NAICS 425120 - Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers

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What is NAICS 425120

NAICS code 425120 covers Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers who facilitate the wholesale distribution of goods by acting as intermediaries between buyers and sellers. These agents and brokers do not take ownership of the goods; instead, they earn commissions or fees for their services. This sector includes both durable and nondurable goods and embraces traditional as well as electronic means, such as internet platforms, to connect trading parties. Businesses operating under this code are essential in streamlining supply chains, reducing transaction costs, and enhancing market access for manufacturers and purchasers. Government agencies contract these services to leverage specialized market knowledge, improve procurement efficiency, and access a broad range of products through expert intermediaries. These agents can provide valuable insights into market trends and supplier capabilities, which is critical for public sector procurement strategies.

Industry Classification for NAICS 425120

This industry comprises wholesale trade agents and brokers acting on behalf of buyers or sellers in the wholesale distribution of goods, including those that use the Internet or other electronic means to bring together buyers and sellers. Agents and brokers do not take title to the goods being sold but rather receive a commission or fee for their service. Agents and brokers for all durable and nondurable goods are included in this industry.

Illustrative Examples:

  • Independent sales representatives
  • Manufacturers' sales representatives
  • Group purchasing organizations (acting as agents for goods distribution)

Breakdown for NAICS 425120

  • Includes agents and brokers who do not take title to goods but earn commissions.
  • Covers wholesale distribution of all durable and nondurable goods.
  • Encompasses traditional and electronic means of connecting buyers and sellers.
  • Applicable across various industries including manufacturing and retail.
  • Typical size standards align with SBA guidelines for wholesale trade.
  • Supports government agencies in improving procurement efficiency and market access.

Included Activities for NAICS 425120

  • Acting as intermediaries between buyers and sellers for wholesale transactions.
  • Facilitating negotiations and contract arrangements without owning the goods.
  • Using electronic platforms to connect and match buyers with suppliers.
  • Representing manufacturers or group purchasing organizations in sales.
  • Providing market intelligence and supplier insights to buyers.
  • Coordinating logistics and delivery details between parties.
  • Assisting government agencies with sourcing and vendor identification.
  • Managing commissions and fees associated with wholesale sales.

Business Types for NAICS 425120

  • Independent sales representatives
  • Manufacturers' sales representatives
  • Group purchasing organizations acting as agents
  • Wholesale distribution intermediaries
  • Electronic commerce brokers
  • Industry-specific trade agents

Subcategories for NAICS 425120

  • Agents and brokers, durable goods, wholesale trade
  • Agents and brokers, nondurable goods, wholesale trade
  • Automobile auction agents and brokers, wholesale trade
  • Business to business electronic markets, durable goods, wholesale trade
  • Business to business electronic markets, nondurable goods, wholesale trade
  • Durable goods agents and brokers, wholesale trade
  • Durable goods business to business electronic markets, wholesale trade
  • Electronic markets, durable goods, business to business, wholesale trade
  • Electronic markets, nondurable goods, business to business, wholesale trade
  • Group purchasing organizations (acting as agents for goods distribution)
  • Nondurable goods agents and brokers, wholesale trade
  • Nondurable goods business to business electronic markets, wholesale trade
  • Petroleum brokers

Government Buyers for NAICS 425120

Federal, state, and local government agencies often engage wholesale trade agents and brokers to facilitate efficient acquisition of goods across various sectors, including defense, healthcare, and infrastructure. Agencies such as the Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and state procurement offices rely on these intermediaries to access competitive markets and secure best-value products without the need for direct inventory management. By contracting agents and brokers, governments benefit from reduced administrative burdens, enhanced supplier outreach, and improved negotiation leverage, ensuring timely delivery of goods essential to government programs and public services.

Contract Types & Procurement for NAICS 425120

Contracts under NAICS 425120 frequently include firm-fixed-price and cost-reimbursement agreements, often awarded through competitive bidding, negotiated procurements, or simplified acquisition procedures. Procurement methods vary based on agency requirements, with some contracts emphasizing long-term agency-agent relationships and others focusing on transactional engagements. Typical contract values can range widely, from modest commissions on small transactions to multi-million-dollar agreements for large-scale distribution projects. Blanket purchase agreements and multiple-award contracts are also common to streamline recurring procurement needs involving agents and brokers.

Details for NAICS 425120

Explore the hierarchy and related codes for this industry

NAICS Code Industry Title
423 Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods
4231 Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
42311 Automobile and Other Motor Vehicle Merchant Wholesalers
423110 Automobile and Other Motor Vehicle Merchant Wholesalers
42312 Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers
423120 Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers
42313 Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers
423130 Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers
42314 Motor Vehicle Parts (Used) Merchant Wholesalers
423140 Motor Vehicle Parts (Used) Merchant Wholesalers
4232 Furniture and Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers
42321 Furniture Merchant Wholesalers
423210 Furniture Merchant Wholesalers
42322 Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers
423220 Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers
4233 Lumber and Other Construction Materials Merchant Wholesalers
42331 Lumber, Plywood, Millwork, and Wood Panel Merchant Wholesalers
423310 Lumber, Plywood, Millwork, and Wood Panel Merchant Wholesalers
42332 Brick, Stone, and Related Construction Material Merchant Wholesalers
423320 Brick, Stone, and Related Construction Material Merchant Wholesalers
42333 Roofing, Siding, and Insulation Material Merchant Wholesalers
423330 Roofing, Siding, and Insulation Material Merchant Wholesalers
42339 Other Construction Material Merchant Wholesalers
423390 Other Construction Material Merchant Wholesalers
4234 Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
42341 Photographic Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
423410 Photographic Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
42342 Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
423420 Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
42343 Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers
423430 Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers
42344 Other Commercial Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
423440 Other Commercial Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
42345 Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
423450 Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
42346 Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers
423460 Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers
42349 Other Professional Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
423490 Other Professional Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
4235 Metal and Mineral (except Petroleum) Merchant Wholesalers
42351 Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers
423510 Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers
42352 Coal and Other Mineral and Ore Merchant Wholesalers
423520 Coal and Other Mineral and Ore Merchant Wholesalers
4236 Household Appliances and Electrical and Electronic Goods Merchant Wholesalers
42361 Electrical Apparatus and Equipment, Wiring Supplies, and Related Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
423610 Electrical Apparatus and Equipment, Wiring Supplies, and Related Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
42362 Household Appliances, Electric Housewares, and Consumer Electronics Merchant Wholesalers
423620 Household Appliances, Electric Housewares, and Consumer Electronics Merchant Wholesalers
42369 Other Electronic Parts and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
423690 Other Electronic Parts and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
4237 Hardware, and Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
42371 Hardware Merchant Wholesalers
423710 Hardware Merchant Wholesalers
42372 Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies (Hydronics) Merchant Wholesalers
423720 Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies (Hydronics) Merchant Wholesalers
42373 Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
423730 Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
42374 Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
423740 Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
4238 Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
42381 Construction and Mining (except Oil Well) Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
423810 Construction and Mining (except Oil Well) Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
42382 Farm and Garden Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
423820 Farm and Garden Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
42383 Industrial Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
423830 Industrial Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
42384 Industrial Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
423840 Industrial Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
42385 Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
423850 Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
42386 Transportation Equipment and Supplies (except Motor Vehicle) Merchant Wholesalers
423860 Transportation Equipment and Supplies (except Motor Vehicle) Merchant Wholesalers
4239 Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers
42391 Sporting and Recreational Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
423910 Sporting and Recreational Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
42392 Toy and Hobby Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
423920 Toy and Hobby Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
42393 Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers
423930 Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers
42394 Jewelry, Watch, Precious Stone, and Precious Metal Merchant Wholesalers
423940 Jewelry, Watch, Precious Stone, and Precious Metal Merchant Wholesalers
42399 Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers
423990 Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers
424 Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods
4241 Paper and Paper Product Merchant Wholesalers
42411 Printing and Writing Paper Merchant Wholesalers
424110 Printing and Writing Paper Merchant Wholesalers
42412 Stationery and Office Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
424120 Stationery and Office Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
42413 Industrial and Personal Service Paper Merchant Wholesalers
424130 Industrial and Personal Service Paper Merchant Wholesalers
4242 Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers
42421 Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers
424210 Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers
4243 Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers
42431 Piece Goods, Notions, and Other Dry Goods Merchant Wholesalers
424310 Piece Goods, Notions, and Other Dry Goods Merchant Wholesalers
42434 Footwear Merchant Wholesalers
424340 Footwear Merchant Wholesalers
42435 Clothing and Clothing Accessories Merchant Wholesalers
424350 Clothing and Clothing Accessories Merchant Wholesalers
4244 Grocery and Related Product Merchant Wholesalers
42441 General Line Grocery Merchant Wholesalers
424410 General Line Grocery Merchant Wholesalers
42442 Packaged Frozen Food Merchant Wholesalers
424420 Packaged Frozen Food Merchant Wholesalers
42443 Dairy Product (except Dried or Canned) Merchant Wholesalers
424430 Dairy Product (except Dried or Canned) Merchant Wholesalers
42444 Poultry and Poultry Product Merchant Wholesalers
424440 Poultry and Poultry Product Merchant Wholesalers
42445 Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers
424450 Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers
42446 Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers
424460 Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers
42447 Meat and Meat Product Merchant Wholesalers
424470 Meat and Meat Product Merchant Wholesalers
42448 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers
424480 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers
42449 Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers
424490 Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers
4245 Farm Product Raw Material Merchant Wholesalers
42451 Grain and Field Bean Merchant Wholesalers
424510 Grain and Field Bean Merchant Wholesalers
42452 Livestock Merchant Wholesalers
424520 Livestock Merchant Wholesalers
42459 Other Farm Product Raw Material Merchant Wholesalers
424590 Other Farm Product Raw Material Merchant Wholesalers
4246 Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers
42461 Plastics Materials and Basic Forms and Shapes Merchant Wholesalers
424610 Plastics Materials and Basic Forms and Shapes Merchant Wholesalers
42469 Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers
424690 Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers
4247 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers
42471 Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals
424710 Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals
42472 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and Terminals)
424720 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and Terminals)
4248 Beer, Wine, and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers
42481 Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers
424810 Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers
42482 Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers
424820 Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers
4249 Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalers
42491 Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
424910 Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
42492 Book, Periodical, and Newspaper Merchant Wholesalers
424920 Book, Periodical, and Newspaper Merchant Wholesalers
42493 Flower, Nursery Stock, and Florists' Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
424930 Flower, Nursery Stock, and Florists' Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
42494 Tobacco Product and Electronic Cigarette Merchant Wholesalers
424940 Tobacco Product and Electronic Cigarette Merchant Wholesalers
42495 Paint, Varnish, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
424950 Paint, Varnish, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
42499 Other Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalers
424990 Other Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalers
425 Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers
4251 Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers
42512 Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers
425120 Current Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers

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