For independent store sellers, “shipping” is like an “invisible assassin” hidden behind the profit statement – even though they have a good eye for product selection and good advertising, when the accounts are calculated, 30% or even more of the profits are swallowed up by logistics costs.
It costs 150 yuan to send 1kg of goods to the United States by international express delivery yourself. If you wrap more tape around when packing, you will have to pay an extra 5 yuan for the shipping fee. When there is an error in the documents during customs clearance, not only will a fine be paid, but a full refund must also be given to the customer… These seemingly scattered costs are quietly dragging down your cross-border business. The emergence of freight forwarders is precisely the key to helping you escape the “shipping cost trap”.
The core advantage of freight forwarders in shipping lies in their ability to help you save money from three dimensions: cost, efficiency and risk. Every penny saved is a real profit.
From the perspective of cost, freight forwarders can obtain wholesale prices from logistics providers by virtue of their “volume advantage”, which is 30% to 50% cheaper than individual shipping. More importantly, freight forwarders can match the best channels based on the characteristics of the products: light and small stress-relieving toys are sent in dedicated small packages, large kitchen gadgets are sent in sea freight consolidation containers, and sensitive beauty products are sent in special customs clearance routes – these detailed options are hard for individuals to access, but they can ensure that the freight cost per gram of goods is spent where it counts, avoiding the waste of “shipping by sea at air freight rates”.
- In terms of efficiency, freight forwarders can help you save a lot of “ineffective time costs”. An independent website seller with an average of 30 orders per day spends 2 to 3 hours each day checking orders, purchasing goods, packaging and labeling, and contacting express delivery for pick-up. This time could have been used to optimize advertising materials, reply to customer inquiries or research product selection. Freight forwarders can achieve “full-chain management” : the system automatically synchronizes orders from independent stations, the purchasing team selects goods from platforms like 1688, quality inspection personnel check for product defects, and during packaging, they will reduce weight according to logistics rules (such as removing redundant packaging), and finally directly connect with logistics providers for dispatch. Sellers only need to open the backend to check the logistics trajectory. The time saved can be used to run three more sets of advertisement tests, further increasing the order volume.
In terms of risk control, freight forwarders can help you avoid “hidden losses”. Independent store sellers are most afraid of problems such as goods being detained at customs clearance, lost packages, and customers refusing to accept them: goods getting stuck at customs incurs daily storage fees; The customer said they didn’t receive the goods. The platform ruled the seller fully responsible and demanded a refund. The losses caused by risks such as damage to the received goods and negative reviews from customers affecting conversion are often higher than the shipping cost itself. Freight forwarders are familiar with the customs clearance rules of various countries and can review the documents in advance. For instance, for pet supplies sent to the European Union, they will prepare a “material safety certificate” in advance to avoid goods being detained. After a package is lost, the freight forwarder has a dedicated channel to claim compensation first.
As a freight forwarder deeply engaged in the logistics of independent websites, Smartdropping has taken “cost reduction and efficiency improvement” to the extreme. It supports purchasing on all platforms such as 1688 and Taobao, flexibly balancing timeliness and cost. There is no minimum order quantity threshold. Even one order can be dispatched. Whether it’s for beginners to try and make mistakes or small and medium-sized sellers to boost sales volume, they can easily control costs.
The core of an independent website business is not “selling a lot”, but “earning a lot”. Rather than passively “bleeding” in shipping costs, it’s better to let Smartdropping help you hold onto your profits. Leave the logistics chores to the professional team. You just need to focus on product selection and operation. After all, every penny saved in freight can become your confidence to expand the market.
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