Sourcing high-quality products is just the first step—getting them delivered on time and cost-efficiently is just as important. Poor planning leads to delays, damaged goods, and inflated costs. With the right approach, you can avoid common shipping pitfalls and protect your margins.
Know Your Shipping Terms
Understanding Incoterms is key to knowing who handles costs, risks, and logistics:
EXW (Ex-Works): You handle everything from the factory onward, including freight, insurance, and customs.
FOB (Free on Board): The supplier covers freight to the ship, and you take over from there.
CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight): The supplier pays for freight and insurance to your destination port.
Pro Tip: FOB offers a good balance of control and cost-efficiency, while CIF is easier if you’re new to logistics.
Avoiding the LCL Trap
Less-than-Container-Load (LCL) shipments may seem convenient, but they come with drawbacks:
Higher Freight Costs: LCL costs more per unit than Full Container Load (FCL).
Increased Handling Risks: More transfers mean a higher chance of damage.
Solution:
If you can’t fill a container, bundle multiple SKUs into one shipment.
Schedule shipments monthly or quarterly instead of frequent small orders.
Choosing the Right Port in Vietnam
Your choice of port impacts cost and efficiency:
Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) – Largest port, best for southern shipments.
Cai Mep (Vung Tau) – Deep-water port, ideal for large international vessels.
Hai Phong (near Hanoi) – Best for northern shipments.
Da Nang – Efficient but smaller, serving central Vietnam.
Pro Tip: Select a port close to your supplier to cut domestic transportation costs.
Cutting Freight Costs
Shipping is a major expense, but you can reduce costs with smart planning:
Consolidate Orders: Reduce frequent shipments and bundle SKUs.
Negotiate with Freight Forwarders: Strong relationships mean better rates.
Plan Around Peak Seasons: Avoid high-demand periods like pre-Tết (Lunar New Year) to save on premium freight rates.
Customs & Documentation: Avoid Delays
Incorrect paperwork can hold up shipments. Make sure you have:
Commercial Invoice – Describes products, values, and quantities.
Packing List – Details shipment contents.
Bill of Lading – Confirms cargo receipt by the carrier.
Pro Tip: Double-check all documents before submission—small errors lead to big delays.
How Link To Vietnam Simplifies Shipping
Shipping from Vietnam has its challenges—language barriers, regulations, and logistics complexities.
Link To Vietnam handles it all:
✔ Shipping Coordination – From the factory to the port, we manage it.
✔ Paperwork Management – Ensuring compliance with all shipping regulations.
✔ Freight Negotiation – We secure the best rates with trusted forwarders.
Whether it’s a single SKU or a consolidated shipment, we take care of the logistics so you don’t have to.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overusing LCL Shipments – Small shipments erode profit margins.
Last-Minute Planning – Poor planning leads to delays and inflated costs.
Skipping Quality Checks – Defects discovered post-shipping lead to costly returns.
Pro Tip: Use a shipping calendar to stay on top of logistics planning.
Link To Vietnam
Your Reliable Sourcing Partner
If you are planning to import—or already importing—from Vietnam, we can help.We’re your eyes and boots on the ground, ensuring your interests are protected and your expectations are met. From factory-ready designs to fully customized solutions, we support you in delivering quality products tailored to your needs.We offer peace of mind from sourcing to delivery.
Contact us today to optimize your shipping and logistics.
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