Venturing into the global market is an exciting step for any e-commerce business, but it often brings the challenge of managing high shipping costs. These costs not only deter potential customers but can also significantly impact your profit margins.

But fear not, we're here to help you tackle this with 3 effective strategies, to help you reduce these expenses and boost your global sales.

1. Pack Smart to Reduce Weight and Dimensions

Optimising your packaging is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to cut shipping costs dramatically. It's crucial to consider both the actual and the volumetric weight of your parcels to determine the most cost-effective way to optimise each package.

For items requiring cushioning without significantly increasing package size, dense foam inserts are an excellent choice. They provide superb protection and are designed to be compact, which helps keep the volumetric weight low—a key factor in managing shipping costs.

For less fragile items where reducing actual weight is more critical than minimising dimensions, lightweight materials such as air pillows or packing peanuts can be effective. These materials are ideal for filling empty spaces in boxes without adding significant weight, thus optimising the actual weight of the shipment.

For non-fragile items, polymailers offer a great alternative to boxes; they are lightweight and significantly reduce both weight and volume during shipping.

We recommend you tape all loose ends of the polymailer tightly to maintain the most compact dimensions for your shipment. This approach helps minimise the volumetric weight and can further lower your shipping costs.

Efficient Packaging by JustShip

2. Choosing the Right Shipping Service

Choosing the right shipping service is crucial for e-commerce businesses looking to balance cost and customer satisfaction. Different customers have different needs: some prioritize speedy delivery even if it costs a bit more, while others prefer a more economical, slower service. The value of the items being shipped also plays a big role in deciding which option to choose.

For high-value items, opting for premium shipping services might be more cost-effective in the long run. These services often come with better handling, insurance, and tracking capabilities, reducing the likelihood of lost shipments and ensuring customer satisfaction. This approach not only secures your products but can also build trust with your customers, encouraging repeat business.

On the other hand, for less expensive products, economising on shipping costs can be more appropriate. Cheaper shipping options can significantly reduce overheads without compromising the delivery experience, especially if customers are not in a hurry.

It's important to analyse your product range and shipping history to determine which strategy aligns best with your business needs. Implementing a flexible shipping strategy that adapts to both the value of the goods and customer preferences can lead to substantial savings and enhanced customer satisfaction.

3. Avoid Unexpected Fees

Unexpected fees like duties & taxes and returns charges can quickly add up and make international shipping much more expensive than anticipated.

Utilise tools to pre-screen your shipments for compliance issues. For instance, JustShip's AI Shipment Review tool can help identify potential problems before shipments leave your warehouse, reducing the risk of costly delays.

JustShip’s AI Shipment Review

Our shipment form also alerts you to possible taxes and duties, allowing you to budget more effectively and avoid surprises.

JustShip’s duties & taxes breakdown

By ensuring upfront compliance, you can reduce costly returns and keep your customers satisfied.

Conclusion

Reducing international shipping costs is crucial for maintaining profitability and competitiveness in global markets.

By implementing the strategies outlined above, not only can you reduce overheads, but you can also enhance the satisfaction of your customers. These adjustments to your shipping strategy are essential in fostering a competitive edge and driving your business's growth.

Ready to optimise your shipping processes? Connect with a JustShip expert today and start transforming your international shipping strategy for better efficiency and cost savings.