Your eCommerce Shipping Partner

eCommerce shipping refers to the process of delivering products purchased online to customers. It encompasses a range of activities from order receipt to final delivery, ensuring that items move efficiently and securely from the seller’s warehouse to the buyer’s doorstep.

There are several key steps in eCommerce shipping that ensure products ordered online are delivered efficiently and securely to customers. Here’s how the process works:

• Order placement: A customer places an order on an eCommerce platform, selecting their desired products and providing shipping details.
• Order processing: The order details are sent to the seller’s warehouse or fulfillment center, where the inventory is checked and the order is confirmed.
• Picking and packing: Warehouse staff locate the ordered items (picking) and package them securely (packing) to prevent damage during transit. Packaging often includes materials like bubble wrap, packing peanuts and branded boxes.
• Shipping label creation: A shipping label is generated with the customer’s address, shipping method and tracking information. This label is attached to the package.
• Carrier selection: The seller selects a shipping carrier based on factors such as delivery speed, cost and destination. Some sellers offer multiple shipping options to customers, such as standard, expedited or same-day delivery.
• Shipping and transit: The package is handed over to the chosen carrier, who then transports it through their logistics network. This can involve multiple transfer points and modes of transportation (e.g., trucks, planes).
• Tracking: Customers receive a tracking number that allows them to monitor the progress of their shipment. This transparency helps build trust and keeps customers informed about the expected delivery date.
• Delivery: The carrier delivers the package to the customer’s specified address. Some carriers offer additional services like delivery notifications or the ability to reschedule delivery times.
• Returns management: In cases where customers need to return products, the eCommerce service provides a streamlined returns process, including return labels and clear instructions to ensure hassle-free returns.

OSM typically works with customers who process 1,000+ packages daily, handling a variety of package sizes to meet the needs of different eCommerce businesses. Refer to OSM’s guidelines for domestic shipping.

For international shipping, review OSM’s international shipping guidelines.

OSM provides international shipping and comprehensive domestic shipping services within the United States, including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and military bases (APO/FPO/DPO).

OSM offers several convenient package service options to allow you to choose the solution that meets your business needs.

• Domestic shipping:
  Parcels
  Marketing Parcels 
  Bound Printer Matter (BPM)
• International shipping:
  Global Priority
  Global Priority ePacket
  Global Priority Parcel

• Domestic shipping timeframes
  98 percent of packages are delivered within 2–5 business days. OSM operates seven days a week, expediting middle mile processing to ensure your packages arrive on time.
• International shipping timeframes
  For international shipping, please refer to OSM’s international shipping guidelines to check the delivery timeframes for different shipping options. Delivery times may vary based on the destination country and the chosen shipping method.

When shipping products to customers, eCommerce businesses need to consider the following:

• Shipping rates: Shipping rates vary based on factors like package weight, dimensions, destination and shipping speed (standard, expedited, overnight).
• Packaging materials: Costs for boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, tape, labels and any custom or branded packaging. Proper packaging is crucial to protect products during transit and enhance the unboxing experience.
• Handling fees: Labor costs associated with picking, packing and preparing orders for shipment. This includes wages for warehouse staff and costs for maintaining fulfillment equipment.
• Shipping insurance: Optional insurance to cover the value of goods in case of loss, damage, or theft during transit. This is especially important for high-value items.
  Returns processing: Costs related to handling returns, including return shipping labels, restocking fees and the labor involved in inspecting and processing returned items.
• Customs and duties: For international shipments, businesses must account for customs duties, taxes and fees imposed by the destination country. These costs can be significant and vary widely.
• Shipping software and tools: Subscription fees for shipping management software or platforms that integrate with eCommerce sites to streamline label printing, tracking and carrier selection.
• Fuel surcharges: Additional fees carriers may charge to cover fluctuations in fuel prices, which can impact overall shipping costs.
• Warehousing and fulfillment: Costs associated with storing inventory and operating fulfillment centers, including rent, utilities and warehouse management systems.
• Promotional shipping offers: Expenses incurred from offering free or discounted shipping as part of marketing promotions, which can drive sales but impact profit margins.

Find assistance for shipping-related inquiries on our contact page.

The first step is to identify the social media platforms where your target audience spends their time. Once you’ve identified these platforms, you can create engaging content, partner with influencers and utilize built-in shopping features to convert followers into customers.

Learn more with OSM’s blog post, Navigating Social Commerce to Grow Sales. The article explores the benefits of social commerce and how to leverage it for your eCommerce business.

The shipping experience is a major factor in customer loyalty for eCommerce businesses. By providing a positive shipping experience, you can encourage customers to return to your store and recommend it to others.

OSM’s blog post, How the Shipping Experience Forges Brand Loyalty, offers six tips to consider, including transparency about shipping costs, a variety of shipping options and a simple return policy.

Customers like to see the total price upfront, including any handling fees, before they checkout. Transparency in shipping costs builds trust with the customer and reduces the chances of them abandoning their cart at the last minute.

You can find more details on this in OSM’s blog post, How Your Shipping Service Can Reduce Cart Abandonment.

Yes, absolutely. Well-developed relationships built on trust and communication, along with optimized processes to reduce overall business costs, can improve customer satisfaction, leading to more repeat business and referrals.

Learn more about how the right shipping partner can help you prosper with OSM’s blog post, Maximize Business Growth with the Right Shipping Partner. 

eCommerce businesses should regularly assess their shipping needs as their business grows. There are several signs that may indicate the need for a new shipping partner:

• Inflexible scheduling
• Confusing invoices
• Consistently missed delivery targets
• A partner who is not invested in helping you achieve your shipping goals

Learn more with OSM’s blog post, 8 Signs It’s Time to Reconsider Your Shipping Partner.

The middle mile is the stage where packages are transported from a central location to local hubs before being sent out for last mile delivery to the customer. It’s important for eCommerce businesses because optimizing this part of the process can help reduce shipping times and costs.

OSM Worldwide is an eCommerce package expeditor that optimizes middle mile processes using our exclusive OSM Premium Network. The network leverages streamlined transportation routes, technologically advanced operations and detailed data insights to ensure fast, cost-effective and reliable package delivery within 2-5 business days.

There are several factors to consider when choosing an international shipping option, including cost, package value, weight and destination. Take this quiz to help you choose the best option for your business needs.

When choosing a shipping service for international deliveries, it’s important to consider factors such as visibility (tracking information), cost and partnerships with international postal authorities.

OSM’s blog post, 4 Ways to Improve Your International Shipping Delivery Experience, discusses these factors in more detail.