10 Biggest and Fastest Ways to Save in Global Supply Chains

Ship smarter, worldwide: 10 Strategies for success

Streamline, save, and strategize across every border with these action-oriented tactics that maximize efficiencies and performance.

1) Leverage cargo consolidation

Few companies can fill a container with their own freight. Work with a freight consolidator to get better rates and increase cargo security.

• Basic
• Wider range of savings

2) Purchase cargo insurance

Understanding the risks and purchasing the right type of insurance can help protect the value of the goods you ship globally.

• Basic
• Narrower range of savings

3) Benefit from transportation provider’s TMS

Achieve continuous improvements in real time by using a provider that has a single system TMS architecture that works across all regions and covers all types of transportation.

• Basic
• Wider range of savings

4) Redefine your shipping strategy

Develop a plan to spend more on shipping but less on inventory, storage, returns and other costs by shipping smaller quantities more frequently.

• Advanced
• Wider range of savings

5) Create a risk management strategy

Identify and understand the risk types, probabilities and potential costs to buy the appropriate amount of ocean cargo insurance.

• Advanced
• Wider range of savings

6) Integrate to a single TMS

Integrate to a single transportation provider’s TMS to connect with suppliers and carriers globally, without having to integrate each one of them separately to your system.

• Advanced
• Widest range of savings

7) Effectively use Incoterms^®

These rules define the responsibilities of sellers and buyers for the delivery under sales contract, and they establish where the transfer of risk takes place. Understanding how to use them can help you save money.

• Complex
• Wider range of savings

8) Work with a customs expert

A customs expert can help you navigate each country’s compliance requirements with their own specific set of customs rules, governmental regulations, VAT, duty rate calculations, and payment plans.

• Complex
• Wider range of savings

9) Leverage transportation provider's BI

Leverage your transportation provider’s business intelligence reporting and analytics to improve your supply chain performance.

• Complex
• Narrower range of savings

10) Utilize PO management

Manage shipment windows, work with overseas vendors to coordinate bookings, manage exceptions, collect and distribute documents, and provide reporting at the shipment PO/line item.

• Complex
• Wider range of savings

Global shippers

Opportunities

• Omni channel business
• Increasing levels of global sourcing

Challenges

• Longer and more complex supply chains
• Rising costs of supply chain management

Work with C.H. Robinson to learn more about how you can increase savings in your global supply chain.