By now most large shippers are either familiar with or utilizing one of the parcel services featuring final mile delivery by the USPS. UPS SurePost & UPS Mail Innovations, FedEx SmartPost and DHL Global... View More
When shippers evaluate their carriers, especially FedEx and UPS, they typically look at rates and service levels. Yet, with FedEx and UPS both offering similar supply chain solutions, and maintaining on... View More
In the supply chain world we rightfully worry about the packaging which protects our cargo. We ask: Is it safe, effective, economical, & practical? Does it contain consumer-directed messages that shout... View More
For many end-of-line packaging professionals, the choice of pallet packaging method may not immediately surface as a critical success factor when designing, upgrading or refurbishing a production line... View More
It’s no surprise that ground-based regional parcel carriers offer services that are more economical, flexible, and personal than the national giants. Shippers appreciate this. But they also put a... View More
What You Need to Know About USPS Intelligent Mail Package Barcodes By Adam Lewenberg, CMDSS, President of Postal Advocate Inc. The USPS is putting a major focus on the package market because it sees its... View More
A purchasing card (p-card), whether it’s a physical credit card or a ghost/electronic card, can be a very advantageous payment option for shippers looking to reduce the headaches caused by traditional... View More
The small parcel landscape has changed dramatically over the last few years now that the two national carriers no longer have a "low price leader" to compete with. Not only has there been a relentless... View More
Returns have always been a part of retail business. And each business has created policies and procedures that work for them. E-commerce is not different. In fact, the e-commerce trend is for increased... View More
UPS and FedEx are two of the best run corporations in the United States and they are extremely good at what they do; however, it is becoming more and more evident that both carriers have embarked on an... View More
Declared Value: There are certainly some situations where a shipper might use “declared value” or insurance provided by your small package carrier. If you are experiencing damage with your... View More
If you’re not using technology to select service levels, you may be giving your parcel carriers free money. We regularly see shippers that use Next Day Air, Next Day Air Saver, Priority Overnight... View More
The previous installment of Parcel Counsel, which appeared in the March/April 2013 issue of Parcel Magazine, featured a Bill of Lading Pop Quiz... View More
Whether you use a third-party audit company to monitor your weekly carrier invoices or have built a homegrown system to do it internally, it is important to understand the various degrees of auditing classifications... View More
For many end-of-line packaging professionals, the choice of pallet packaging method may not immediately surface as a critical success factor when designing, upgrading or refurbishing a production line... View More
As most readers know, the parcel carriers clearly state in their terms that packages tendered are subject to the carriers reweighing the parcel, and / or recalculating the dimensions of a package for the... View More
In a previous "Man Up" article, I proposed that since the parcel carriers have tremendous IT capability, and since they have the origin zip code, destination zip code, service level requested, weight,... View More
A complex international shipment delivered exactly on time, intact, and to the right address can still be a major failure if not properly documented as both an export in the country of origin and as an... View More
A common problem faced by shippers in today’s market is the failure to consider just how much minimums can influence the net impact on the incentive discounts of certain service levels. For some... View More
The best tip I can deliver today is to be open! Be open to a better way, to improving, to change, to evolving and take the risk and time of examination new ideas/processes. As a consultant working with... View More
