In the field of cross-border e-commerce, the shipping models of local stores and cross-border stores can be regarded as “two different tracks” – the former wins in terms of timeliness by relying on “local pre-positioning”, while the latter lowers the threshold by virtue of “light assets”. Only by thoroughly understanding the core differences between the two can one avoid shipping traps and ensure a smooth process from order placement to signature receipt.
I. Cross-border Store Shipping: The “Lightweight Play” for Sellers Without Inventory
Core logic: Relying on the domestic supply chain, the entire process from procurement to shipment from the transfer warehouse is fully controllable, making it suitable for sellers who are just starting out and do not want to overstock.
Source and process breakdown
o Dropshipping model: After selecting products from platforms such as 1688 and Pinduoduo, directly have the suppliers ship them to domestic freight forwarders. The freight forwarder is responsible for two key tasks: First, to affix the TK waybill as required by the platform (the information on the waybill must exactly match the order, otherwise it cannot be stored in the warehouse); The second step is to uniformly send the packages to the officially designated transfer warehouses (such as Shanghai, Dongguan, Quanzhou and other hub cities). Only after scanning the code and entering the warehouse can the “shipment” be considered complete.
o Self-owned supply model: You need to prepare your own vending machine to print the waybill, pack it according to the platform’s specifications (for example, clothing needs to be covered with dust-proof bags, and 3C products need to be labeled with quality inspection tags), and then send it to the transfer warehouse via domestic express delivery. This process eliminates the “agency procurement” step compared to the no-inventory model, but it has higher requirements for packaging compliance.
- Key points of timeliness and cost:
The order must be dispatched within 48 hours after it is placed and delivered to the transfer warehouse within 96 hours. Exceeding the time limit will affect the store’s weight and even limit the traffic.
In terms of cost, the seller only bears the domestic first leg freight (such as the transfer warehouse from Guangzhou to Dongguan, with a single item freight of about 3 to 5 yuan), while the final leg freight (from the transfer warehouse to the overseas customer) is borne by the buyer, without the need to advance a large amount of logistics fees. - o Transparency of logistics information: After the package enters the transfer warehouse, the system automatically synchronizes the “shipped” status. Buyers can track the subsequent transportation progress, reducing disputes over “false shipping”.
II, local store shipping: Winning in terms of timeliness with “advance inventory”
Core logic: Achieving “local shipping” through overseas warehouse inventory preparation is suitable for brand sellers who pursue high repurchase rates and high average transaction values.- Core of the process: Pre-stocking is the prerequisite
After product selection, the bulk goods need to be sent to the cooperative freight forwarder. The freight forwarder will first conduct a “pre-inspection” (checking for empty packages, damage, incorrect labels, etc.), and then uniformly send them to the overseas warehouses they are connected with (such as the Los Angeles warehouse in the United States, the London warehouse in the United Kingdom).
After the order is placed, the overseas warehouse directly picks the goods according to the order, attaches the TK waybill, and ships them through local logistics (such as USPS in the United States and Royal Mail in the United Kingdom). There is no need for domestic transfer throughout the process, and the goods can be delivered to the buyer within 48 hours. The delivery time is 3 to 5 times faster than that of cross-border stores. - Cost and risk balance:
The cost of o consists of two parts: one is the “first leg freight” for the freight forwarder to send the goods to the overseas warehouse (charged by weight/volume, about 15-30 yuan per kilogram for the European and American routes); The second is the storage fee for overseas warehouses plus the order placement fee (the storage fee is calculated by the day, and the order placement fee is approximately 1-2 yuan per order).
The advantages of o lie in: Local shipping can significantly enhance the customer experience (for instance, American buyers can receive their goods within 3 days, and returns can be sent to the local warehouse), and the repurchase rate is over 20% higher than that of cross-border stores. However, there is a risk of inventory overstock. It is recommended to conduct a small-scale trial sale first and then gradually increase the inventory.
Iii. Choosing the right freight forwarder, both models can “reduce costs and increase efficiency”
Whether it is the “transit warehouse model” of cross-border stores or the “overseas warehouse inventory preparation” of local stores, freight forwarders are the key link connecting the supply chain and platform rules. And SmartDropping can perfectly adapt to both modes:
For cross-border stores: We offer a one-stop service of “purchasing on behalf of customers + labeling + direct shipping from transfer warehouses”, with full management from product selection on 1688 to labeling and shipping. We ensure that products are wareited within 96 hours to avoid penalties for exceeding the time limit.- For local stores: We have self-operated overseas warehouses in Europe, America and Southeast Asia, supporting the entire chain from “domestic collection → overseas warehouse inventory preparation → local delivery”. Before inventory preparation, we can also provide sales forecasts to help you control inventory costs.
Whether you run a cross-border store or a domestic store, the core of shipping is “compliance + timeliness”. Let SmartDropping help you smooth out the entire process from product selection to delivery. You only need to focus on product selection and operation, and leave the rest of the logistics chores to the professionals for more peace of mind.
Dear friends from all independent websites who need cross-border shipping, you can leave a message in the comment section or send me a private message! Looking forward to your reply. Contact information: +v: rongexpress, Whatsapp:19129561508