How to Optimise Freight & Logistics for Ecommerce Profitability
For ecommerce brands, freight efficiency isn’t just about cost-cutting—it’s about protecting your margins, improving operations, and maintaining a competitive edge. This guide outlines proven logistics strategies to help you ship smarter and save.
1 - Maximise Container Space Utilisation
Freight costs are often calculated per container or cubic metre. If you’re leaving empty space in your containers, you’re leaving money on the table.
Fill Every Container Efficiently
Whether using 20ft or 40ft containers, ensure every cubic centimetre is being used. Avoid partial loads unless you're shipping urgently.
Consolidate SKUs for Better Volume Use
Group different products (SKUs) together to fill containers more effectively and reduce the number of shipments.
Benefits of Maximising Container Space
- Lower per-unit freight costs
- Reduced shipment frequency and fees
- Improved warehouse handling and storage flow
Pro Tip – Use Custom Carton Sizes
Standard cartons can waste space. Customise your packaging dimensions to fit better inside master cartons or pallets.
2 - Avoid Mixing Normal Cargo with Dangerous Goods
Combining general cargo with dangerous goods (DG) like batteries or chemicals can increase freight rates and limit carrier options.
Why Segregation Matters
DG shipments require special handling, licensing, and routes. When combined with regular items, the entire load may be charged as DG—even if only one item qualifies.
Benefits of Shipping Separately
- Access cheaper rates for normal goods
- Avoid compliance delays and fees
- More flexibility in carrier selection
Example – Battery Products
If only 10% of your stock includes lithium batteries, consider splitting that 10% into a DG shipment while keeping the rest as standard cargo.
3 - Leverage Data and Analytics to Drive Smarter Decisions
Ecommerce success increasingly depends on data-driven logistics. Knowing when, where, and how to ship can create serious efficiencies.
Analyse Historical Shipment Data
Review past shipments to understand seasonality, cost spikes, and underperforming carriers.
Forecast Demand Accurately
Use your ecommerce data and sales trends to predict inventory needs and reduce both stockouts and overstocks.
Recommended Tools
- Inventory systems: DEAR Systems, Unleashed
- Freight platforms: Freightos, MachShip
- Custom dashboards: Use integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, or NetSuite
Summary – Key Strategies for Streamlined Freight Operations
Top Takeaways
- Maximise container utilisation to reduce cost-per-unit
- Consolidate SKUs into fewer shipments to lower handling fees
- Separate dangerous goods from normal cargo to avoid premium charges
- Use data analytics to guide logistics decisions and forecasts
Why Freight Optimisation Matters in Ecommerce
Efficient freight practices go beyond operational savings. They help you:
- Maintain healthy margins
- Deliver faster and more reliably
- Scale without inflating logistics costs
- Improve your customer experience
Partner with Auvie Consultants to Optimise Your Operations and Scale Your Business!
Whether you're an ecommerce brand, a traditional business, or an SMB, Auvie Consultants is here to help. Our expertise in logistics optimisation, supply chain management, and operational efficiency ensures your business is equipped to reduce costs, streamline processes, and achieve scalable growth.
Let us transform your operations — so you can focus on what matters most: growing your business.
