NAICS 481212: Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation is NAICS code 481212. A business is small under it with 1,500 employees or fewer. 3 federal contracts are open on SAM.gov under this code right now.
- SBA size standard
- 1,500 employees or fewer
- Open contracts now
- 3
- Federal spending, FY2025
- $3.9 billion
- Share won by small businesses
- 34%
- Small businesses registered
- 497
Open federal contracts for nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation
- Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP) Innovative Delivery of Effects (RIDE) Supplemental Request for Information (RFI) – Industry Statements of Capability (SOCs)
Due in 5 daysOct 9, 2026
- Amphibious Water Scooper Aircraft Services
Due in 24 daysOct 29, 2026
- Water Scooper Multiple Award IDIQ
Due in 25 daysOct 29, 2026
What NAICS 481212 covers
The Census Bureau's NAICS index lists these kinds of work under 481212:
- Air cargo carriers (except air couriers), nonscheduled
- Charter air freight services
- Freight charter services, air
- Freight transportation, air, charter services
- Helicopter carriers, freight, nonscheduled
- Nonscheduled air freight transportation
- Space transportation, freight, nonscheduled
- Transportation by spacecraft, freight
Read the full definition, including what's excluded, on census.gov.
SBA size standard for 481212
To count as a small business for a contract assigned NAICS 481212, your business must have 1,500 employees or fewer. Employees are averaged over the last 24 months.
From SBA's table of size standards, effective Mar 17, 2023. Confirm it with SBA's size standards tool before you certify your size.
Who buys nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation
Agencies that awarded the most under NAICS 481212 over the last three fiscal years, per USAspending.gov:
| Agency | Obligated |
|---|---|
| Department of the Air Force | $7.5 billion |
| Forest Service | $2.9 billion |
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | $997.4 million |
| Ustranscom | $956.4 million |
| Department of the Navy | $120.8 million |
| Departmental Offices | $61.2 million |
| Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service | $3.2 million |
| Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response | $1.8 million |
Open notices right now come from Department of Agriculture (2) and Dept of Defense (1).
Set-asides on open 481212 contracts
- Total small business set-aside: 2
- No set-aside (full and open): 1
Not sure which set-asides you qualify for? Try the free SBA certification screener, or read set-aside contracts, explained.
Your competition
497 businesses with active SAM.gov registrations are rated small under NAICS 481212, most of them in Florida (69), Texas (51), California (41), Georgia (27) and Virginia (27). Look any of them up with the free CAGE code and UEI lookup.
Federal spending under 481212 by year
| Fiscal year | Contract obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2024 | $4.4 billion |
| FY2025 | $3.9 billion |
| FY2026 | $4.2 billion |
| FY2027 (so far) | $-2,079,612 |
Source: USAspending.gov, all contract awards with this NAICS code. Fiscal years start October 1.
Related NAICS codes
- 481211 Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation
- 481219 Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation
Frequently asked questions
What is NAICS code 481212?
481212 is the 2022 NAICS code for Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation. The Census Bureau's index lists work such as air cargo carriers (except air couriers), nonscheduled, charter air freight services, freight charter services, air under it. Federal contracting uses the 2022 codes.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 481212?
1,500 employees or fewer. A business at or under that is small for contracts assigned this code. The current SBA table took effect Mar 17, 2023.
Are there government contracts for nonscheduled chartered freight air transportation?
Yes. 3 federal contract opportunities under NAICS 481212 are open on SAM.gov right now. Agencies obligated about $3.9 billion under this code in fiscal year 2025, according to USAspending.gov.
How do I add NAICS code 481212 to my SAM.gov registration?
Update your entity registration on SAM.gov and add the code on the Goods and Services page, in the Assertions section. You can list several NAICS codes and mark one as your primary. Changes are free.
Keep going
- Search other NAICS codes by keyword or company
- How to choose NAICS codes for government contracts
- NAICS codes with the most open federal contracts
FedReady is an independent company, not affiliated with SBA, SAM.gov, the Census Bureau or any government agency. Open-contract counts come from SAM.gov and update daily; spending figures come from USAspending.gov.