Choose the right packaging
Packaging is important not only when it comes to air freight, but also to protect your goods from possible damage caused by mishandling or during transport, for example during transportation from the warehouse to the shipping port.
If your items are shipped directly to the customer, packaging also creates a good first impression. Carefully designed packaging can give your customers the impression that you are professional, attentive to quality and care about their buying experience.
Choose the right packaging for your product based on its protection and presentation needs. Packaging can also affect shipping costs, with heavier packaging costing more and lighter packaging being more eco-friendly. Ultimately, packaging is a crucial part of your shipping strategy and customer experience, so consider all aspects to provide the best experience for your customers.
When selecting your packaging, you have the choice of different options, including:
- Utility-oriented packaging
- Standard packaging
- Branded packaging
When it comes to standard packaging, the most common alternatives include the following:
- Wooden crates
- Insulated shipping boxes
- Corrugated pads
- Multi-depth boxes
- Bulk cargo boxes
- Side loaders
- Easy fold covers etc.
The choice of container differs, obviously, and typically most carriers opt for the option that will not eat a lot into their profit margin. In the case of LCL (less than a container load) or FCL (full container load) shipments, make sure your consignment adheres to the CTU code.
For shipments within China, it is also important to consider the mode of transportation. If you have a smaller shipment, LTL (less than truckload) may be more cost-effective, while larger shipments may require FTL (full truckload) to ensure timely delivery. Regardless of the mode of transportation, it is essential to work with a reputable logistics provider like DocShipper to ensure the safe and timely delivery of your goods.
Opt for a road freight services in China with systems capabilities
Unlike years gone by, tracing where your freight is in the supply chain is very important these days. Ditto knowing inventory levels by location and what is expected to move from your suppliers.
Thatâs because you need to plan for arrivals or delays, and without proper tracking of shipments, entire shipments can be disrupted.
Therefore, when choosing your freight options, you want to make sure the provider youâre considering going with is able and willing to create a deeper level of partnership before signing up with them.
Choosing a road freight forwarder in China or opting for a provider to handle logistics
As you probably know by now, there are many processes involved in shipping that need to be worked out before the shipment can begin its journey to your preferred destination.
To avoid sweating the small stuff yourself and ensure everything is sorted out successfully, you could opt to work with a freight forwarder with the necessary experience of shipping goods from China. That is, assuming your trucking service provider does not render this service.
A freight forwarder or some trucking service providers will take care of all the documentation and logistical details so you donât have to.
Some local-based freight forwarders â or the trucking service providers themselves â are happy to organize the movement of your goods from the source to the port for shipping, as well as organizing the delivery of the consignment to the receiverâs warehouse when it reaches the destination country.
If it comes down to hiring a freight forwarder, choose someone reputable and with a good track record of ensuring the operation runs smoothly. In the event of an emergency, you want someone who can duly bring it to your attention and help in resolving the issue in a timely fashion without having you losing sleep from halfway across the world.
Ensure your goods are insured
A lot can happen from the time your goods leave the manufacturer or warehouse. Getting the proper cargo insurance helps you sleep better at night knowing your consignment is protected against potential loss or damage.
There are plenty of third-parties that can provide insurance cover for your shipments. As the cargo owner, it is your responsibility to ensure your shipment is insured.
If youâre working with a freight forwarder, make sure you two are on the same page as far as ensuring the consignment is insured for its particular worth. Never assume that the forwarders are privy to the exact worth of your cargo.
Consider consolidating your shipment
Consolidating is all about bundling the various consignments from multiple manufacturers or suppliers into a single fully loaded container (FCL) which is then shipped to the destination country as is.
When the FCL arrives at its destination, it can then be deconsolidated by the receiving agent into the original individual cargo components upon which the consignees (if the shipment is destined for multiple recipients) can pick up their cargo.
Consolidating your cargo comes with a host of benefits, including the ability to cut shipping costs, reducing the risk of damage to the merchandise, and improving supervision and standard quality control.
Choose off-peak shipping season if you can
Lastly, another thing you might want to keep in mind when choosing your trucking service and road freight shipping options is the time of shipping.
Barring the disruption that was brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, shipping season usually falls under certain peak seasons which affect not just sea cargo, but the entire supply chain.
Peak season falls twice a year:
- January to February Chinese New Year
- Mid-August to mid-October
During this time, the demand will be high as the supply correspondingly declines, and thereâs a scarcity of containers â all of which contribute to soaring costs. So, thatâs something you might want to keep in mind.
