Shipping is a complicated process. You need to know how much it costs to ship your goods, what carriers will be best for your company, and how long it will take for your product to arrive at its destination. However, there are some ways that you can shave off the cost of shipping without compromising on quality or speed.
Here are five simple ways for shippers to save money while shipping freight.
1. Measure Your Cargo Accurately
Knowing how to measure your shipment accurately is key to keeping shipping costs down.
The size of a package is an important factor in determining shipping costs and can have a significant impact on how much you pay to get your products delivered. If a shipment is too large for its container or if it’s not properly packed, the shipper may charge you extra fees or refuse to accept it altogether.
To avoid these problems, make sure that all your packages are properly measured before they leave your warehouse or factory floor, and click the link below to learn exactly how to measure your cargo.
How to Measure Cargo Dimensions Properly
2. Utilize Your Freight Carrier’s Technology
Today’s logistics technology provides many conveniences and automations that can help you reduce shipping costs. For example, Ground Force Logistics has an online quoting system that allows you to plug in your shipment information online and quickly get a variety of shipping options so you can choose the best option at the best rate.
3. Minimize LTL Transfers When Possible
Minimizing the number of times your load is transferred from one truck to another is an important step toward reducing shipping costs. The more times your shipment is transferred, the more you’ll be charged for each transfer. This can quickly add up and make a significant impact on your bottom line.
4. Account for Accessorial Fees
Accessorial fees are additional charges that are added to your shipping cost. These fees can be for things like:
- Documentation, including customs forms and declarations
- Freight and trucking costs for non-truckload shipments (LTL)
- Insurance coverage on high-value or hazardous goods, such as pharmaceuticals or perishables
- Weekend delivery
- Liftgate use
- Inside delivery
As you can imagine, these charges can add up quickly! To prevent unexpected accessorial fees, always communicate all your shipment’s requirements entirely when getting your shipping quote.
5. Choose a Smarter Logistics Company to Save Money on Freight
When keeping shipping costs down is top of mind, the best route you can take is to choose the right logistics company.
When you choose Ground Force Logistics, our team of logistics experts works with you to determine the best shipping method for your freight to keep costs down. We’ll also be able to identify opportunities for faster transit times or additional savings in transit fees, which could mean big savings for your business.
To start reducing your shipping costs now, click here to get in touch with one of our logistics experts.