Depending on what type of ecommerce business you have, you might consider shipping items internationally in bulk. There could be a number of reasons for this, and a few things could be meant by a “bulk shipment”.
Nevertheless, bulk shipping is fundamentally about meeting international demand and keeping shipping costs down. At the most basic level, it is easy to see how bulk shipments can be good when the demand is high (more products going) or when costs need to be minimized (fewer shipments made).
However, there are many other advantages to bulk shipments, and there are just as many ways of going about it. Preferred Shipping, a DHL express reseller and shipping company, say that more bulk shipments from a company generally means greater demand for the products.
There is a way to go about making bulk shipments, some advice, and many tips that only apply in specific cases. For any ecommerce company looking to reach its niche all over the world though, bulk shipments are ideal.
Advantages of Shipping in Bulk
Before getting on to the tips, here is a short run down of all the advantages of shipping in bulk:
Send More for Less
Touched on above, bulk shipping is perfect when you have a lot of goods to ship, and which can be shipped together for at least some of the way. Bulk simply means less shipments, and that keeps the costs down. This is something that can be especially useful when you are shipping internationally.
Nearly Always Possible
You have probably already heard of consolidated shipping; the same thing can be applied when you’re shipping internationally and in bulk. It is nearly always possible, simply because it doesn’t need to only be your produce which is being shipped in the bulk load. If you can squeeze your products onto a bulk shipment, you pay a fraction of the cost.
Can be Standard and Regular
For cash flow, it is always helpful if your costs do not vary too much month on month. With bulk shipping, you can stick to a particular bulk size and then be aware that this is what you’ll be paying for each time you make a shipment.
Tips for Shipping in Bulk
Such are the advantages of bulk shipping, and it is certainly an option for even small- and medium-sized ecommerce companies. However, there is a way to go about it. Follow these tips to succeed:
Consider Import Restrictions and Tariffs
These can all vary depending on what products you are sending. Of course, you could potentially be sending many different products in one bulk shipment, which then needs to enter a foreign port and be split up from there. Accordingly, this takes some working out, with information about everything you are sending and everywhere it is going being taken into account. Be sure to plan this carefully.
Pack Smart
The packaging of each individual product should be decided with deference to overall weight (which will affect price) and the size. If you pack more tightly, you can potentially fit more products onto one bulk shipment. And, of course, safety for the cargo during transit is also a vital concern here.
Consider Maritime Security
Make sure that the shipping service you are using is sending your products on ships which conform to all the relevant maritime security systems that help track ships, freight, and keep them safe. Some of these are even legal requirements, so research and careful planning is necessary here too.
Bulk shipment is a great idea for ecommerce companies looking to expand globally. With enough forethought and planning, it can be very cost-effective too.
