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Mastering Shipping Savings: Reducing Dimensional Weight and Exploring Various Carriers

July 27, 2023

Tired of spending a small fortune on shipping?

Finding affordable, quality, and durable shipping options can seem daunting if you aren’t sure where to start. Thankfully there’s no need to sacrifice quality, durability, or packaging time in order to save on cost.

So let's talk tips and tricks for creating quality shipping experience for your customers that is both affordable and presentable!

Save by Saying "Goodbye" to Bubble Wrap!

The overall size and weight of your package along with shipping destination are the main factors when determining your shipping rate.

The cost of shipping can quickly add up when packing with filler materials like bubble wrap and packing peanuts. Not only are they expensive but they often times require the need for large boxes in order to both fit your products and enough bubble wrap or packing peanuts to protect them.

If you're not careful, you may end up with an overall package size and weight that costs you more to ship compared to using a Flush box.

At Flush, we do packaging a bit differently than most! All of our shipping boxes are designed to safely ship without the need for filler materials like bubble wrap or packing peanuts. Each shipping box is designed around specific vessel dimensions to hold the vessel securely while shipping. So long as you’re using the vessel sizing that the box is created for, they’ll save you considerable fulfillment time and dramatically lessen the likelihood of breakage while shipping!

How to Save On Shipping Cost For Box Orders

Boxes by nature are large/bulky and carry higher shipping costs than a lot of smaller and lighter items. As such, unfortunately buying boxes from some companies can end up becoming impractically expensive.

To address this, We place particular emphasis on packing every order as efficiently as possible. This helps keep dimensional weight and shipping costs at an absolute minimum.

Shipping costs per unit are also typically highest at the lower tier volumes and decrease as a percentage of cart value/unit cost if you're able to stock up!

Try Out Various Shipping Carriers

We’re all creatures of habit. However, many e-commerce brands tend to get stuck in a cycle of using the same shipping carrier, unaware that switching carriers may save them money. Different carriers have various pricing structures, service levels, and geographic coverage. By comparing rates and services, you can find the most cost-effective option for each shipment.

Let's explore some popular carriers and their potential advantages:

United States Postal Service (USPS):

USPS is often the most budget-friendly option for small orders, typically up to 3 lbs or so and depending on where you're shipping to. If you're shipping small, lightweight items - this is a good place to start.
Priority Mail and Priority Mail Flat Rate options can be great for speedy deliveries at competitive rates.

United Parcel Service (UPS):

UPS is known for its reliability and extensive worldwide network.
UPS offers various services, including ground, air, and international shipping, making it suitable for a wide range of shipping needs.
Consider UPS SurePost, a service that utilizes UPS for long-haul transport and then hands over the package to USPS for final delivery, which can be a cost-effective option for some shipments.

FedEx:

FedEx is recognized for its fast delivery services, making it ideal for time-sensitive shipments.
FedEx One Rate can offer predictable pricing for packages up to a certain weight, which can simplify cost calculations.

Other Considerations When Comparing Shipping Carriers

UPS and FedEx can be quite competitive when it comes to larger packages that aren't necessarily a good fit for USPS. This is where it makes sense to consider both simultaneously.

You may also want to consider other aspects of each carrier - like customer service and how they handle missing packages and claims. In our experience, it's best to reach out to your local UPS and/or FedEx representative to learn more and begin developing a relationship with them.

Conclusion

Shipping costs can significantly impact your budget, but by employing strategic approaches, you can successfully reduce expenses while maintaining efficient delivery services. Understanding dimensional weight and optimizing packaging practices can lead to substantial savings over time. Additionally, exploring various carriers, such as USPS, UPS, FedEx, allows you to find the best deals for different types of shipments. By implementing these money-saving strategies, you can elevate your shipping process and improve customer satisfaction while positively affecting your bottom line.

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