Small Parcel Shipping Solution

Small Parcel: Reduce the complexity with our simplified solution

by BlogSpend Intelligence

Businesses are competing with each other to provide the best customer experience. Be it the shipping costs or faster delivery time. Moreover, a customer’s decision to buy depends on shorter delivery times. The transit time for small parcel deliveries is three days or less. According to some reports, the parcel delivery market will grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2030. Expanding e-commerce companies are driving the parcel delivery market.

Due to a decrease in shipping volumes, small parcel shipping costs may increase in 2024. It will affect small and medium businesses with low shipping volumes. Companies require intelligent shipping options for small parcels. Shipping experts like Audintel can help plan small parcel shipping strategies by leveraging customer data.

The importance of small parcel audit and parcel shipping services was a part of our earlier blogs. This article will discuss how Audintel simplifies the complexities of small parcel shipping.

Small Parcel Shipping Services

Small parcel shipping is cost-effective for many businesses. Transporting lightweight and small packages is economical. Companies can optimize their shipping costs by opting for small-parcel shipping. Bulkier shipping orders will increase shipping costs. The process of shipping small parcels can overwhelm any shipper. Thus, it is necessary to choose the right small parcel shipping company. The shipping partner should understand the business needs and contribute to its long-term success.

Small parcel shipping services consist of

  • Ground Shipping

It involves transporting small packages by road or rail. It is the most cost-effective way of sending small parcels.

  • Shipping by Air

Time-sensitive shipments are sent by air, ensuring faster delivery of small packages.

  • Expedited Services

It involves shipping small packages through a fast courier service. Small parcel delivery can happen in a day, though expensive.

  • Economy Services

It involves the cheapest way to ship small packages domestically or internationally. It is ideal for less time-sensitive packages.

Small parcel shipping costs vary on factors like shipping rates, weight, size of packages, and surcharges. Further, shipping destinations, carrier selection, and volumes can impact expenses.

Shippers can ship small packages through various small parcel couriers and delivery companies. Small parcel delivery companies offer many services. The major shipping carriers are UPS, FedEx, and USPS. Regional shipping carriers also provide faster and more economical services.

Small Parcel Delivery Services

Small parcel delivery requires a parcel to be picked up, processed, and delivered from one place to another. Small parcel delivery services involve delivering packages of a certain weight. If the package weight surpasses the desired limit, it gets freight charges.

Shipping service pricing depends on factors: weight, size, distance, and speed. A well-designed packaging technique prevents paying high delivery charges. Shippers will know their package dimensions and weight to reduce parcel delivery prices. Further, consolidating shipments helps in decreasing shipping costs and increasing profit margins. Optimizing small parcel delivery prices is a vital facet of small parcel logistics.

Small Parcel Logistics

Many logistic companies provide efficient and reliable small parcel delivery services. They use technology in their fleet of vehicles to deliver small packages on time. 3PLs offer competitive rates for small parcel delivery services. The services include real-time tracking of small packages. In addition, the latest GPS technology benefits drivers of courier vehicles. They can deliver parcels faster with the best route for travel.

Small parcel fulfillment is possible through a 3PL provider for faster delivery of small packages. A 3PL company chosen based on the location of the target customers can reduce transportation costs. Order routing and efficient inventory management help in delivering  small parcels on time. Real-time data allows shippers to keep track of their shipments.

Logistic companies help in negotiating discounted bulk shipping rates for shippers. For instance, USPS offers the cheapest way to ship small packages. They get competitive rates by partnering with regional parcel carriers. Shipping options for small packages offered by regional parcel carriers are cost-effective. Further, they provide full tracking and same-day delivery services. Sometimes, parcel carriers offer flat-rate shipping that benefits businesses. Shippers pay a single rate where their package falls within a weight and size category.

Different shipping options for shipping small packages

Multiple shipping options are open for shipping companies.USPS (US Postal Service) is the cheapest way to ship small packages domestically. Shipping rates charged by USPS Priority Mail or USPS Ground Advantage are less those of UPS, FedEx, or DHL.

International parcel shipping costs depend on global import regulations and duties. The parcel shipping costs vary depending on the destination and the shipment value. UPS is usually the preferred parcel carrier for shipping packages to long distances.

Based on the delivery time, many shipping options are available. For two-day small parcel deliveries, small parcel carriers offer discounts. For example, UPS 2nd Day Air and FedEx 2Day offer cheaper shipping services. 3PLs also help in negotiating discounts for premium overnight services. Ex. UPS Next Day Air and FedEx Standard Overnight services for overnight shipping of small packages.

Small Parcel Shipping Solutions

Advanced technology tools help small businesses streamline their parcel shipping processes. Adopting a multi-carrier strategy for shipping small packages is a good option. Further, small parcel management technology gives shippers insights into parcel carrier selection.

Audintel offers a range of small parcel shipping solutions for businesses. These include:

  • Providing SaaS solutions for third-party logistics partners transforming their business processes.
  • Improving data visibility in real-time with Business Intelligence tools
  • Help make crucial decisions in choosing parcel carriers by comparing data
  • Automating invoice audits that help in efficient invoice processing
  • Timely carrier invoicing and improving bill payment processes

Further, Audintel has various intelligence tools and technologies aiding companies. Our tools include easy-to-understand intuitive dashboards that provide clients with information immediately. They  provide a graphical visualization of KPIs with insights into transportation spend. We increase operational efficiencies and reduce shipping costs.

Audintel’s team of experts analyzes the shipping profiles of clients and provides shipping reports. These shipment reports give in-depth shipping details to companies so that they can reduce shipping costs. In addition, we advise clients regarding the shipping rates of parcel carriers. Our team reviews Carrier Pricing Agreements that help in carrier contract negotiations.

Our Transportation Spend Management (TSM) services allow timely processing of carrier invoices. Cloud-based TSM tools reduce parcel shipping costs with accurate transportation data. We have professionally trained staff that help clients save more in refunds and claims from shipping carriers. Audintel’s cutting-edge technology simplifies transportation spend management services for shippers.

To sum up

Businesses can improve their operational efficiencies with the increasing demand for small parcel shipping. New-age technologies like AI provide valuable insights into shipping performance data. Further, drone deliveries give a glimpse into faster small parcel deliveries in the future. Tracking technologies allow businesses and customers to track their parcels in real time. Further, comprehensive small parcel audits help reduce shipping costs.

Audintel helps shippers save parcel shipping costs with its AI-powered technology tools. We provide comprehensive shipping information to clients in a simplified way. Our experts advise clients on small parcel shipping services. Audintel’s team helps businesses increase profit margins with simple small parcel shipping solutions.

Contact us to learn about our exciting small parcel shipping solutions at +1 (619) 354 8539. Further, you can learn about the various services provided by us on our Audintel website.

Small_Parcel_Shipping_Challenges

How to overcome challenges of small parcel shipping?

by BlogTSM

Small Parcel shipping is challenging for many shippers. Businesses need strategic solutions with the right software tools to ship small parcels efficiently.

The convenience of ordering online is here to stay. Experts believe there’s been a significant increase in the volume of shipping small parcels to customers directly over the past few years. However, small parcel shipping domestically or internationally requires strategic planning. Inflation, record-high gas prices, supply chain disruptions, and more contribute to various challenges during shipping. Shippers need to automate shipping processes to save time and enhance customer satisfaction. This blog will focus on the challenges shippers face when shipping small parcels.

Small parcel shipping

Packages such as envelopes, posters, small boxes, etc., weighing less than 150 lbs are small parcels. Shipment of small packages requires efficient pickup, transit, and delivery. They do not occupy full truckload capacity like freight or large packages. Each small parcel order is unique and has various requirements. Shippers face challenges when shipping small parcels direct to customers (D2C).

Some of these challenges include:

  • Management of high volumes of small parcels

As customers shifted to e-purchases, there has been a rise in small parcel shipping volumes. Warehouse workers and truckers keep parcel volumes moving to prevent supply chain disruptions. LTL carriers disassemble small parcels or less than pallet load (LPL) shipments to fill their trucks. It may cause damage to the goods during transit.

  • Labor requirements

Processing small parcel shipments requires more labor or workers than bulk shipments. It leads to higher shipping costs for shippers. This cost is either transferred to customers as shipping fees or is a part of the product. Companies hire more people for warehouses and fulfillment centers for shipping small parcels.

  • Overcoming packaging hurdles

Small packages can vary in size, weight, and dimensions. Picking out the ideal packaging material is necessary to prevent shipping delays. Padded mailers and envelopes are appropriate for single items. Fragile items need packing in boxes with proper dimensions to avoid damaging goods in transit. In addition, heavy packages cost more to ship than light ones.

  • Accessorial fees charges

Many transportation service providers charge accessorial fees for small parcel shipping. These fees are residential charges, additional handling, address correction, weekend pickup/delivery, and more.

  • Selection of appropriate parcel carriers and services

Last-mile delivery of small parcels is essential for better customer satisfaction. Choosing the correct local parcel carriers is necessary as inexperienced and untrained courier staff can damage the goods. Hence, selecting the parcel carrier and the appropriate services allows shippers to cater to their customers’ needs.

Retail consumers expect on-time delivery and updated arrival status of packages. And failure to meet customers’ expectations causes loss of repeat business. Providing reliable services with greater visibility gives shippers an advantage over their competitors. Many parcel carriers like UPS and FedEx enhance customer experience with their services.

UPS small parcels

UPS has various options for small parcel delivery that are tailor-made for small businesses. They provide access to Drop Boxes, pickup options, and an-inclusive rate for shipments. They have defined the price range and service level for small parcel deliveries of particular dimensions at specific times. For example, UPS Ground services can provide 1-5 delivery dates for shipping small parcels.

FedEx small parcels

FedEx has different package classifications based on size and weight for delivering small parcels. For instance, FedEx’s Flat packages have short dimensions and a volume of around 400 cubic inches. FedEx has various small parcel limits for domestic Ground services than Express Services.

A third-party (3PL) provider helps shippers in carrier management. They can negotiate better shipping rates for shippers to get better discounts. Further, they can compare carrier performances and suggest services of multiple parcel carriers. With expert knowledge of packaging expertise, they can provide cost-effective solutions.

Audintel- for faster and cheaper small parcel shipping

Our state-of-the-art shipping optimization platform helps manage small parcel delivery. We offer customizable dashboards that continuously monitor shipping status and on-time delivery of packages. Audintel’s automated real-time customer notifications keep our clients abreast of the entire shipping operations of packages. Our expert team can provide shippers with data to compare carrier performance, identify areas of saving money and time, and more.

Companies can streamline their small parcel shipping needs with Audintel’s Transportation Management System (TMS). We provide customized views within our dashboards even for the shipping’s made through small parcels to different destinations. Moreover, our software tools help reduce shipping costs for our clients by providing alternate solutions.   

Finally

During the pandemic, there was a drop in sales of brick-and-mortar products. E-commerce sales of small packages have grown exponentially. Smooth, reliable small parcel shipping is vital for shippers to improve their profitability. So, efficient management of high volumes of small parcels with advanced shipping software solutions is the need of the hour. Partnering with Audintel helps shippers overcome these challenges. We address each business’ unique customer preferences to ensure effortless, cost-effective delivery of small parcels.

Along with customized dashboards, Audintel do have 200+ reports available in their portal which are available for live customers which will help in generating and scheduling the reports based on their required criteria.

Wondering how much it will cost for small parcel shipping? Learn more about small parcels by contacting us at +1 (619) 354 8539 or visiting our Audintel website.