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If you're like most business owners, you're always looking for ways to save money. And one of the best ways to do that is by finding cheap shipping options. So, if you're looking to import products from Alibaba, here are a few tips on how to get the cheapest shipping rates possible.
What Is Alibaba?
Alibaba is the largest Asian eCommerce platform that has exceeded over US$600 billion in value. It is a B2B marketplace where buyers and sellers across the globe get connected and carry out transactions. The eCommerce platform has over 550 million monthly active mobile users. Overall, 150,000 sellers use Alibaba to introduce their products. The average shipping cost is between $6 and $15 per pound.
Alibaba is a Chinese technology conglomerate that specializes in e-commerce, retail, Internet, and multimedia services. Alibaba was founded in 1999 by Jack Ma and Daniel Zhang. Alibaba operates in over 190 countries and regions, and has over 500 million users worldwide.
Alibaba's mission is to make it easy for anyone to buy or sell anything, anywhere in the world. Alibaba is a great platform for businesses of all sizes to reach new customers, and for consumers to find affordable products.
Alibaba offers a variety of services, including online marketplaces such as Taobao and Tmall, payment platforms such as Alipay, and logistics services through Cainiao. Alibaba also invests in other companies, such as ride-hailing app Didi Chuxing, and food delivery service Ele.me.
Why Is Shipping Expensive On Alibaba Platform?
There are a few reasons for this.
1. Transactions on the Alibaba platform are high-value and so incur higher shipping costs.
2. Merchants on the Alibaba platform tend to ship in large quantities, which raises shipping costs for everyone involved.
3. The Alibaba platform is used by many small businesses, which often have lower shipping rates than larger businesses because they can take advantage of economies of scale.
4. Alibaba is a global marketplace, so shipping costs are affected by international rates.
5. The Alibaba platform is used by many businesses that ship products from China, which has higher shipping costs than other countries.
Overall, the main reason why shipping is expensive on the Alibaba platform is because transactions are high-value and merchants tend to ship in large quantities. However, there are a few other factors that play into this as well, such as the fact that Alibaba is a global marketplace and that many businesses on the platform ship from China. Shipping costs can be expensive, but there are ways to save money on shipping if you know what you're doing.
Related: Shipping from Alibaba to Amazon FBA- Keys to Success for New Entrepreneurs
How To Get Cheap Shipping On Alibaba
There are some important and effective ways through which shipping can get cheaper on the Alibaba platform. The following steps will be helpful for the shoppers to get cheap shipping.
Use Optimized Packaging
There is extra space inside the packaging at times, and the buyers have to pay for it. If this is not noticed, then the supply chain process will be disrupted. The shipping charges on Alibaba are based on the weight and volume factor. Therefore, you can easily save money and minimize your packaging charges by reducing the volume.
Related: Why Custom Packaging Is Vital for Your Ecommerce Brand
Plan the Right Route
When you're shipping products from Alibaba, it's important to plan the right route. This means choosing the most efficient and cost-effective shipping option available. You can use a tool like ShippingEasy to compare different shipping options and find the best rate for your shipment.
The shipping time differs from region to region. The Alibaba shipping time to USA is different from other countries like India or Thailand based on the distance.
Compare The Shipping Charges
The best way to compare the charges is by differentiating between the freight forwarders. But it’s better not to choose the one with a lower price, and it may have some illegal operational work. You need to choose a suitable charging shipping company. Estimation of volume, knowing about the follow-up service, and providing better compensation are the features of good shipping services.
Related: Cheapest Overnight Shipping Options for Retailers
Use an Online Shipping Calculator
There are many shipping calculators available online. You can easily find one of them online. Based on your shipping requirements, you can calculate the costs here. The online shipping calculating tools can give the approximate evaluation.
Consolidation Of Shipment
If you're shipping multiple products from Alibaba, you may be able to save on shipping costs by consolidating your shipments. This means sending all of your products in one shipment instead of multiple shipments. You can often find consolidation services through your chosen shipping carrier.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you should be able to get the cheapest shipping rates possible when importing products from Alibaba. But if you need help with fulfillment, don't hesitate to contact Simpl fulfillment. We can take care of all your order fulfillment needs so you can focus on what you do best - running your business. Thanks for reading!
Recommended: Shipping From China to Amazon FBA
