Moby Dick 3pl Blog
Shipping Containers to Fulfillment Centers: A Guide for Ecommerce Businesses
As ecommerce businesses continue to grow, the process of getting products from the manufacturer to the customer becomes increasingly complex. Shipping containers directly to fulfillment centers can be an effective strategy for streamlining operations and scaling quickly. In this guide, we'll cover the definition, time, cost, and benefits of shipping containers directly to fulfillment centers, as well as the best practices for palletizing shipments, the process of a fulfillment center receiving product, and how third-party logistics providers can help.
What is Shipping Containers Directly to Fulfillment Centers?
Shipping containers directly to fulfillment centers involves sending a container of products from the manufacturer to the fulfillment center, bypassing any intermediate warehouses or distribution centers. The fulfillment center then processes and ships the products directly to the end customer.
Benefits of Shipping Containers Directly to Fulfillment Centers
There are several benefits to shipping containers directly to fulfillment centers, including:
- Reduced shipping time: By skipping intermediate warehouses or distribution centers, products can reach the end customer faster.
- Streamlined operations: Shipping containers directly to fulfillment centers can simplify logistics and reduce the number of touchpoints involved in getting products to the customer.
- Scalability: As ecommerce businesses grow, shipping containers directly to fulfillment centers can help manage increased demand and volume of products.
- Reduced shipping time: By skipping intermediate warehouses or distribution centers, products can reach the end customer faster.
- Cost savings: Shipping containers directly to fulfillment centers can reduce shipping costs by consolidating shipments and reducing the number of intermediate touchpoints involved.
Best Practices for Palletizing Shipments
When shipping containers directly to fulfillment centers, businesses may choose to palletize shipments or floor load them. Palletizing shipments involves loading products onto pallets and securing them with shrink wrap or strapping. Here are some best practices for palletizing shipments:
- Consider the size and weight of products: Pallets have weight limits and size restrictions, so it's important to ensure that the products can be safely loaded onto the pallets.
- Choose the right pallets: Pallets should be sturdy and in good condition to ensure that products are not damaged during transit.
- Secure products properly: Products should be securely fastened to the pallets with shrink wrap or strapping to prevent shifting or damage during transit.
- Label pallets clearly: Pallets should be labeled clearly with the product name, SKU, and quantity to ensure that they are easily identifiable and traceable.
When is Palletizing Shipments Not Best Practice?
While palletizing shipments can be a good option in some cases, there are situations where it may not be the best practice. Here are some scenarios where it may be better to floor load shipments:
- When products are irregularly shaped or oversized: Pallets may not be able to accommodate irregularly shaped or oversized products, making floor loading a better option.
- When products are lightweight: Pallets have weight limits, and if products are lightweight, it may not make sense to palletize them.
- When fulfillment center capabilities are limited: Some fulfillment centers may not have the equipment or resources to handle palletized shipments, making floor loading a better option.
Cost Differences between Palletized and Floor Loaded Shipments
There are cost differences between palletized and floor loaded shipments, including:
- Palletizing shipments can add additional costs for pallets, shrink wrap or strapping, and labor to load and unload the pallets.
- Floor loading can be less expensive than palletizing shipments, but it can also increase the risk of damage to products if they are not properly secured.
Process of a Fulfillment Center Receiving Product
When a shipping container arrives at a fulfillment center, there are several steps involved in receiving the product. Here is a general outline of the process:
- Inspect the shipping container: The shipping container is inspected to ensure that it is in good condition.
- Unload the container: The container is unloaded, and the products are sorted based on their SKU and condition.
- Verify the quantity and quality of products: The fulfillment center checks the quantity and quality of products to ensure that they match the purchase order and are in good condition.
- Prepare products for storage: The products are prepared for storage, which may involve palletizing them or storing them on shelves or in bins.
- Update inventory: The fulfillment center updates its inventory management system to reflect the new products that have been received.Replenish stock: If the products are in demand, they may be immediately put into fulfillment and used to replenish stock.
- Replenish stock: If the products are in demand, they may be immediately put into fulfillment and used to replenish stock.
Time to Ship Products from a Fulfillment Center
The time it takes to ship products from a fulfillment center can vary depending on several factors, including:
- The location of the fulfillment center: If the fulfillment center is located far from the customer, it can take longer for products to reach their destination.
- The shipping method: The shipping method chosen by the customer can impact the time it takes for the products to arrive.
- Order processing time: The time it takes for the fulfillment center to process and package the order can impact shipping time.
Working with Moby Dick 3PL
If you are an ecommerce business looking to ship containers directly to a fulfillment center, working with a third-party logistics provider (3PL) like Moby Dick can help simplify the process. Here are some ways Moby Dick can assist:
- Transportation: Moby Dick can handle the transportation of shipping containers from the manufacturer to the fulfillment center, reducing the number of touchpoints involved in the logistics process.
- Warehousing: Moby Dick can store products in its warehouse, providing space and resources for palletizing or floor loading shipments.
- Inventory management: Moby Dick can manage inventory and track products as they move through the fulfillment process, ensuring accurate and timely fulfillment
- Order fulfillment: Moby Dick can pick and pack orders, process returns, and handle shipping, reducing the workload and resources required by the ecommerce business.
Wrap Up
Shipping containers directly to fulfillment centers can be an effective strategy for ecommerce businesses looking to streamline operations and scale quickly. Palletizing shipments can be a good option in some cases, but floor loading may be a better choice in other situations. The cost and time differences between the two options should be carefully considered. The process of a fulfillment center receiving products involves several steps, including inspection, unloading, verification, and inventory management. Working with a 3PL like Moby Dick can help ecommerce businesses manage shipping container logistics and streamline fulfillment processes.
