between our SFO Hub and LAX Hub. Forwarders use it to consolidate at one gateway, airlines use it for exceptions, and shippers use it when a flight is missed at one airport and the freight needs to catch a departure at the other.
Which airports do you serve?
San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK), San Jose (SJC), Los Angeles (LAX), Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB), Ontario (ONT) and San Diego (SAN), plus Sacramento (SMF), Fresno (FAT) and Palm Springs (PSP).
Can you carry temperature-controlled air freight?
Yes. Our refrigerated box trucks hold anywhere from -20°F to +65°F with continuous logging, so pharma, biotech and food shipments arrive at the terminal with a temperature record for the whole ground leg.
What size of shipment can you take to the airport?
Cargo vans carry up to 2,000 lbs and liftgate box trucks from 16 to 26 ft carry up to 10,000 lbs. For anything larger, call (323) 673-7397 and we will tell you what we can arrange before you book.
Related services
TSA air cargo is one leg of the journey. These services cover what happens before and after the flight.
Air cargo security rules are set by the Transportation Security Administration, and carrier safety standards by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Every Marvin TSA air cargo run uses DOT registered vehicles and STA-cleared drivers.
Book TSA air cargo transport
Tell dispatch the pickup address, the airport and the flight or lock-out time. You get a price and a pickup time on the call, and an STA-cleared driver on the way, usually within the hour.
- SFO Hub245 S Spruce Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080
- LAX Hub1101 W Hillcrest Blvd, Inglewood, CA
- Emailsales@marvintransportation.com · Available 24/7