How to choose the best cross-border logistics method: small parcel, dedicated line or overseas warehouse?

I. Overview of three cross-border logistics methods

1. International small parcel
   Postal small parcel (such as China Post, Hong Kong Post, etc.)

Commercial express small parcel (such as DHL, FedEx small package service)

Features: light weight (usually less than 2kg), low unit price, slow time (15-60 days)

2. International dedicated line
   Airline dedicated line (air transport + local delivery in the destination country)

Sea freight dedicated line (suitable for large items or large quantities)

Features: medium price, medium time (7-20 days), weight and volume restrictions

3. Overseas warehouse
   Self-built overseas warehouse

Third-party overseas warehouse (such as Amazon FBA, barn, etc.)

Features: pre-stock, fast delivery (1-3 days), large capital occupation

II. Selection considerations

1. Product characteristics
   Weight/volume: small packages are suitable for <2kg; dedicated lines are suitable for 2-30kg; overseas warehouses are suitable for >5kg or large items

Value: high-value products are suitable for dedicated lines or overseas warehouses (reduce the risk of lost items)

Shelf life: short-shelf-life products are not suitable for overseas warehouses

Seasonality: seasonal products should be used with caution in overseas warehouses

2. Cost considerations
   Small packages: low first weight costs, but high re-weight costs

Dedicated lines: low unit weight costs, with minimum charges

Overseas warehouses: storage fees + operating fees + local delivery fees, the cost is optimal when the quantity is large

3. Timeliness requirements
   Urgent orders: overseas warehouses > dedicated lines > small packages

Regular orders: choose according to customer expectations

Promotion period: prepare goods in overseas warehouses in advance

4. Target market
   Single key market: overseas warehouses have obvious advantages

Multi-country dispersed orders: small packages or dedicated lines are more flexible

Countries with high customs clearance difficulties: choose dedicated lines with customs clearance services

III. Decision matrix
Scenario Recommended method Reason
New product testing period International small packages Low cost, low risk of trial and error
Stable sales of conventional goods, dedicated line + some overseas warehouses, balance cost and timeliness
Hot-selling products during the promotion period, prepare overseas warehouses in advance to ensure timely delivery
Large/heavy goods, dedicated sea freight lines or overseas warehouses, small packages are too expensive
High-value goods, dedicated lines or overseas warehouses, high security, low risk of lost items
Multi-country scattered small orders, international small packages Simple operation, controllable cost

IV. Hybrid strategy recommendations

Small package + dedicated line combination: select by segment according to order weight

Dedicated line + overseas warehouse combination: overseas warehouse for hot-selling products, dedicated line for long-tail products

Dynamic adjustment: quarterly evaluation based on sales data and logistics performance

V. Implementation steps

Analyze historical order data (weight, destination, timeliness requirements)

Calculate the logistics cost per unit order of each method

Evaluate customer sensitivity to freight and timeliness

Small-scale testing of different channels

Monitor KPI (delivery rate, damage rate, customer complaint rate)

Continuously optimize logistics combination

Choosing the best cross-border logistics method requires balancing cost, timeliness and service quality. It is recommended that sellers regularly review logistics data and dynamically adjust strategies according to the stage of business development. In the early stage, you can start with small packages, and gradually introduce dedicated lines and overseas warehouse services as the order volume grows.