Nearshore your supply chain six miles from the U.S. border — under IMMEX and bonded-warehouse compliance. North American lead times in days, not the weeks of offshore manufacturing.
From our Tijuana facility — six miles from the Otay Mesa crossing — what ships out is across the border and in the U.S. the same day, managed end-to-end as one integrated, tech-based operation.
The model
For a manufacturer scaling into the U.S., it's the difference between juggling vendors and running one accountable, cross-border operation.
Contract logistics is a long-term, dedicated outsourcing model in which a single provider manages a manufacturer's warehousing, cross-border distribution, customs, and value-added operations under one integrated agreement. Unlike transactional 3PL, it is built around fixed scope, defined service levels, and a multi-year partnership — giving manufacturers predictable cost and a single point of accountability for their North American supply chain.
The IMMEX landscape has tightened. Annex 24 inventory rules are stricter, enforcement has escalated, and digital-first compliance requirements are coming. For manufacturers, cross-border logistics is no longer just a cost question — it's a compliance-risk question.
Most manufacturers don't have the in-house bandwidth to absorb that risk while running production. That's the gap a contract logistics partner fills: we operate the bonded, IMMEX-compliant infrastructure so your team can stay focused on building product — not managing customs exposure.
The model
Same warehouse footprint, fundamentally different relationship. Here's what changes when you move from pay-per-use to a dedicated agreement.
| Transactional 3PL | Contract Logistics | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Warehousing & shipping | Warehousing, customs, cross-border, VAS, returns — integrated |
| Cost structure | Variable, fluctuates with volume | Predictable, defined by SLA |
| Accountability | Multiple vendors, split responsibility | Single point of accountability |
| Compliance | Client manages customs / IMMEX exposure | Provider operates under IMMEX & bonded compliance |
| Best for | Seasonal or low-volume needs | Manufacturers scaling North American operations |
One accountable team
Order processing, inspection, and customs all run through a single in-house team in real time — not handed across vendors. One point of accountability for your cross-border operation, with live visibility into every order.
What's included
Duty-deferred import of materials and components, operated under compliant infrastructure.
Six miles from the Otay Mesa crossing — short, predictable transit into U.S. distribution, days instead of trans-Pacific weeks.
Clearance and documentation handled under one roof, not handed off.
Kitting, light assembly, packaging, and product inspection for regulated industries.
Quality inspection and product recovery handled cross-border.
For electronics and regulated medical-device inventory.
Inside the facility
From inbound to cross-border dispatch, your inventory moves through a single connected operation — automated material handling, real-time inventory visibility, and in-line inspection — all run by our team under one roof in Tijuana.
Lateral operates under IMMEX certification and bonded-warehouse status, with customs brokerage in-house.
The compliance infrastructure is already in place — you don't build it, you plug into it.
Built for
Three deeper dives, depending on what you make.
Temperature-controlled, high-security storage with product inspection and compliance-ready handling for regulated supply chains.
ExploreSecure, fully traceable storage with kitting and controlled handling for high-value aerospace components.
ExploreHigh-value inventory, kitting and light assembly, secure storage, and the speed to serve U.S. markets from the corridor.
ExploreSequenced, just-in-time supply with sub-assembly and cross-border flow tuned to production lines.
ExploreOnboarding
We map your product flow, volumes, and compliance needs.
Fixed scope, defined service levels, transparent cost.
Systems connected, first inbound received, operations live.
A defined scope and service-level agreement means you know exactly what you're getting — before you commit.
FAQ
Contract logistics is a long-term outsourcing model where one provider manages warehousing, distribution, customs, and value-added services for a manufacturer under a single multi-year agreement with defined service levels — replacing the fragmented, pay-per-use approach of transactional 3PL.
A standard 3PL is typically transactional and short-term, focused on storage and shipping. Contract logistics is a dedicated, multi-year partnership with integrated scope, predictable cost, and a single point of accountability — including customs and compliance.
IMMEX is Mexico's export-manufacturing program that allows duty-deferred import of materials and components for goods destined for export. Operating under IMMEX-compliant infrastructure lets manufacturers reduce duty costs and manage cross-border compliance risk through their logistics partner instead of in-house.
From the San Diego–Tijuana corridor — six miles from the Otay Mesa border crossing — goods clear into the U.S. and reach North American distribution in days, compared with the weeks of trans-Pacific lead times typical of offshore manufacturing.
Primarily regulated and high-value manufacturing — medical devices, aerospace, electronics & hi-tech, and automotive — sectors that need secure storage, value-added services, and compliance-ready handling.
Yes. Customs coordination is handled in-house, and reverse logistics — including quality inspection and product recovery — is managed cross-border under the same agreement.
Tell us your monthly volume and product mix — we'll map your compliance needs and cost, no commitment.