Introduction: As overseas warehouse demand surges in 2025, the market is set for a new phase of transformation. The acceleration of e-commerce platforms’ semi-managed models and the upcoming cancellation of the duty-free policy for air-shipped e-commerce parcels are driving more sellers to adopt an overseas warehouse model with multi-channel distribution. The demand for direct-to-consumer overseas warehouses has also grown rapidly.
With more sellers entering the overseas warehouse market, the potential for a market bubble in the short term is a point of concern. In the first half of 2025, many businesses will focus on establishing new warehouses or expanding existing ones overseas. As a large number of new warehouses become operational in the second half of the year, a new round of price competition is expected. To attract sellers, many new warehouses may offer incentives such as waiving first-mile shipping fees or providing rent-free periods. As more warehouses enter the market each month, price competition will intensify, potentially leading to market volatility and short-term disruptions.
The future of overseas warehouses will trend towards larger scales, increased automation, and vertical specialization. Leading companies will leverage warehouse clusters or integrated warehousing and distribution models to enhance operational efficiency and invest more in intelligent equipment. Mid-sized companies, on the other hand, will likely focus on differentiating themselves in specific regions or markets, refining customer segments around niche categories and industries, such as large furniture, home appliances, outdoor equipment, and energy storage products.
Despite their limited scale, small family-run warehouses still have significant potential for growth by offering customized services. With a “small but beautiful” operational model, small overseas warehouses are well-positioned to provide personalized services and cater to unique customer needs, making them a valuable segment in the market.
However, a common challenge for companies remains the shortage of specialized talent. While setting up overseas warehouses is relatively easy, finding qualified and reliable professionals in the cross-border e-commerce and logistics sectors remains difficult. As artificial intelligence and robotics technology rapidly advance, the future of overseas warehouses may increasingly focus on automation and unmanned operations. Developing intelligent and unmanned warehouses will become a key challenge for the industry moving forward.