1. Significant differences in logistics environment

The primary challenge facing international logistics lies in the significant differences in logistics environments across countries, particularly in terms of the soft logistics environment. Different countries have their own unique laws and regulations related to logistics, making the operation of international logistics far more complex than domestic logistics. For instance, in some countries, there are strict environmental standards for packaging materials of goods. If exporting enterprises fail to comply with these standards, the goods may encounter obstacles or even be returned in the importing country. Furthermore, the uneven levels of economic and technological development among countries result in international logistics operating under different technological conditions. In some less developed regions, there may be a lack of advanced logistics information technology, which undoubtedly affects the operational efficiency of the entire international logistics system. Additionally, the inconsistency of standards across countries, ranging from the dimensions of logistics equipment to the specifications of cargo labels, poses great difficulties for the unified construction of the international logistics system. Simultaneously, the customs and humanities of different countries also have a profound impact on international logistics. For instance, some countries have special regulations regarding the import time of specific goods and religious taboos. Enterprises must fully consider these factors when conducting international logistics business.

2. The system is extensive and complex in scope
The scope of the international logistics system is extremely broad. It not only encompasses numerous functional elements of logistics itself, such as transportation, warehousing, loading and unloading, packaging, and distribution processing, but also involves complex communication and collaboration with external parties. Compared to domestic logistics, international logistics requires crossing different countries, which means considering more internal and external factors, including political situations, trade policies, exchange rate fluctuations, etc. The significant increase in transportation distance extends the time goods spend in transit, and the uncertainties and risks during transportation also increase accordingly. For example, exporting goods from China to Europe may involve a long sea journey, during which various risks such as severe weather, pirate threats, and port congestion may be encountered. Moreover, international logistics also requires coordination among multiple participants such as customs, freight forwarders, and transportation companies in different countries. Any problems in any one of these links may affect the smooth progress of the entire logistics process.
3. Strict standardization requirements
In the field of international logistics, standardization is a crucial factor in ensuring smooth logistics operations. Without unified standards, it will be difficult to enhance the efficiency of international logistics. Taking logistics tools and facilities as an example, regions such as the United States and Europe have essentially achieved the adoption of a uniform specification of 1000×1200 millimeters for pallets, as well as several standard sizes for containers. This significantly improves the universality and interchangeability of goods during transportation, warehousing, and loading and unloading processes, reducing logistics costs and the difficulty of transshipment. In terms of logistics information transmission technology, European countries have not only achieved standardization within enterprises but also between enterprises and within the unified European market, making logistics information exchange among European countries more convenient and efficient. Countries that do not adhere to unified standards often require more time and expense in cargo transshipment, reloading, and other aspects, thereby weakening their competitiveness in the international market.
4. Rely on international information system support
An international information system is an indispensable and crucial support tool for international logistics, especially for international intermodal transportation. However, building such an information system faces numerous challenges. On the one hand, management is difficult due to the involvement of numerous participants from different countries and regions, requiring careful planning and strict management for information sharing, coordination, and security. On the other hand, the investment cost is substantial, necessitating the construction of a global information network and the development of advanced logistics information management software. Furthermore, there are disparities in the level of logistics information across different regions of the world, with some areas being highly informationized while others lag behind, making it more challenging to build a unified and efficient international logistics information system. Currently, a more effective solution is to connect with the public information systems of various countries' customs, so as to grasp the actual situation of ports, airports, intermodal routes, and stations in a timely manner, providing strong support for logistics decision-making. For example, by obtaining real-time information such as cargo handling progress at ports and flight departure and arrival times, enterprises can reasonably arrange cargo transportation and distribution plans, enhancing logistics efficiency.