SME  /  E-COMMERCE

By FedEx | September 11, 2024

Freight shipping isn’t just for large enterprises: small businesses can get in on it too. Learn how to unlock bulk discounts with bigger volumes for your next shipment.

• A global boom in e-commerce and cross-border trade means more small businesses are shipping in bulk.
• For SMEs looking to expand internationally, freight shipping can unlock more efficient shipping strategies and deliver savings on large package volumes.
• Re-evaluate your shipping strategy to take advantage of freight services and unlock last-minute discounts.

SMEs, e-commerce shippers: do you know how heavy your shipment needs to be to qualify as freight? Spoiler: it might not be as much as you think. At FedEx, any shipment above 68kg is considered freight. Large quantities of small items like clothes, books, toys, and packaged food items can be bundled as freight – as long as they meet the weight requirements.

Here are some examples of what 68kg of freight could look like:

• 186 pairs of jeans
• 53 chess boards
• 20 electric guitars
• 12 standing mirrors
• 6 office chairs

The evolution of freight shipping around the world

Not all small and medium-sized businesses realize they qualify for freight shipping services. A common misconception is that only large enterprises moving major volumes can ship freight. But for many SMEs, freight shipping opens up opportunities to increase efficiencies.

Freight shipping could be perceived as slow. However, thanks to expedited, digitally-driven supply chains and the expanded connectivity of global transportation networks, big bulk orders can now arrive as fast as 1 to 3 business days worldwide with services like FedEx International Priority Freight.

In fact, air freight traffic has experienced an upswing globally thanks to cross-border trade and new export orders. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) attributes this growth to global e-commerce demand.

Within Asia alone, air freight traffic has grown 11.8% year-on-year, fueled by economic growth and improved regional trade. Taking advantage of air freight services helps small businesses realize cross-border opportunities in Asia-Pacific and beyond.

What kinds of businesses benefit from air freight services?

Consumers today expect goods to reach them faster than ever, but timely, cost-effective delivery can be tough for small businesses with lean budgets. Small businesses moving a lower volume of products and arranging fewer shipments typically face higher rates. Luckily, logistics providers now offer enterprise rates for businesses of all sizes.

Air freight is particularly beneficial for e-commerce businesses and those whose shipments have time-specific delivery and temperature-control requirements.

Top 5 tips to optimize your freight shipments

Considering freight for your next big shipment? Here are five tips on freight shipping solutions for your small business:

1. Understand your shipping needs

Are your items fragile? Can you bundle individual items together to meet certain weight requirements? Do these items require special conditions like temperature control? Understanding your shipping needs will help you decide whether you need specific freight services or not. You can use online shipping calculators to make an initial call on what services your business needs.

2. Select the right shipping partner

Next, look for a shipping partner based on your product requirements and business growth potential, so you can better negotiate rates and establish benchmarks. For businesses shipping tricky, odd-shaped items, also known as ugly freight, it’s crucial to find an experienced shipping partner that can handle such shipments or provide bespoke solutions.

It helps to think long-term. Build a relationship with a trusted freight provider who has a reliable track record of working with small businesses. Working with them closely will enable you to access ongoing guidance and support. Look at options that not only reduce your shipping costs, but also offer end-to-end shipment visibility for peace of mind.

If your business prioritizes sustainability, consider a freight shipping provider that can also support those efforts. At FedEx, we empower businesses to be more sustainable by providing reusable packaging and free access to FedEx Sustainability Insights, a tool that tracks your shipping emissions.

3. Measure and weigh your package accurately

Check the maximum weight and size dimensions for parcels, which will vary depending on the carrier, the country of origin, and the destination. If your package exceeds the weight and size limits, it will usually be considered freight. You can also save costs by increasing the density of your shipment. Small but heavy shipments may cost less than lighter ones that have the same dimensions.

Remember, freight shipments also have maximum dimensions, as your cargo needs to fit on a plane, in a truck, or into a container. If you need to move an oversized, fragile, or unique item – such as specialist machinery or artwork for a new retail space – it's a good idea to get in touch with your shipping partner so they can help you plan your big move with care.

4. Combine deliveries and get discounts on heavier packages

Armed with knowledge of weight and size limits, you can optimize your shipping strategy and achieve greater cost savings. If you are shipping several parcels to the same destination, you can combine them into a single freight shipment, either by stacking them onto a pallet or housing them in a shipping container.

This helps lower the risk of incomplete delivery and may even cost you less. You can get last-minute discounts of up to 80% when shipping bulk packages or heavy freight at short notice. However, when combining packages into a single shipment, remember that your shipment may also take longer to reach its destination.

5. Prioritize freight for time-sensitive, critical items

Freight is just one service option for your shipping strategy, and you can lean on freight for shipments that need it the most. Some SMEs opt for different shipping solutions depending on whether the shipment contains time-sensitive, critical items.

For example, FedEx offers Customized Freight for time-specific, and temperature-controlled transportation solutions. Depending on the nature of your cargo, shipments can receive priority boarding on every FedEx flight. We can also assign exclusive vehicles for critical shipments for additional security and faster delivery.

Let your business take flight with air freight

At FedEx, we support customer growth by offering dedicated support and a portfolio of services that can be tailored. Our freight services can be applied to individual packages weighing over 68kg, palletized shipments, and shipments that exceed normal size restrictions. We offer a range of delivery times, depending on your shipment’s urgency.

Find out more about how FedEx can deliver your freight shipments safely to over 220 destinations worldwide here.