4 Ways to Reduce Your Business Shipping Costs
For many small businesses, shipping is one of the most significant costs. Whether you deliver goods internationally or ship your products locally, considerable costs are associated with freight, transport, fuel, packaging, and postage.
If you're not careful, these expenses can become overwhelming and threaten to eat up your profits. So explore the unique opportunities Mexico offers businesses looking to improve their packaging costs. Here are four practical ways to reduce your business shipping costs to get you started.
Talk to multiple shipping carriers
If you transport large quantities of goods a long way, you will no doubt need to employ the services of a shipping company to get your cargo where it needs to be at the right time. There are so many different carriers available worldwide to meet a variety of different needs. And it’s worth negotiating with multiple carriers to find the best deal for your business. If shipping internationally, an air freight company might be quicker and more efficient. Consider services like Plexus Freight Chinese freight forwarding services, for instance, which offer specialized options for different routes. On the other hand, ocean freight shipping is simple and cost-effective as long as you can handle the longer shipping time. Ask each carrier for quotes, and don’t be afraid to walk away if they can’t provide you with the deal you’re looking for. You
closely scrutinize the contracts to ensure no hidden charges or loopholes. By doing this, you should be able to establish a shipping agreement (or fraktavtal if you're shipping in Sweden) that works well for you.
Be more fuel-efficient
If your company has a fleet of transportation and delivery vehicles, fuel is undoubtedly one of your most significant expenses. While there’s no getting away from the fact that you need it to get your goods to their destination, there are ways you can reduce the amount you need. Purchasing a fleet of more fuel-efficient vehicles might be an extreme expense, but it will save you money in the long run. In the short term, another option would be to train your drivers in more fuel-efficient driving techniques to reduce their gasoline consumption over long journeys. By implementing these strategies, you can look forward to significant fuel savings, positively impacting your bottom line. There are numerous ways to achieve this, such as accelerating gently, coasting to decelerate, and refraining from idling while stationary.
You can buy postage supplies in bulk.
Individually, postage supplies such as cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, tape, and other packing materials don’t cost a lot. Still, they can eat a tremendous chunk out of your budget in large quantities. By buying these supplies in bulk, you can negotiate a much better deal and spend less money each month. Some shipping companies will provide postage supplies to companies at a discount, so it is worth doing some research to see if you can find a good deal.
Insure with a third-party
When shipping valuable goods, taking out insurance is a no-brainer, and most shipping companies provide this service as an add-on. Yet there is a good chance they are ramping up their prices for the added convenience. You can save much of your money by taking out a policy with a third-party shipping insurance provider. In some cases, it might be nearly half the price.