How to save on shipping in Canada?

Mastering the Art of Cost-Effective Shipping in Canada

Shipping costs can pose a significant challenge for businesses operating in Canada. However, by adopting strategic measures, it’s possible to streamline expenses and ensure efficient delivery.

Optimizing Dimensional Weight

Dimensional weight (DIM weight) is the calculated weight of a package based on its size, not its actual weight. Shipping carriers often use DIM weight to determine charges, especially for larger or bulky items. To save on shipping, it’s crucial to minimize the dimensional weight of your packages by:

• Choosing appropriate packaging: Opt for boxes that are the right size for your products, avoiding both oversized and undersized options.
• Consolidating multiple items: Instead of shipping items individually, consider combining them into a single package to reduce DIM weight.
• Utilizing void fill: Fill empty spaces within packages with lightweight materials like packing peanuts or bubble wrap to minimize overall dimensions.

Avoiding Split Shipments

Split shipments occur when a single order is divided into multiple packages, each with its own shipping cost. To avoid this, it’s important to:

• Accurately estimate shipment size: Carefully measure and weigh your products to determine the appropriate package size and avoid having to split shipments.
• Utilize flat-rate shipping options: Some carriers offer flat-rate shipping for packages up to certain dimensions, which can save money compared to traditional weight-based charges.

Exploring Flat-Rate Options

Flat-rate shipping is a service offered by carriers where a fixed price is charged regardless of the weight or dimensions of the package. This can be advantageous for businesses shipping items that vary in size or weight. By exploring flat-rate options, you can potentially reduce shipping costs for certain products.

Partnering with a Third-Party Logistics Provider (3PL)

3PLs offer a range of shipping and logistics services, including negotiated discounts with carriers. Partnering with a 3PL can help you:

• Access discounted shipping rates: 3PLs typically have established relationships with multiple carriers, allowing them to negotiate discounted rates on behalf of their clients.
• Optimize transportation: 3PLs can provide transportation management services that help optimize delivery routes and reduce transit times.
• Handle complex logistics: For businesses with complex shipping needs, 3PLs can manage inventory, track shipments, and provide customer support.

Free Shipping Policies Revisited

While free shipping can be attractive to customers, it’s important to carefully consider its impact on overall shipping costs. Free shipping can lead to excessive packaging and increased DIM weight, ultimately raising shipping expenses. Instead, it’s advisable to explore alternative strategies like flat-rate shipping or offering free shipping within a certain order value to strike a balance between customer satisfaction and cost efficiency.

By implementing these strategies, businesses can effectively optimize their Canadian shipping costs. By streamlining dimensional weight, avoiding split shipments, exploring flat-rate options, partnering with 3PLs, and re-evaluating free shipping policies, you can significantly reduce expenses while ensuring efficient and cost-effective delivery to your customers.