Logistics services in the Philippines: how to choose a partner
Freight, trucking, warehousing and equipment logistics explained, with the questions to ask before you hire a logistics company in the Philippines.
Logistics in the Philippines is fragmented. A single shipment can pass through a freight agent, a trucker and a warehouse that never talk to each other, and costs climb with every handoff. This guide explains what each logistics service covers and what to check before you choose a logistics company.
What logistics services cover
Most business shipments need some mix of four services.
| Service | What it covers | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Import and export freight | Air and sea freight into and out of the Philippines, booking, pickup and delivery | You buy from or sell to other countries |
| Trucking and delivery | Moves between ports, warehouses, stores and offices, including recurring routes | Goods have to reach branches or customers inside the country |
| Warehousing and distribution | Storage, inventory management and dispatch of orders | You hold stock close to where it is sold |
| IT equipment logistics | Deployment to sites, pullouts and storage of IT hardware, including kiosks | You roll out or retrieve equipment across many locations |
Air or sea freight?
Air freight suits urgent or high-value cargo. Sea freight suits volume and heavy cargo where cost matters more than speed. Transit time depends on the route and the cargo, so ask for it with every quote rather than relying on a general figure.
Door to door
Door to door means one provider handles the cargo from pickup to the final address. At Impextic, our own trucks take over at the port or airport, so cargo goes straight to your warehouse or branch without another handoff.
What to check before you choose a logistics company
Customs accreditation
For imports and exports, ask whether the company is accredited with the Bureau of Customs (BOC). Impextic is accredited with the BOC.
Whether they own the trucks
Many companies subcontract the trucking. Owning the fleet means the company controls scheduling and handling, and you have one company accountable for the delivery. Impextic runs its own trucks.
Where the warehouses are
Storage close to your customers shortens deliveries. Ask where the warehouses are and how goods get from the warehouse to your branches. Impextic has warehouses in Metro Manila (Pasig), Cebu, Davao and Iloilo, covering Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
How they price
Ask what is included in the rate. For managed warehousing and distribution, Impextic charges one flat monthly rate for an agreed scope of storage and delivery, so your costs stay predictable.
Visibility
Ask how you will see your stock and orders. Impextic's logistics system gives warehousing clients visibility of stored inventory and orders 24/7.
Track record
Ask how long the company has operated and who it has worked for. Impextic started in 2009, was incorporated with the SEC in 2011, and has served more than 400 clients, including 7-Eleven, Smart and PLDT.
One partner or several?
You can hire a freight forwarder, a trucker and a warehouse separately, but then you coordinate them yourself. A single partner that handles freight, trucking and storage removes the handoffs: freight in, trucked to a warehouse, delivered to the branch.
How to get a quote
Send the origin, destination, cargo type, weight and dimensions, and when it must arrive. For trucking, add the pickup and drop-off points and the schedule. Our sales team replies by email with a rate and the transit time.
Frequently asked questions
What does a logistics company in the Philippines do?
It moves and stores goods for you: international air and sea freight, trucking between ports, warehouses and branches, warehousing and distribution, and specialised work such as IT equipment deployment and pullouts.
Should I use one logistics company or several?
Using one company for freight, trucking and storage cuts the number of handoffs, and you have one team accountable for the shipment. Several specialists can work if you are willing to coordinate them yourself.
Is Impextic accredited with the Bureau of Customs?
Yes. Impextic is accredited with the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
Which areas does Impextic cover?
Nationwide. Our head office is in Mandaluyong City and our warehouses are in Pasig, Cebu, Davao and Iloilo, covering Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
How long does a shipment take?
It depends on the route, the mode and the cargo. Send us the details and our sales team will reply by email with a rate and the transit time for your shipment.