IFS Logistics
IFS Logistics (International First Service S.A.) is a privately held Latin American freight forwarder founded in 1993, providing maritime, air, and ground transport plus customs, insurance, and warehousing — with a specialized Wine & Spirits division — to exporters across Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay, supported by a global agent network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersBuenos Aires, Argentina
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What IFS Logistics does
IFS Logistics (legal name: International First Service S.A., incorporated in Uruguay) is a privately held international freight forwarder founded in 1993 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that provides integrated logistics services across maritime, air, and ground transport modes, supplemented by customs brokerage, cargo insurance, temperature-controlled warehousing, project cargo handling, and flexitank solutions for liquid bulk. The company operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries in six Latin American countries — Argentina (Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Córdoba), Uruguay (Montevideo, corporate domicile), Chile (Santiago), Colombia (Bogotá), Mexico (Ciudad de México), and Peru (Lima) — and extends global reach via a network of agent partners in major cities worldwide. A dedicated Wine & Spirits division in each office, combined with membership in the Wine & Spirits Logistics Alliance (WSLA) where IFS represents the alliance in Argentina and Chile, anchors the company's specialization in transporting wine and spirits from major Latin American production regions to global markets, including temperature-controlled, flexitank, and consolidation services.
IFS monetizes through transaction-fee freight forwarding (pricing is quote-based on cargo type, volume, weight, dimensions, mode, and destination, billed per shipment), professional-services customs clearance fees, and cargo insurance premiums with preferential rates issued via an online certificate system. The go-to-market is a sales-led, consultative B2B model delivered through owned regional offices, supported by digital channels including an educational website with incoterms and container reference content, social media presence, paid Google search and remarketing, and trade-fair participation (e.g., ProWein). The technology stack is conventional web-based tooling — online tracking via a Google Apps Script endpoint, online insurance certificate issuance, and online quote-request forms — with no proprietary AI/ML, no patents, and no disclosed integrations, APIs, or developer platform.
The company is founder/management controlled with no disclosed external investors, parent company, or institutional shareholders, and there is no evidence of recent funding rounds, acquisitions, or leadership changes; the most recent documented market entry was Peru in 2012. Headcount is reported at 51–100 employees, and revenue is not publicly disclosed. Pricing is fully custom with no public rate cards, and the customer base skews toward wine/spirits exporters (bodegas, importers, traders) with secondary exposure to general freight and bulk-liquid shippers; no named customer logos are publicly disclosed.
IFS Logistics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IFS Logistics
- Legal name
- INTERNATIONAL FIRST SERVICE S.A.
- Website
- https://logisticsifs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- IFS Logistics (International First Service S.A.) is a privately held Latin American freight forwarder founded in 1993, providing maritime, air, and ground transport plus customs, insurance, and warehousing — with a specialized Wine & Spirits division — to exporters across Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay, supported by a global agent network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IFS Logistics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International Freight Forwarding / Logistics Services
- NAICS
- Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Deep Sea Freight Transportation (483111), Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance (48423)
- SIC
- Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Water Transportation (4400), Deep Sea Foreign Transportation Of Freight (4412)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Project Cargo Logistics & Transport Management (TLADAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Breakbulk, Ro-Ro & Chartering (Heavy-Lift Vessels, Barges, Specialized Aircraft) (TLAIAKAC), Project Cargo Packing, Crating & Securing (Lashing/Dunnage) (TLAIAKAJ)
Keywords
Where IFS Logistics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Buenos Aires
- HQ country
- Argentina
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices8 records
Markets served
IFS Logistics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Freight Forwarding Services: International cargo transportation services across maritime, air, and ground transport modes. Revenue generated from shipping fees based on cargo volume, weight, and destination.
- Customs Clearance Services: Customs brokerage and documentation services including tariff classification, import/export permits, and regulatory compliance management.
- Cargo Insurance: Risk management and insurance services for cargo protection from origin to final destination worldwide.
- Storage and Warehousing: Warehouse services with temperature control for cargo requiring storage or consolidation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Quote-Based Pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
IFS Logistics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IFS Logistics provides international freight forwarding and integrated logistics services across maritime, air, and ground transport modes, complemented by specialized Wine & Spirits logistics, customs brokerage, cargo insurance, temperature-controlled warehousing, project cargo handling, and flexitank bulk liquid transport. Services are delivered through owned offices in six Latin American countries and a global network of agents, supported by web-based quote, tracking, and insurance tools.
Product overview
IFS Logistics is a freight forwarding company operating as a platform of integrated logistics and international cargo transportation services. The portfolio consists of three core transport services (Maritime, Air, and Land), supplemented by specialized Wine & Spirits logistics, temperature-controlled cargo handling, and value-added services including customs clearance, cargo insurance, end-to-end supply chain management, project cargo, and flexitank solutions. The company offers container fleet management with various container types and provides internet-based tracking capabilities. Services are delivered through owned offices across Latin America (Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Peru) supported by a global network of agents.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Transporte Marítimo (Maritime Freight Forwarding) Maritime freight forwarding services including FCL, LCL, consolidated shipments, reefer containers, flexitanks, and project cargo for oversized and heavy loads, for companies shipping internationally by sea.
- Transporte Aéreo (Air Freight) Air freight services for time-sensitive cargo including direct shipments, consolidated air cargo, dangerous goods, temperature-controlled shipments, perishables, charter flights, and live animal transport, for businesses requiring expedited international delivery.
- Transporte Terrestre (Road/Ground Transport) National and international road transport services including full truckload, groupage, project cargo, container transport, bulk solids and liquids, oversized and heavy cargo, dangerous goods, and live animal transport.
- Wine & Spirits Logistics Specialized division for wine and spirits transportation offering sea freight (FCL, LCL, flexitanks), air freight, temperature-controlled storage, stock management, consolidation, packaging, insurance, and worldwide distribution through WSLA partnership, targeting bodegas, importers, exporters, and traders.
- Despacho de Aduana (Customs Clearance) Customs brokerage and clearance services including advisory, import/export feasibility studies, tariff classification, official organism management, and outsourcing solutions, for companies needing regulatory compliance across borders.
- Seguro de Carga (Cargo Insurance) Cargo insurance services providing all-risk coverage (Type A) from origin to destination worldwide, with preferential rates and online certificate issuance, for shippers needing risk management.
- Logística Integral (Integrated Logistics / Supply Chain Management) End-to-end supply chain management including transport software, warehousing, inventory management, FOB delivery, packaging, labeling, documentation, and container consolidation, for companies seeking outsourced integrated logistics.
- Carga Proyecto (Project Cargo) Specialized logistics for oversized and heavy cargo requiring detailed planning, route analysis, risk prevention, technical deployment, and inspection at transfer points, for industrial and infrastructure clients.
- Flexitanks (Bulk Liquid Transport) Flexible bulk liquid transport solution within 20-foot standard containers with capacity of 10,000 to 24,000 liters, suitable for non-hazardous liquids including wine, glycerin, and oils.
- Carga Refrigerada y Perecederos (Cold Chain / Perishables) Cold chain logistics services including reefer container transport (sea/air/land), temperature control, atmospheric control, sourcing, planning, and distribution for perishable goods.
- Contenedores (Container Fleet) Various container types including Standard (20', 40', 40' HC, 45'), Open Top, Reefer, Conair (insulated), Isotank, Flat Rack, and Platform offered for different cargo requirements.
- Tracking y Rastreo (Internet-based Cargo Tracking) Internet-based cargo tracking and tracing service enabling customers to monitor shipment status via web throughout the transit lifecycle.
Quantifiable outcome
- Optimized inventory management through consolidation services
Companies that use IFS Logistics
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
IFS Logistics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
IFS Logistics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Wine & Spirits Logistics Alliance (WSLA)coreIFS Logistics is a member of WSLA and represents the association in Argentina and Chile. WSLA members are distinguished by their expertise in wine trade, providing IFS with enhanced global coverage and specialized wine logistics capabilities.
- Global Freight AgentscoreNetwork of prestigious freight forwarding agents in major cities worldwide, enabling IFS to provide global coverage for customers shipping to any destination worldwide.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights3 records
IFS Logistics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- DHL Global Forwarding: Global freight forwarding arm of Deutsche Post DHL Group with comprehensive air, ocean, and road freight services plus customs and supply chain solutions. A dominant incumbent that competes with IFS across all service lines, with significantly larger scale and global infrastructure.
- DB Schenker: German-based global logistics provider offering land, air, and ocean transport plus contract logistics. Competes with IFS in international freight forwarding and contract logistics, particularly for European-Latin American trade lanes relevant to wine and spirits exports.
- DSV Panalpina: Global transport and logistics provider formed via mergers including UTi and Panalpina. Offers air and sea freight forwarding, road transport, and contract logistics similar to IFS's portfolio, but at vastly greater scale and with deeper Latin American footprint post-UTi acquisition.
- Kuehne+Nagel: One of the world's largest freight forwarders with global multimodal capabilities. Competes with IFS in international air, ocean, and overland freight forwarding, though Kuehne+Nagel serves global enterprise customers while IFS focuses on Latin American mid-market and wine exporters.
Emerging players
- Flexport: US-based digitally-native freight forwarder offering air, ocean, and trucking services via a modern technology platform. Represents the digital-forwarder threat to traditional forwarders like IFS, though Flexport's product breadth and self-service model are still maturing for Latin American wine/spirits exporters.
Direct peers
- Expeditors International: Asset-light international freight forwarder with strong air and ocean forwarding capabilities and customs brokerage. Directly competes with IFS in international multimodal forwarding, though Expeditors is publicly traded and substantially larger in revenue and employee count.
- Agility Logistics: Kuwait-headquartered global freight forwarder with strong emerging markets presence including Latin America. Directly comparable to IFS as a multimodal forwarder, though at much larger scale and broader geographic coverage.
- BDP International: Privately-held US-based global freight forwarder with strong Latin American presence and chemical/industrial verticals. Directly comparable in size and structure to IFS, with similar focus on mid-market shippers and multimodal services, including significant Latin American operations.
- Senator International: Germany-based global freight forwarder with strong wine and spirits logistics expertise and global agent network. Comparable to IFS in wine/spirits specialization, but with broader geographic reach and European customer base.
Regional players
- Latin American Cargo (Transcargo): Argentina-based regional freight forwarder offering air, sea, and land transport services plus customs clearance. Comparable to IFS as a mid-sized Argentine forwarder, though with more limited regional office network and less wine/spirits specialization.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
IFS Logistics social profiles
Digital presenceIFS Logistics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IFS Logistics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
IFS Logistics subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
IFS Logistics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IFS Logistics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IFS Logistics
What does IFS Logistics do?
IFS Logistics provides international freight forwarding and integrated logistics services across maritime, air, and ground transport modes, complemented by specialized Wine & Spirits logistics, customs brokerage, cargo insurance, temperature-controlled warehousing, project cargo handling, and flexitank bulk liquid transport. Services are delivered through owned offices in six Latin American countries and a global network of agents, supported by web-based quote, tracking, and insurance tools.
Is IFS Logistics a public or private company?
IFS Logistics is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was IFS Logistics founded?
IFS Logistics was founded in 1993. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is IFS Logistics based?
IFS Logistics is headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the Latin America region.
How does IFS Logistics make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Freight Forwarding Services are the primary driver. The others are customs Clearance Services, cargo Insurance and storage and Warehousing.
Who are IFS Logistics's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are DHL Global Forwarding, DB Schenker, DSV Panalpina and Kuehne+Nagel. Flexport is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Expeditors International, Agility Logistics, BDP International and Senator International. Latin American Cargo (Transcargo) is listed as a regional player.
Does IFS Logistics have an API?
No public API is recorded for IFS Logistics.
What industry is IFS Logistics in?
IFS Logistics's product category is International Freight Forwarding / Logistics Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLADAGAB, Project Cargo Logistics & Transport Management, with a secondary code of TLAIAKAC, Breakbulk, Ro-Ro & Chartering (Heavy-Lift Vessels, Barges, Specialized Aircraft). Its NAICS code is 488510 and its SIC code is 4731.