Shipping Logistics: Definitions, Importance, Challenges, & More

Businesses have a lot to consider, especially when delivering goods to customers. How will they get their supply? How will those products be stored and delivered? How are orders processed, and what's the turnaround time before final delivery? These are all valid concerns, and any business hoping to succeed must have ironclad answers to meet and exceed the increasing demands of customers.

While these questions address points directly related to logistics, how your products reach their final destination requires a more specific niche: shipping logistics. This requires businesses to clearly understand how their products move through the supply chain and takes extensive planning to create a seamless experience for customers.

What Does Shipping Logistics Mean?

Shipping logistics is the process of transporting finished goods through the supply chain. It refers to all inbound and outbound movements of finished goods from your supply chain to the customer. 

When someone places an order to be delivered, a lot goes on behind the scenes as the ordered products travel through the supply chain. Shipping logistics is an integral part of overall business logistics and any B2C business.

It oversees the acquisition, storage and transportation of goods and works alongside other supply chain concepts to allow products to reach their final consumer. Shipping logistics relies on procurement logistics to manage product availability, warehousing to store the products and partnerships with freight shipping and carriers to deliver the final product.

Types of Shipping Logistics

Shipping logistics is an umbrella term for three key aspects of any B2C business. It involves getting products to their final destination and managing returns.

The overarching term of shipping logistics can be broken down into three central focuses: inbound, outbound and reverse logistics. Each serves an important purpose and businesses must have clear protocols for every stage to ensure smooth operations.

• Inbound logistics focuses on moving products from a manufacturer or supplier to a warehouse or fulfillment center. It's the process of procuring products to sell to end consumers. In other words, products move into the business' possession.
• Outbound logistics involves moving products from warehouses to customers. This could involve shipping products to retailers where customers buy them or shipping directly to consumers.
• Reverse logistics handles the process of receiving products from the consumer and providing an exchange or refund for the item. It also involves deciding what to do with the returned equipment, whether it's reselling, refurbishing, recycling or otherwise disposing of it.

Shipping vs. Logistics vs. Shipping Logistics

Shipping logistics combines two key concepts: shipping and logistics. It involves organizing transportation for products and ensuring the supply chain continues to move as it should. By seamlessly blending the strategic elements of getting products from one location to another with the practical application of shipping, you get shipping logistics.

Shipping logistics shouldn't be confused with either shipping or logistics. Shipping refers to the physical movement of goods from one place to another, while logistics is a blanket term for the overall synchronized operations that manage product acquisition, storage and transportation. 

Importance of Shipping Logistics (And Its Challenges)

In the wake of Amazon and rapid 1- to 2-day delivery speeds becoming the norm, shipping logistics have become increasingly critical to e-commerce operations. Customers have sky-high expectations for shipping speed, cost and the ability to track their deliveries. These aren't unreasonable expectations, and many companies can meet them, thanks to their shipping logistics. 

Inventories must be managed carefully to ensure products are stocked at strategically placed warehouses to allow for quick delivery. Orders must be processed and shipped quickly, and partnerships with carriers capable of swift movement are a necessity. These can be major roadblocks for small e-commerce setups that don't have the resources to invest in internal shipping logistics. As on-demand logistics continue to rise, e-commerce supply chains need a way to keep up.

Fortunately, there's a simple solution to this complication —  you can partner with a third-party logistics provider to manage your business' shipping logistics. Third-party logistics providers often have access to state-of-the-art software and partnerships with carriers and warehouses nationwide or worldwide. They help e-commerce companies deliver their products with speeds that rival big-name corporations.

Why Partner With Atlas International?

If you're ready to elevate your business with the help of a shipping logistics company, look no further than Atlas International.

Whether you have a small start-up e-commerce business or run a larger, more established company, Atlas International is ready to help. With decades of experience navigating international shipments, we can streamline your shipping logistics with an array of services, including supply chain management, warehouse management, home delivery service, project management and more.

We work with you to create a customized supply chain solution that helps you serve customers quicker than ever. With over 1,000 international warehouses and carrier partnerships, we can resolve any inefficiencies in your current supply logistics to save you time and money.

We work with companies across numerous industries, from e-commerce to restaurants and hospitality. With our top-of-the-line software and technology, tracking products at every stage of the supply chain becomes a breeze. 

We scale your shipping logistics alongside your business to help ensure happy customers. We can handle the seasonal hiring necessary to handle the influx of orders at certain times of the year or during big sales, minimizing the impact on customer experience during your busiest seasons.

Optimize Your Supply Chain With a Trusted Global Logistics Partner

No matter the size of your business, if you need help managing your supply chain or working out the logistics of shipping products, we're the ones to call. Whether you dream of taking your business across state borders or globally, we have the expertise and resources to help you make it happen. Reach out today to consult with one of our many knowledgeable representatives and learn how we can help you optimize your shipping logistics and help you unlock new growth opportunities. Contact us online or call (800) 446-2079 to get started.