5 Ways to Reduce Shipping Costs Without Compromising Safety
For businesses that regularly ship equipment, machinery, valuable products, or other freight, transportation expenses can quickly become a significant part of the operating budget. The challenge is finding ways to reduce shipping costs without increasing the risk of damaged products, delays, or unexpected fees.
Fortunately, cutting shipping expenses doesn't have to mean cutting corners.
Smarter packaging, shipment consolidation, proper freight selection, and careful planning can help businesses control costs while keeping products protected throughout transit.
At AMEX International in Eagan, Minnesota, we help businesses throughout the Twin Cities with custom crating, packaging, warehousing, container loading, and shipping solutions designed around the specific needs of their freight.
Here are five ways businesses can potentially reduce shipping costs without compromising safety.
1. Use the Right Packaging for the Product
One of the first places to look for shipping savings is the packaging itself.
Using a crate or package that is unnecessarily large can increase the shipment's overall dimensions and weight. At the same time, trying to save money by using inadequate packaging can lead to product damage that costs far more than the packaging would have.
The goal is right-sized packaging.
Packaging should be designed around factors such as:
• Product dimensions and weight
• Fragility
• Value
• Transportation method
• Distance traveled
• Handling requirements
• Domestic versus international shipping
• Exposure to moisture or corrosion
For heavy, fragile, oversized, or high-value products, custom crating can provide a better balance between protection and shipping efficiency than attempting to adapt a standard crate or pallet.
AMEX International provides custom crating solutions in Eagan, MN, including solid-wall and slat-wall crates, custom pallets, blocking and bracing, protective packaging, corrosion-resistant wrapping, and handling indicators.
The objective isn't simply to use less packaging. It's to use the correct packaging in the correct places.
2. Consolidate Shipments When Possible
Sending several smaller shipments separately may be convenient, but it isn't always the most economical approach.
Businesses that regularly ship products to the same customer, facility, geographic area, or distribution point may benefit from consolidating multiple shipments into a larger load.
Instead of paying separate transportation and handling costs for several shipments, consolidation can help spread certain costs across a larger amount of freight.
For example, a company shipping several pallets during the same week may want to determine whether those shipments can be combined into a single larger freight movement.
Consolidation may also help reduce:
• Individual pickup charges
• Documentation and processing
• Handling
• Separate freight charges
• Repeated packaging requirements
However, consolidation needs to be planned correctly. Products still need to be properly secured and protected within the pallet, crate, truck, or ocean container.
A less expensive shipment isn't a bargain if products arrive damaged.
3. Choose the Correct Freight Method
Not every shipment needs the fastest transportation method available.
Choosing between parcel, less-than-truckload (LTL), full truckload (FTL), air freight, ocean freight, and other transportation options should depend on the characteristics and deadline of the shipment.
Ask questions such as:
How quickly does the product actually need to arrive?
How large and heavy is the shipment?
Is the product particularly valuable or fragile?
Could multiple shipments be combined?
Does the shipment require special handling?
Is the shipment domestic or international?
For example, expedited transportation may make sense for a time-critical component needed to keep a production line operating. The same expense may not be necessary for inventory that isn't needed for several weeks.
Similarly, repeatedly shipping multiple LTL loads on the same route may warrant reviewing whether consolidation or another freight method would be more economical.
Matching the transportation method to the actual requirements of the shipment can help businesses avoid paying for services they don't need.
4. Prevent Damage Before It Becomes an Expense
One of the most overlooked shipping costs is damaged freight.
Product damage can create expenses well beyond the value of the damaged item itself.
A damaged shipment may result in:
• Replacement products
• Return freight
• Additional packaging
• Reshipping costs
• Insurance claims
• Production delays
• Customer dissatisfaction
• Lost employee time
For expensive machinery, equipment, electronics, artwork, or specialized products, those costs can become substantial.
That's why blocking, bracing, cushioning, wrapping, and proper load distribution shouldn't be viewed simply as additional shipping expenses. They are forms of risk management.
AMEX International provides blocking and bracing for ocean container loading to help prevent products from shifting while in transit. Protective options can also include custom crating and corrosion-resistant wrapping depending on the shipment.
Spending appropriately on protection before shipping can be considerably less expensive than dealing with damaged freight afterward.
5. Plan Shipping Earlier
Last-minute shipping usually means fewer options.
When a shipment suddenly needs to arrive across the country—or across the world—in a very short period, businesses may have little choice but to pay for expedited transportation.
Planning shipments earlier creates more flexibility.
Businesses may have additional time to:
• Compare transportation methods
• Consolidate shipments
• Build appropriate custom crates
• Prepare export documentation
• Schedule warehouse space
• Coordinate pickups
• Properly block and brace freight
• Select economical transit times
This can be particularly important for international shipments.
Wood packaging used for certain international shipments must meet applicable requirements. AMEX International is IPPC certified and uses ISPM 15-compliant wood for its export crates and pallets.
Planning ahead gives your shipping and crating provider time to prepare the freight correctly instead of trying to solve problems at the last minute.
The Cheapest Shipping Option Isn't Always the Lowest-Cost Option
Businesses looking to reduce freight expenses should consider the total cost of shipping, not simply the initial freight quote.
Imagine two shipping options.
One costs slightly less but requires inadequate packaging, involves more handling, and creates a greater risk of damage.
The other costs slightly more upfront but provides appropriate packaging, secure blocking and bracing, and a transportation method suited to the product.
If the cheaper option results in damage, delays, or additional charges, it can quickly become the more expensive choice.
Effective shipping cost management is about finding the right combination of packaging, protection, consolidation, transportation, and planning.
Cost-Efficient Crating and Shipping Solutions in Eagan, MN
Businesses throughout Eagan, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the greater Twin Cities area don't have to choose between controlling shipping costs and protecting valuable products.
AMEX International has provided custom crating and hazardous material handling services in the Twin Cities area for more than 25 years. Services include:
• Custom crating
• Custom pallets
• Export-compliant packaging
• ISPM 15-compliant crates
• Blocking and bracing
• Ocean container loading
• Warehousing
• Corrosion-resistant wrapping
• Hazardous material handling
• Shipping and packaging solutions
Whether you're shipping a single valuable item, industrial equipment, multiple pallets, or an entire ocean container, proper planning can help identify opportunities to improve efficiency while protecting your products.
Need help determining the safest and most cost-efficient way to prepare your next shipment? Contact AMEX International in Eagan, MN for a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a business reduce shipping costs without risking product damage?
Businesses can reduce shipping costs by right-sizing packaging, consolidating compatible shipments, selecting the appropriate freight method, planning shipments earlier, and using proper blocking, bracing, and protective packaging. The goal should be eliminating unnecessary costs rather than eliminating necessary protection.
Can custom crating actually help reduce shipping costs?
It can. A properly designed custom crate can eliminate unnecessary size and materials while providing the protection required for the product. Custom crating can also help prevent costly damage during handling and transportation.
Is it cheaper to consolidate freight shipments?
In many situations, yes. Combining multiple smaller shipments traveling along similar routes can reduce per-unit transportation and handling costs. Whether consolidation makes sense depends on shipment size, weight, destination, timing, and freight method.
What is the difference between LTL and FTL shipping?
LTL (less-than-truckload) shipping allows your freight to share trailer space with shipments from other customers. FTL (full truckload) generally dedicates the truck or trailer to one shipment. Smaller shipments often use LTL, while larger loads may make FTL or another freight option more economical.
Why are blocking and bracing important when shipping freight?
Blocking and bracing help prevent cargo from shifting during transportation. Movement inside a crate, trailer, or shipping container can cause product damage and may create safety concerns. Properly securing the load helps protect both the freight and the people handling it.
Does AMEX International provide international shipping crates?
Yes. AMEX International in Eagan, Minnesota is IPPC certified and uses ISPM 15-compliant wood for its export crates and pallets. The company provides custom crating and packaging solutions for domestic and international shipping.
Does AMEX International provide ocean container loading?
Yes. AMEX International provides ocean container loading along with blocking and bracing designed to protect products from shifting and damage while in transit.
Matt Hagdorn - AMEX International, Inc.
Post by AI - March 5, 2025
For businesses that regularly ship equipment, machinery, valuable products, or other freight, transportation expenses can quickly become a significant part of the operating budget. The challenge is finding ways to reduce shipping costs without increasing the risk of damaged products, delays, or unexpected fees.
Fortunately, cutting shipping expenses doesn't have to mean cutting corners.
Smarter packaging, shipment consolidation, proper freight selection, and careful planning can help businesses control costs while keeping products protected throughout transit.
At AMEX International in Eagan, Minnesota, we help businesses throughout the Twin Cities with custom crating, packaging, warehousing, container loading, and shipping solutions designed around the specific needs of their freight.
Here are five ways businesses can potentially reduce shipping costs without compromising safety.
1. Use the Right Packaging for the Product
One of the first places to look for shipping savings is the packaging itself.
Using a crate or package that is unnecessarily large can increase the shipment's overall dimensions and weight. At the same time, trying to save money by using inadequate packaging can lead to product damage that costs far more than the packaging would have.
The goal is right-sized packaging.
Packaging should be designed around factors such as:
• Product dimensions and weight
• Fragility
• Value
• Transportation method
• Distance traveled
• Handling requirements
• Domestic versus international shipping
• Exposure to moisture or corrosion
For heavy, fragile, oversized, or high-value products, custom crating can provide a better balance between protection and shipping efficiency than attempting to adapt a standard crate or pallet.
AMEX International provides custom crating solutions in Eagan, MN, including solid-wall and slat-wall crates, custom pallets, blocking and bracing, protective packaging, corrosion-resistant wrapping, and handling indicators.
The objective isn't simply to use less packaging. It's to use the correct packaging in the correct places.
2. Consolidate Shipments When Possible
Sending several smaller shipments separately may be convenient, but it isn't always the most economical approach.
Businesses that regularly ship products to the same customer, facility, geographic area, or distribution point may benefit from consolidating multiple shipments into a larger load.
Instead of paying separate transportation and handling costs for several shipments, consolidation can help spread certain costs across a larger amount of freight.
For example, a company shipping several pallets during the same week may want to determine whether those shipments can be combined into a single larger freight movement.
Consolidation may also help reduce:
• Individual pickup charges
• Documentation and processing
• Handling
• Separate freight charges
• Repeated packaging requirements
However, consolidation needs to be planned correctly. Products still need to be properly secured and protected within the pallet, crate, truck, or ocean container.
A less expensive shipment isn't a bargain if products arrive damaged.
3. Choose the Correct Freight Method
Not every shipment needs the fastest transportation method available.
Choosing between parcel, less-than-truckload (LTL), full truckload (FTL), air freight, ocean freight, and other transportation options should depend on the characteristics and deadline of the shipment.
Ask questions such as:
How quickly does the product actually need to arrive?
How large and heavy is the shipment?
Is the product particularly valuable or fragile?
Could multiple shipments be combined?
Does the shipment require special handling?
Is the shipment domestic or international?
For example, expedited transportation may make sense for a time-critical component needed to keep a production line operating. The same expense may not be necessary for inventory that isn't needed for several weeks.
Similarly, repeatedly shipping multiple LTL loads on the same route may warrant reviewing whether consolidation or another freight method would be more economical.
Matching the transportation method to the actual requirements of the shipment can help businesses avoid paying for services they don't need.
4. Prevent Damage Before It Becomes an Expense
One of the most overlooked shipping costs is damaged freight.
Product damage can create expenses well beyond the value of the damaged item itself.
A damaged shipment may result in:
• Replacement products
• Return freight
• Additional packaging
• Reshipping costs
• Insurance claims
• Production delays
• Customer dissatisfaction
• Lost employee time
For expensive machinery, equipment, electronics, artwork, or specialized products, those costs can become substantial.
That's why blocking, bracing, cushioning, wrapping, and proper load distribution shouldn't be viewed simply as additional shipping expenses. They are forms of risk management.
AMEX International provides blocking and bracing for ocean container loading to help prevent products from shifting while in transit. Protective options can also include custom crating and corrosion-resistant wrapping depending on the shipment.
Spending appropriately on protection before shipping can be considerably less expensive than dealing with damaged freight afterward.
5. Plan Shipping Earlier
Last-minute shipping usually means fewer options.
When a shipment suddenly needs to arrive across the country—or across the world—in a very short period, businesses may have little choice but to pay for expedited transportation.
Planning shipments earlier creates more flexibility.
Businesses may have additional time to:
• Compare transportation methods
• Consolidate shipments
• Build appropriate custom crates
• Prepare export documentation
• Schedule warehouse space
• Coordinate pickups
• Properly block and brace freight
• Select economical transit times
This can be particularly important for international shipments.
Wood packaging used for certain international shipments must meet applicable requirements. AMEX International is IPPC certified and uses ISPM 15-compliant wood for its export crates and pallets.
Planning ahead gives your shipping and crating provider time to prepare the freight correctly instead of trying to solve problems at the last minute.
The Cheapest Shipping Option Isn't Always the Lowest-Cost Option
Businesses looking to reduce freight expenses should consider the total cost of shipping, not simply the initial freight quote.
Imagine two shipping options.
One costs slightly less but requires inadequate packaging, involves more handling, and creates a greater risk of damage.
The other costs slightly more upfront but provides appropriate packaging, secure blocking and bracing, and a transportation method suited to the product.
If the cheaper option results in damage, delays, or additional charges, it can quickly become the more expensive choice.
Effective shipping cost management is about finding the right combination of packaging, protection, consolidation, transportation, and planning.
Cost-Efficient Crating and Shipping Solutions in Eagan, MN
Businesses throughout Eagan, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the greater Twin Cities area don't have to choose between controlling shipping costs and protecting valuable products.
AMEX International has provided custom crating and hazardous material handling services in the Twin Cities area for more than 25 years. Services include:
• Custom crating
• Custom pallets
• Export-compliant packaging
• ISPM 15-compliant crates
• Blocking and bracing
• Ocean container loading
• Warehousing
• Corrosion-resistant wrapping
• Hazardous material handling
• Shipping and packaging solutions
Whether you're shipping a single valuable item, industrial equipment, multiple pallets, or an entire ocean container, proper planning can help identify opportunities to improve efficiency while protecting your products.
Need help determining the safest and most cost-efficient way to prepare your next shipment? Contact AMEX International in Eagan, MN for a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a business reduce shipping costs without risking product damage?
Businesses can reduce shipping costs by right-sizing packaging, consolidating compatible shipments, selecting the appropriate freight method, planning shipments earlier, and using proper blocking, bracing, and protective packaging. The goal should be eliminating unnecessary costs rather than eliminating necessary protection.
Can custom crating actually help reduce shipping costs?
It can. A properly designed custom crate can eliminate unnecessary size and materials while providing the protection required for the product. Custom crating can also help prevent costly damage during handling and transportation.
Is it cheaper to consolidate freight shipments?
In many situations, yes. Combining multiple smaller shipments traveling along similar routes can reduce per-unit transportation and handling costs. Whether consolidation makes sense depends on shipment size, weight, destination, timing, and freight method.
What is the difference between LTL and FTL shipping?
LTL (less-than-truckload) shipping allows your freight to share trailer space with shipments from other customers. FTL (full truckload) generally dedicates the truck or trailer to one shipment. Smaller shipments often use LTL, while larger loads may make FTL or another freight option more economical.
Why are blocking and bracing important when shipping freight?
Blocking and bracing help prevent cargo from shifting during transportation. Movement inside a crate, trailer, or shipping container can cause product damage and may create safety concerns. Properly securing the load helps protect both the freight and the people handling it.
Does AMEX International provide international shipping crates?
Yes. AMEX International in Eagan, Minnesota is IPPC certified and uses ISPM 15-compliant wood for its export crates and pallets. The company provides custom crating and packaging solutions for domestic and international shipping.
Does AMEX International provide ocean container loading?
Yes. AMEX International provides ocean container loading along with blocking and bracing designed to protect products from shifting and damage while in transit.
Matt Hagdorn - AMEX International, Inc.
Post by AI - March 5, 2025