With an estimated 356 billion packages shipped worldwide in 2023, it’s no surprise that with this increase in online shopping, there has also been a rise in damaged, lost and stolen packages. However, it’s not the be all end all as there are a variety of steps brands can take to protect their packages and ensure they reach their customers in one piece. We’ve packaged these up with some real-life examples for you below.

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Common Challenges with Shipping Damages

Shipping damages are a challenge for e-commerce businesses, manifesting in various forms such as physical damage to products, broken seals, and moisture-related issues. These damages can arise from inadequate packaging, mishandling during transit, or environmental factors. It all sounds straightforward however, when it comes to deciphering who is liable for the damages, that is when the headache can start. For damages associated with insufficient packaging, it often falls on the business, leading to financial losses, increased return rates, and the necessity for refunds or replacements. For damages due to mishandling, the liability can fall into the carriers hands, but it’s important to note this can be timely and not always successful. Moreover, shipping damages can severely impact a brand’s reputation, reducing customer trust and satisfaction. Frequent occurrences of damaged goods not only escalate operational costs but also diminish customer loyalty, making it crucial for businesses to adopt the tips outlined below.

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Tips for Brands to Protect Packages and Minimize Damage

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Invest in High-Quality Packaging Materials

There’s many areas where businesses cut costs, however, effective and robust packaging should not be one of them. Brands should invest in high-quality materials that provide adequate protection. This includes:

• Sturdy Boxes: Use corrugated cardboard boxes that are correctly sized for the items being shipped. Oversized boxes can lead to shifting and damage, while undersized boxes may burst open.
• Protective Padding: Incorporate bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or air pillows to cushion products and absorb shocks.
• Durable Tape: Secure boxes with strong, adhesive tape designed for shipping. Reinforce edges and seams to prevent accidental openings.

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Properly Cushion and Pack Items

Effective cushioning and packing techniques are crucial to preventing damage. Follow these steps to ensure your products are well-protected:

• Wrap Each Item Individually: For fragile or breakable items, wrap each piece separately with bubble wrap, foam sheets or tissue paper.
• Fill Void Spaces: Use packing materials to fill any empty spaces in the box, preventing movement during transit.
• Double-Boxing: For highly fragile items, consider double-boxing. Place the item in a smaller box with padding, then place that box inside a larger, well-cushioned box.

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Label Packages Correctly

Clear and accurate labeling can significantly reduce the risk of damage. Ensure your packages are labeled with the following information:

• Fragile Stickers: Use “Fragile” or “Handle with Care” stickers for delicate items.
• Up Arrows: Indicate the correct orientation of the package with “This Side Up” arrows.
• Shipping Information: Clearly display the recipient’s address and contact information. Include a return address as well.

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Choose Reliable Shipping Partners

The choice of a shipping carrier can influence the safety of your packages. Choose carriers known for their reliability and careful handling of parcels in addition to:

• Insurance: Opt for shipping insurance to cover the cost of potential damages.
• Tracking: Use carriers that provide tracking information to monitor the shipment’s progress and address issues promptly.

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Leverage Package Protection

Leveraging extra package protection allows brands to protect their revenue and reduce the load for the CX team. Customers are able to add or remove the package protection from their cart at the checkout. If purchased and a package is stolen, lost or damaged in transit, the customer can contact the protection provider directly who will process the claim and issue a reorder or refund, without any extra cost to the brand or customer. This not only protects revenue, but also enhances customer trust and confidence, knowing if any issues arise, it will be resolved quickly and hassle-free.

For example, our friends over at Corso have a simple to use claims portal for customers and pride themselves on resolving shipping issues within 24 hours. 

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Collect and Analyze Data

It’s tough to improve if you’re not measuring. By gathering data on damages such as certain items are damaged more than others or certain package sizes are being frequently damaged, brands can effectively adjust packaging methods. Not to mention, for new products or packaging, you can conduct test runs or even drop tests in house, to ensure they will reach your customer in one piece. 

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In Summary

Securing shipments and minimizing damage requires attention to detail, investment in quality materials, and collaboration with reliable shipping carriers. By implementing these strategies above, brands can enhance customer satisfaction, reduce financial losses, and build a reputation for reliability and care. Not to mention, the key to successful shipping lies in the preparation and continuous improvement of your packaging and shipping practices.

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With Black Friday and the holiday season just around the corner, businesses can expect a surge of shoppers eager to get in the gifting spirit and take advantage of seasonal deals. This influx brings a great opportunity for increased sales, but it also comes with the complexities of increased shipping demands.

To keep up with the growing volume of orders, carriers like USPS have announced temporary price adjustments for the 2024 peak holiday season. Effective from October 6, 2024, through January 19, 2025, these rate changes will impact Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage shipments.

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What Are Peak Season Surcharges?

These holiday surcharges help USPS cover additional costs associated with labor, fuel, and supplies during the peak shipping months to ensure they can maintain service standards while managing higher volumes. Staying informed about these changes is key to plan accordingly and maintain a seamless delivery experience for customers, so we’ve packaged them up for you below.

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Commercial Increases

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4

• $0.30 increase for 0-3 lbs.
• $0.45 increase for 4-10 lbs.
• $0.75 increase for 11-25 lbs.
• $3.00 increase for 26-70 lbs. 

Priority Mail: Zones 5-9

• $0.70 increase for 0-3 lbs.
• $1.25 increase for 4-10 lbs.
• $2.75 increase for 11-25 lbs.
• $7.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.

USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 5-9

• $0.35 increase for 0-3 lbs.
• $0.75 increase for 4-10 lbs.
• $1.25 increase for 11-25 lbs.
• $5.50 increase for 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express: Zones 1-4

• $1.00 increase for 0-3 lbs. 
• $1.50 increase for 4-10 lbs.
• $3.50 increase for 11-25 lbs.
• $8.95 increase for 26-70 lbs

Priority Mail Express: Zone 5-9

$1.75 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$3.95 increase for 4-10 lbs.

$7.50 increase for 11-25 lbs.

$13.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.

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Retail Increases

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4

$0.40 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$0.55 increase for 4-10 lbs

$0.95 increase for 11-25 lbs. 

$4.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail: Zones 5-9

$0.90 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$1.45 increase for 4-10 lbs.

$3.25 increase for 11-25 lbs.

$8.50 increase for 26-70 lbs.

USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 5-9

$0.50 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$1.00 increase for 4-10 lbs.

$2.00 increase for 11-25 lbs.

$5.85 increase for 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express: Zones 1-4

$1.10 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$2.00 increase for 4-10 lbs.

$3.90 increase for 11-25 lbs.

$9.75 increase for 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express: Zones 5-9

$2.00 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$4.85 increase for 4-10 lbs.

$9.00 increase for 11-25 lbs.

$16.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.

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How Can Businesses Still Save On Shipping?

Despite the USPS price increases during the holiday season, merchants still have opportunities to save on shipping costs. By using VESYL, brands can shop the best-in-class rates across multiple carriers, streamline operations, reduce labor costs, and minimize errors through automation, further maximizing efficiency and cutting down unnecessary expenses. By streamlining shipping operations, merchants can offset the impact of seasonal surcharges while still delivering an exceptional customer experience during the busiest time of the year.

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Schedule a quick 15-minute call with us and we’ll show you how!

It’s no secret that shipping costs can eat into your bottom line as a brand. However, with some strategic planning and optimization, you can significantly reduce shipping expenses while still delivering a polished customer experience. In this article, we'll explore 3 simple tips to reduce shipping costs without compromising on quality.

Optimize Packing

One of the easiest ways to reduce shipping costs is to optimize packing, and there’s a variety of simple ways to get started:

• Right-size Packaging: Choose packaging that fits your products snugly to minimize wasted space and avoid dimensional weight charges. Using smaller boxes or envelopes can often result in lower shipping costs. Not to mention, correctly packaging products helps to reduce the risk of damage in transit, further reducing the costs, and time, associated with damage claims.
• Lightweight Materials: Use lightweight packing materials such as bubble wrap, corrugated cardboard or air pillows to protect items without adding unnecessary weight to packages. This helps to lower shipping costs for shipments priced by weight.
• Eliminate Excess Packaging: Avoid overpacking by using just enough cushioning to protect items during transit. Removing excess packaging materials can reduce package dimensions and weight, leading to lower shipping costs. However, while minimizing packaging, it’s important to still use a sufficient amount to reduce the risk of damages during transit.

Rate Shop

Just as you would compare the costs of products in the supermarket, shipping costs are no different. 

• Use Shipping Software: Instead of having to manually compare rates and shipping speeds across various carriers, leverage shipping software that does it all for you. VESYL serves up the most competitive shipping rates in real time across multiple carriers so you can make the best informed choice. The software also allows you to pre-define frequently used package dimensions, to not only save on costs, but also time. 
• Negotiate Carrier Rates: If you have a high shipping volume, consider negotiating discounted rates directly with carriers. Many carriers offer volume-based discounts or incentives for loyal customers, which can help lower your overall shipping costs. However, it’s important to note that this option does limit flexibility in case of shipping disruptions. 

Learn more about VESYL's automations to reduce costs and time.

Utilize Discounted Supplies

Shipping supplies can add up quickly, but there are ways to save on packaging materials:

• Bulk Ordering: By analyzing order history, you can identify the most used package sizes and types and look at bulk ordering to reduce costs. This includes boxes, envelopes, tape, and labels in bulk to fully take advantage of volume discounts, helping you save on packaging costs in the long run.
• Utilize Carrier Supplies: Take advantage of free or discounted shipping supplies offered by carriers. Many carriers provide free packaging materials, such as boxes and envelopes, to their customers. By using these supplies, you can save on packaging costs and ensure compatibility with carrier specifications.
• Consider Eco-Friendly Options: Look for environmentally friendly packaging materials that are not only cost-effective but also sustainable. Recycled cardboard boxes, biodegradable packaging peanuts, and compostable mailers are eco-friendly alternatives that can help reduce shipping costs, improve brand reputation all while minimizing environmental impact.

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By implementing these three simple tips, you can effectively reduce shipping costs for your e-commerce business. Remember to regularly review and adjust your shipping strategies to ensure ongoing cost savings and optimal efficiency. With a little planning and optimization, you can streamline your shipping process and boost your bottom line while providing excellent service to your customers.