Shipping from one city to another, be it within India or internationally is quite the operational challenge. More and more logistics startups are coming up with novel ideas to simplify the cross-country shipping process, while streamlining the supply chain. While the logistics sector focuses more on nationwide shipping, the need for fast and efficient intra-city shipping in India often gets overlooked. The demand for same day delivery is rising rapidly in fast-growing Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. To keep up with the same, businesses need to upgrade their intra-city shipping methods and meet ultra-fast delivery timelines.
Shipping from one point to another within a city can be a complex process, and it requires careful planning and execution to ensure that goods are delivered safely and on time. Whether you're a small business owner or a wholesale retailer, there are a number of factors to consider before your shipments hit the road. From selecting the right shipping vehicle to properly adhering to government regulations, successful intra-city shipping involves a number of crucial steps. This blog presents a list of do's and don'ts of intra-city shipping that can help you navigate the process with ease while moderating your shipping costs.
DO’S:
Plan ahead
Make sure to plan your shipment delivery days in advance, if not weeks. You need to have a meticulously chalked out plan in terms of route optimization, targeted delivery SLAs, chances of traffic congestion and even weather disturbances like rain or storm. Leverage the power of AI and IoT-based softwares to stay updated on the latest data in these aspects.
Find a trusted shipping service in your city
If you are a B2C or D2C business, it is always advisable to outsource your intra-city shipping to a 3PL logistics company. That way, you don’t have to deal with any fulfillment-related headaches and can keep your complete focus on your business. While options are aplenty, there are also certain things to keep in mind while finding your ideal 3PL fulfillment partner. Read this article to find out more.
Choose the right vehicle
Don’t compromise when choosing your shipping vehicle. Ask your shipping providers to arrange a vehicle that can adequately accommodate your shipment's size and weight, and make sure it is in good condition to prevent breakdowns or accidents. It is advisable to opt for a high-rated intra-city shipping service, who can offer 2 or 3-wheelers and even trucks in flawless condition. Make sure that all your shipping vehicles come with updated pollution certificates.
Communicate with your customer
Ensure that your customer stays informed about the status of their shipment at all times and provide them with an estimated delivery time. Premium intra-city shipping services like Blowhorn also offer end customers the option to track their shipments in real-time. Even if you forget, Blowhorn will remind your customers about their upcoming deliveries and schedule the delivery slot as per their availability.
Maintain detailed records
Keep end-to-end records of all your invoices, contracts and communication documents with your shipping provider. This will help you avoid any untoward incident, particularly if you are shipping with any local courier vendor. The hassle can be bypassed by simply partnering with a well-known and trusted logistics service company. Also, always track the whereabouts of your shipment while it is in transit.
DON’TS:
Rush your packaging
Make sure to properly package and secure your goods to prevent any sort of damage during transport. For delicate and fragile items, use appropriate materials such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts, styrofoam and sturdy boxes. Take extra caution in case of luxury items like electronics or jewelry, or even pharmaceutical goods. You might also need to take additional precautions to ship easily perishable goods like food, groceries, beverages or other temperature-controlled items.
Disregard weight limitations:
Don't exceed the weight or size limits of your vehicle to cut down costs, as this can lead to hazardous accidents and incur heavy losses in the end.
Ignore local regulations
Be sure to be up to date on local regulations for any specific requirements for shipping a particular type of goods within your city. This is especially important if you are shipping chemicals, industrial equipment, medicines or alcoholic beverages. Make sure to obtain any necessary permits or licenses required for transporting certain types of goods.
Neglect traffic rules
Don’t jump signals or drive beyond the speed limit simply to fulfill your delivery SLAs. Such traffic hassles can be avoided with any trusted shipping service who come with trained professional drivers and the backing of route-optimization softwares.
Overlook environmental concerns
Be aware of any environmental concerns related to your shipment, such as carbon footprint, vehicular emissions or noise pollution. Take appropriate measures to minimize your impact. If possible, you can opt for electric or clean fuel vehicles to deliver your shipments with zero carbon footprint.
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