Third-party logistics is often called "contract logistics", "outsourcing logistics" or "contract logistics" in foreign countries, which is a concept that appeared in developed countries in Europe and the United States only in the mid-1980s. China's definition of third-party logistics is: the business model of logistics services provided by logistics enterprises other than the supply side and the demand side.

Third-party logistics is often called "contract logistics", "outsourcing logistics" or "contract logistics" in foreign countries, which is a concept that appeared in developed countries in Europe and the United States only in the mid-1980s. China's definition of third-party logistics is: the business model of logistics services provided by logistics enterprises other than the supply side and the demand side.

The following points should be grasped to understand third-party logistics:

① The operating body of third-party logistics is a third party, which is neither the producer itself or the owner of the goods, nor the end user. The products it provides are not owned by itself, which is the most basic connotation of third-party logistics.

② Third-party logistics services are logistics activities based on modern technology, including functional technology and information technology that support the realisation of logistics service processes, of which the support of electronic information technology is particularly important. These technical supports can fully meet the technical needs of the process of integrated operation, visualisation and monitoring, and personalised services for all or part of the logistics needs of customers.

(iii) The relationship between the third-party logistics provider and the customer is a modern economic relationship, which is embodied in the legal form of a contract. Modern economic relations include personalised services, the establishment of inter-firm strategic alliances and business alliances between two or more parties, and the use of contracts to regulate the long-term partnership between two or more parties, which can generally be established for one to five years or longer.