International shipping costs can be hard to predict. There are dozens of factors that change how much money you will need to spend on international shipping. Many of those factors can fluctuate seasonally due to changes in shipping infrastructure worldwide. That is why we wrote this guide on the best practices to avoid high shipping costs internationally.

Plan Your Shipping Schedule Strategically

If your goal is to save money on international shipping, you need to consider when you ship and how much you ship. Multiple small shipments will require much more in shipping fees, then sending over your product in bulk. The goal of any company is to limit the number of shipments a quarter and maximize the amount of cargo shipped for the most efficient results. E-Commerce companies often struggle with shipping schedules because of the high demand to send small shipments often. One solution to this problem is to create a warehousing budget. When possible, online retailers and E-Commerce companies will ship bulk orders to warehouses around the world instead of directly to their consumers. This requires finding the best prices for warehouses in the areas you ship to and coordinating deliveries from warehouses to consumers. This can be challenging if the company does not have a physical presence in that country.

Look for Consolidation Options

One of the most effective ways to lower shipping costs is to consider consolidation options. If you do not have enough product to fill a full crate for ocean or air travel, consolidating your shipment with another company can lower your shipping costs. There can be challenges with finding consolidation options because they often require more of an active relationship with your shipping company to handle the logistics.

Use A Freight Forwarder

A catch-all for lowering your shipping costs is to hire a freight forwarding company. Freight forwarding companies handle consolidation, clearing customs, getting fulfillment, scheduling, and warehousing. Companies often save much more on shipping costs than they spend on their freight forwarding company, plus it is much more convenient to have logistics handled professionally.

Contact Bruning International

If you need freight forwarding services for your company’s international shipments, contact Bruning International. We have been in the business of freight forwarding for over 40 years. Send us an email at info@bruninginternational.com or call at 800.616.3349 to get in touch with a member of our team.