Category: Freight

dimensional weight | stack of packages in front of a purple door
E-Commerce, Freight, Logistics, Shipping

What is Dimensional Weight (DIM)?

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When you think about shipping costs, shipping weight probably comes to mind soon after: the heavier the package, the more it costs to ship. This has been the case for as long as we can remember. However, as technology has changed and we’ve gotten much better at moving packages from one place to another, physical […]
port of seattle container shipping terminal | transloading
BC Business, Canadian Exports, Freight

Pacific NW Ports’ Perfect Storm

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In 2018, the Pacific Northwest cargo volume increased by 4.5%. Over congestion at California’s Ports combined with cost/capacity advantages found in Washington State and B.C., the Pacific Northwest ports are gaining market share, in particular the Canadian Ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert. In the Ports of Seattle/Tacoma, they’re improving their peel-off procedures to not […]
E-Commerce, Freight, Fulfillment, Holidays, Reverse Logistics, Supply Chain Management

Crushing It! Package Optimization

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With online holiday shopping in full swing the issue of ‘package optimization’ becomes a hot topic. It’s of particular concern for those companies who are unfortunately facing order returns, damaged goods and worse, dissatisfied customers. “Packaging strategies”, according to UPS vice president of Customer Solutions, Scott Mc Carley, “can have a pretty dramatic impact on […]
E-Commerce, Freight, Fulfillment, Reverse Logistics

E-Commerce Returns – Tips to reduce costs

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UPS reports high volumes of ‘holiday returns’ following 2016’s ‘unprecedented volume of online sales’.  E-Commerce returns present new challenges for sellers but in particular for Canadian e-commerce companies selling to U.S. consumers. Even for U.S. e-commerce retailers it’s a struggle to find balance between often unanticipated reverse logistics costs and satisfying their customers’ high expectations […]
Freight, Fulfillment, Reverse Logistics, Shipping, Warehousing

In Praise of the Lowly Pallet

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By: Jim Pettinger, President of UCanTrade, Inc. According to a recent article in Inbound Logistics magazine, “Some 80 percent of all U.S. commerce is carried on pallets, making them an indispensable part of nearly every supply chain.” They estimate there are over 2 billion pallets circulating around the United States of all sizes and makeup. […]
Freight, Fulfillment, Reverse Logistics, Shipping, US Sales, Warehousing

Selling to big retailers? Beware of charge-backs.

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By: Jim Pettinger, President of UCanTrade, Inc. In recent years, most “big box” retailers have followed Walmart’s lead by introducing “Vendor Compliance” programs. While understandable due to the huge volume of goods being received, the practice has also come under criticism for becoming a “revenue stream” rather than a reasonable business practice. Typical reasons for […]
Border, Canadian Exports, Cross-Border Business, E-Commerce, Freight, Fulfillment, Reverse Logistics, Shipping, US Sales, Warehousing

B.C. Businesses Cut Cross-Border Costs

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“Canadian companies want to consolidate several small shipments into a larger one to minimize customs clearance costs,” says Jim Pettinger, UCanTrade, Inc.’s president and CEO. “This is where UCanTrade can step in and provide cross docking services and work in conjunction with our client’s U.S. Customs Broker to expedite this process at a low cost.” […]
Border, Freight, Shipping

Interstate 5: Artery of Commerce in Western North America

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By: Elliott Smith Did you know: I-5 is the only road in the USA’s Interstate Highway system to run all the way from Canada to Mexico? At the Peace Arch, BC Highway 99 becomes Interstate 5 and runs through Washington, Oregon and California, passing through virtually all of the largest cities on the US west […]