Shipping costs can really add up, whether you’re an online retailer or just an individual shipping packages periodically. But there are some insider tips that can help you save big on shipping rates. Check out these 7 tricks to start cutting your shipping costs down to size:
- Do Your Research on Carriers Don’t just automatically go with big-name carriers like FedEx or UPS. Also compare rates from regional carriers and the U.S. Postal Service. You may find substantially cheaper rates, especially for lightweight shipments going short distances.
- Negotiate Rates Many carriers will negotiate better pricing if you expect to ship a certain volume each month or year. This may mean setting up an account versus just paying retail rates. The more you ship, the more leverage you have to get discounts.
- Use Hybrid Service for Savings See if your carrier offers a hybrid service that uses their ground network for a portion of the transit. For example, FedEx SmartPost uses FedEx for rapid transportation but the U.S. Postal Service for final delivery. It’s more affordable than full FedEx service.
- Consider Regional Rate Boxes Both FedEx and UPS offer special flat rates for shipments sent in their branded regional rate boxes to nearby states. The rates can be 20% less than standard ground, so they’re worth trying if your package fits.
- Ship in Off-Peak Times Many carriers charge higher rates during the holiday peak season from around Thanksgiving to Christmas. If possible, plan to ship items before or after this peak window to get standard rates.
- Optimize Box Sizes Using boxes that are too large can bump you into a higher shipping rate tier. Do some experimenting with different box sizes that still provide enough internal protection. Using exact rate calculators can reveal sweet spots on sizes.
- Go Third-Party for Discounts New third-party shipping tools can get you considerable discounts with major carriers, oftentimes 40-60% below retail rates. For example, shipping Duck, Stamps.com and others provide steep discounts by leveraging collective volumes.
While shipping is an unavoidable cost, utilizing these insider tricks can help maximize your shipping budget and savings. It just takes a bit of research and willingness to try new methods.