It doesn’t get any easier from here.
Making international shipping can bite you off monetarily in many ways.
The procedure of moving parcels seems simple, but addressing unanticipated events makes it complex.
Because of this, there is a higher chance that your shipping costs will be higher than you imagine. For an e-commerce firm that sends packages frequently or a family sending supplies to their son abroad, shipping fees can add up if you don’t check.
However, the good news is that you have a way to work around it and we are here to spill some secret sauce of reducing your shipment costs in 10 ways.
1. Slaying with your negotiation skills
You don’t get what you want unless you ask for it.
When you begin to accept everything on the first go, you are also equally fructified to settle for less.
Start negotiating with the respective dealers for a better price so that it creates a win-win situation for both of you.
The negotiated rates have always been proven to ease your up on your spending on the shipments, helping you to save better.
2. Compare and contrast between operators
Don’t choose to settle completely unless you have roamed around a bit.
Accordingly, always throw in a comparison chart between the different operators, spotting the pros and cons featuring their quality of services against the price they offer.
Asking about bulk discounts and seasonal pricing will help you decide whether to continue a long-term connection.
Pro-Tip: Compare regional and well-known providers’ service quality. Sometimes a renowned regional service provider like Brown Post can offer economical shipment options and high-quality service.
3. Bundling up shipments
Are you still shipping your packages separately? You are getting yourself wounded a bit more again.
Try to consolidate your shipments, which can benefit you in availing the bulk discounts and offers, saving your expenses immensely. If your e-commerce company requires regular parcel movement, you can choose a reputable provider that offers incentives for big shipment orders.
4. Applying dimensional weight pricing
For the longest time, the golden rule of shipments has been ‘big size, higher cost’.
Thanks to the concept of dimensional-weight pricing where you are charged for the size of the packages and not the weight of it.
The best way to utilise the opportunity is by using lightweight packages with sturdy materials.
Even if you want to send fragile items that require special handling, you can choose to go with poly mailers instead of choosing the big boxes.
5. Avail help from the 3PL Logistics provider
When there is too much on your plate, accommodating one more gets more overwhelming.
Similarly, the thought of even finding an affordable courier partner could make you feel very consumed when you have multiple shipments to handle by yourself.
Here comes your rescue partner, the third-party logistics provider, who can sort you with their pre-negotiated bulk shipment rates. Having a wide range of delivery partners within their network helps you save a huge sum of money.
Moreover, their extensive capabilities to handle warehousing or fulfilment gives you an upper edge in making an informed decision.
6. Optimised packaging efforts
It all depends on the way you do it.
Believe it or not, the way of packaging either levies or sets you free from incurring additional costs on shipping.
Correspondingly, the utilisation of large-sized packages might increase the filler costs or even lead to damage to the product.
Most importantly, taking up huge spaces with the inappropriate size of the packages might further level up the cost. Hence, to cut down the costs, it is essential to use package sizes that are lightweight and not too heavy.
7. Use of prepaid services
Availing prepaid services is one of the wisest choices to deal with the increasing shipping costs.
This will help you in preventing yourself from getting tied down with hidden charges. Therefore, by using prepaid services, you escape a complex trail of intervention from the service operators by surrendering the complete process to them.
8. Use third-party insurance
Let your trust be assured with a third person.
One of the major expenses linked with your shipping is costs are the ones associated with replacements for the lost packages.
Insurance aid is available from many service delivery partners but third-party assistance is cheaper.
9. Research on local customs and regulations
The complexity can be dismantled from deep research.
Customs, being a very intricate process of the international shipment journey, add a significant amount of costs if it doesn’t get cleared up in a single attempt.
To avoid such last-minute hassles, you must do a proper background check on the local customs traditions and regulations.
10. Planning ahead
A well-directed plan equals half victory.
Many times, last-minute hitches are one of the significant reasons for experiencing escalated costs with your shipment.
On the contrary, if your shipments are planned ahead, they will naturally follow a seamless procedure without any interference.
Wrap-Up
Spending on International shipping doesn’t have to be like a king’s ransom.
Any problem comes its way to arrive at a solution. Having a strategic approach- starting from a proper negotiation, till having a well-prepared plan, you are entitled to apply some of the above ten ways to cut down the extra costs associated with international shipments.
Thinking about making a cross-border shipment? Panic not, as now you are already abreast of the potential cost-based loopholes.
