Given the importance of logistic service providers and the existence of a lack in the definition frontiers among the different Party Logistics - PLs (1PL, 2PL, 3PL, 4PL and 5PL), the present dissertation presents a methodology proposal to classify these Party Logistics based on an exploratory study supported by an analysis in the academic literature. The methodology uses the following concepts: logistic complexity, contract types, investment characteristics, governance forms, relationships types, responsible for the service execution, capabilities, competitive advantage, and value aggregation. The transaction cost theory and the resource-based view help in the elaboration of the methodology. The characteristics are associated to the PLs towards defining them and indicating a clear frontier among each of them.