The pandemic is both a booming and a challenging time for eCommerce of all sizes. With the demand for package shipping increasing, you have to be creative on how to get the best out of it. That includes avoiding overpaying for both domestic and international parcel shipping.

Curious about how to do it? Check out these TOP 4 tips!

1. Discuss possible discounts with your package shipping service provider

The first step is to negotiate with your package carrier. Ask for discounts on a certain volume of packages. Don’t feel like you’re on the lower ground because you’re asking for a favor. Keep in mind that the package shipping company needs you as much as you need them. You’re both looking for a way to make your business a success.

If you’re a small business and can’t meet the required volume of packages per month, be creative. Perhaps you’re specializing in sending parcels to a particular region, as in the case of shipping to Germany from the US. You can try to strike a better deal at least for your best countries.

2. Partner with multiple carriers

Loyalty is a valuable quality in business and in life. But it shouldn’t bind you to one shipping company. Research your options. Don’t look only at the overall shipping rates provided by the carriers. See if you can get a cheaper package shipping to certain locations.

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Some companies may offer better rates when shipping from the US to Romania. Others may have better deals when shipping from the US to Canada. You can even partner with local carriers to take advantage of lower prices. In short, take your time to analyze all the possibilities of shipping overseas.

3. Save on packing materials

Packing materials add to the total cost of shipping packages. But they’re essential if you wish your goods to reach their destination in one piece. You shouldn’t strive to save on them by sacrificing quality. Packing materials of poor quality may lead to damaged parcels and unhappy clients.

There are other ways to minimize the costs. When it comes to package shipping, you can choose from a great range of packing materials. Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, air cushions, corrugated shipping boxes, and padded envelopes are the most common of them. But do you really need all of them? Some of these materials may not fit your products at all, while others may be just perfect for international shipping. Focus on the latter.

And it’s very uneconomical to buy packing materials in low quantities. Plan in advance and get them in bulk. You can also buy them directly from the manufacturers instead of purchasing them from the post or online resellers.

4. Beware of the package size and weight

Dimensions and the weight of the parcel are crucial in package shipping. They’re the key factor in determining the shipping costs. Always keep an eye on the weight and the size of your parcels. Don’t pack your goods into larger boxes than necessary. You can even split items across multiple shipping boxes to avoid exceeding weight limitations.

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Using package shipping services might be expensive. But if you implement these TOP 4 tips, you’re sure not to overpay for them.