Storing and shipping specialty goods is no easy feat. It requires a 3PL partner that’s fully immersed in the world of specialty goods and has the resources needed to satisfy safety and quality control standards. From foods to pharmaceuticals to everything in between, identifying a fulfillment and logistics partner that can craft a customized solution for your business is vital for fueling your company’s long-term success. Before shipping your specialty goods, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Here’s a look.
Shipping Specialty Goods: What To Consider
Shipping Costs: Finding a cost-effective solution for shipping your specialty goods is an important part of maximizing your bottom line. When you utilize a 3PL provider, you’ll be able to tap into their carrier network and specialized rates. Not only is this valuable from a cost perspective, but you’ll be able to secure a shipping solution that’s smart, reliable, and safe for your specialty items.
Rules & Regulations: Certain specialty goods (think: cold chain or hazardous materials) will require you to obtain specific permits or satisfy legal obligations in order to be shipped. Your 3PL warehousing partner will work with you to procure all the necessary documentation prior to delivering products to the end customer.
Taxes & Duties: Depending on the size of your products and where they are being shipped, you may be subject to additional duties, fees, or taxes. These are important for estimating your total costs and understanding what requirements your products must satisfy to keep the shipping process as seamless as possible.
Benefits of a 3PL for Specialty Goods
Leveraging a 3PL for your warehousing and logistics needs is an effective way to optimize everything from order fulfillment to inventory management. Streamlining these processes can help strengthen the customer experience, decrease your shipping costs, and give you a competitive edge. And in today’s competitive business world – customer satisfaction is everything. Think about it: it only takes a few negative online reviews to eat away at your profitability.
That’s why it’s incredibly important to align yourself with a 3PL provider with the tools, technology, and know-how to handle your specialty goods. Here’s a peek at some of the benefits you’ll enjoy by working with a 3PL for all your specialty goods needs.
Expert Inventory Management
Optimizing inventory management is every business's dream. With the right 3PL partner, you’ll have access to technology, like automation, to track inventory, forecast demand, and manage replenishment. Having this level of visibility into your inventory can help avoid costly errors, such as stockouts, as well as ensure product integrity is preserved.
Elevate Your Brand’s Reputation
It’s no secret that specialty goods demand specialized care and attention throughout the fulfillment and shipping processes. An experienced 3PL provider will play an integral role in ensuring products are handled appropriately, as well as delivered correctly and on time. Having a reliable, skilled 3PL on your side can translate into improved customer loyalty and repeat business.
Accelerate Shipping Times
Today’s consumers want their products ASAP – you can thank Amazon for that. The good news? You can partner with a 3PL provider with multiple warehouse locations peppered across the country. This is advantageous because you’ll be able to house your specialty goods closer to the end customer, lowering shipping costs and providing faster delivery times.
Optimize Your Supply Chain
In order to streamline your supply chain, you need the right systems and processes in place. A 3PL will have the tools and technology required to ensure your specialty goods are stored, picked/packed, and shipped both safely and accurately. What’s more, you can lean on their resources to drive down shipping costs and strengthen order accuracy – two elements that can help improve revenue flow.
Enhance Your Customer Service
Customer service is at the epicenter of a thriving business. A 3PL partner will have the knowledge needed to navigate any fulfillment or shipping issues that may arise to mitigate shipping delays and ensure orders are delivered on time.
The Smart 3PL for Your Specialty Goods
From order placement through delivery, handling specialty goods can be an intricate process. It demands a 3PL partner with the tools, experience, and technology needed to deliver results. At Smart Warehousing, we have over 38 warehouses strategically located across the U.S. – allowing us to handle your products with the utmost care and put them closer to your customers. We do all the heavy lifting so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business and building a strong customer experience.
To learn more about how the Smart Warehousing team can satisfy your business’s specialty goods needs, contact us today.