Shipping cost is all costs of shipping, handling, duties, tariffs, taxes, and expenses incurred in transporting units of products. Reducing shipping costs means minimizing these expenses incurred during shipping, for example, accurate billing and discounted supplies. This blog will highlight nine ways of reducing shipping cost.

1. Shorten Shipping Distance

Shortening the distance from the warehouse to the customer's door will reduce shipping costs. This is because the distance determines the shipping cost traveled, so a shorter distance will also result in a lower freight cost. Shortening the distance can be done by using faster delivery services, such as express shipping or overnight shipping.

2. Pay for Shipping Online

This saves the time and effort of a customer. The customer pays for the item online hence reducing shipping charges. The customer also enjoys a free pick-up service.

3. Use Package Given by the Carrier

Shipments that are given by the carrier are considered free shipping. They are usually packed in a box or other container. Therefore they do not require extra packaging. These shipments can be used to reduce shipping costs.

4. Billing Customers Accurately

It is crucial to determine the correct weight and dimensions of a package. The package should be weighed accurately, and its measurements must be considered. The correct weight and dimensions will also ensure that the package fits the shipping service. This reduces shipping costs to the customers.

5. Looking for Discount Supplies

Discounts are offered by suppliers that are willing to provide the customer with a discount on their product. These offers are usually advertised on the internet, and special promotions can be found on social media. Large shipping companies often provide discounted or free packaging supplies to business owners. This saves on shipping. Packaging materials like poly mailers and bubble wrap can be purchased in bulk, saving on shipping costs.

6. Using a Third Party Insurance

The third-party insurance covers the shipment against damage or theft during transit. Many shipping companies offer a third-party insurance service in addition to the standard services they provide. This reduces shipping costs to the customers.

7. Negotiate with Carrier

Carriers and shipping companies often have a list of terms and conditions that the customer must adhere to. Negotiating with the carrier helps in reducing shipping costs to the customers. The customer can use this information to negotiate with the carrier and reduce the shipping cost by offering a lower price.

8. Weigh Packages and Shave Dimensions

The customer must weigh the package they are sending. This helps in calculating the shipping cost. The customer can also shave off the dimensions of the packages. When printing labels and shipping everything from your business, buy a postage scale. This gives a better idea about the weight of each package and allows you to calculate the shipping cost accurately. It, therefore, reduces the shipping cost.

9. Choose Hybrid Services

Shipping services like UPS SurePost puck up orders and transport packages to a post office facility for shipping. Address validation api verifies the parcel, and this allows the customer to send a parcel and receive a tracking number at the same time. This cuts the cost to the customers.

Reduced shipping cost helps increase profit for the small businesses and facilitate their growth.