A cross-border dedicated shipping line is a shipping method that typically transports goods by air from one nation to another following consolidation. It resembles shuttles in some ways. There is no flexibility in the route or schedule. Following customs clearance, the local agents will deliver the packages to the customer after they have been shipped from the manufacturer. In general, shipping costs are less than those for international express services. When it comes to timeliness, dedicated air shipment is quicker than small package shipment but a little slower than international air shipment. Businesses primarily in developed nations in North America and Europe use dedicated lines (and sometimes Australia). Many shipping companies now offer dedicated line shipping services for sending packages to the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Dedicated line services reduce costs by offering lower rates for larger shipments. It can benefit them by reducing shipping costs and increasing their profit margins. Some companies won’t ship items until they’ve reached a certain number of orders.
A solution to any sort of disruption in the supply chain is to include dedicated shipment lines in your own supply chain. This solution gives you the ability to customize processes specifically for customers. In large markets they utilize specialized transportation on their own logistics, giving them the freedom to create a seven-day-per-work-weeks schedule, something that national carriers cannot do at this time. And because these shipments are made every day, they mitigate the impact of spikes caused by traditional pool models where only five days out of seven are actually being used.
It’s important to note that dedicated line shipments also have the added benefit of being set up, especially for the unique challenges that may arise when delivering packages to certain types of customers. After all, some products and some companies are inherently different and cannot be shipped the same way as others.
Dedicated line shipments mean a specific type of delivery where the shipper buys a route from the carrier that is only for them. No other customer. No other shipments. Nothing is mixed together. Often this service is cheaper than a pooled delivery model like UPS and FedEx, and dedicated line shipping couriers in China, such as “Yunexpress” and “Yanwen”. They offer dedicated shipping line to many countries, which ships from China.
For certain shippers, however, the dedicated line shipment model provides benefits and can cost less.
Dedicated lines offer several advantages including a faster shipping option that can be used with most carriers. Here’s a table of comparison between dedicated line shipping, international express and international postal services:
| Services | Dedicated Line Shipping | International Express | International Postal |
| Speed | Faster than postal parcels, and lower packet loss rates. | Faster than international postal. | Slower than international express and dedicated line shipping. |
| Cost | Cost reduced through scale effects and lower prices than commercial express delivery. | Expensive than dedicated line and international postal as the service is more efficient. | Cheaper, good for a cost-effective alternative. |
| Type of Product | Large quantities of goods. Mid-range products
|
High value goods.
|
Normal goods. Subject to restriction of courier |
Tracking
If you’re sending something via dedicated line shipping, you’ll probably receive a tracking number that lets you follow the progress of your package online. You can also get updates about the status of your order through email if you’d rather not check the website every day. Tracking numbers are generally provided within 24 hours after leaving the store, and you should receive them via email shortly afterward.
Customs Clearance
If you use special line delivery, you don’t have to worry about clearing customs duties because they’re automatically paid for by the carrier. However, if you select this option, be aware that there could potentially be an additional charge from the country where the package was shipped.
Insurance
If you choose to use dedicated line shipping you will need to purchase insurance for your shipment. You may want to consider purchasing insurance if you plan on sending valuable items or expensive electronic devices.
Size Requirements
Dedicated line shipments offer a larger weight allowance than regular ground shipments. Packages weighing up to 30kg can be shipped via these services.
Shipping Costs
The price of sending an object through dedicated line shipping can vary based on the weight of the package and the destination country. For example, if you send a large box to Australia, the shipping fees might be much higher than if you sent a small box to Canada. Shipping costs also depend on how quickly you want your package to arrive. A faster service means you pay more for the same speed. Some companies offer both international and domestic services. These include FedEx, DHL, UPS, and others.
Arrival Time
If you’re ordering from China, you might wish to choose a special express service for faster shipment. As with any shipment method, however, there might be delays during holiday periods. As an additional bonus, dedicated transport offers fast delivery times. A dedicated transport crew works closely with your logistic partner to optimize routes and schedules. This results in your order being delivered quickly and reliably, no matter how high the volume of orders were.
Shipping Methods
There are two types of dedicated lines: airfreight and ocean freight.
Airline Special Line
Most airlines offer this type of delivery option. It usually requires three to five business day delivery time.
Ocean Freight Special Line
Ocean freight special line (available only for large shipments) usually takes 10-14 working days to arrive at the final destinations. It usually takes 7-10 business days to arrive at your destination.
Shipping Locations
With the rise of eCommerce, there has been an increase in demand for fast deliveries. Dedicated lines are now available in more and more countries.
Guaranteed Freight Capacity
Freight capacity is guaranteed for your regular shipment needs, wherever and whenever your business requires it. As part of a dedicated contract, you and the carriers you choose will agree upon a predesignated route or geography, as well as a certain amount of trucks and trailers to meet your requirements. When your shipments surge, the carriers leverage their networks—including third-party capacity brokers—to guarantee timely delivery. Some businesses have the expansive reach and resources to ensure a seamless transport experience, regardless of changes in equipment, personnel, capacity, or technologies. Other firms have the ability to leverage their networks to maintain driver activity and avoid idling vehicles.
No Middlemen
Direct shipping eliminates the need for brokers or agents who charge commissions for matching shipper needs with carrier capacity. Instead, fulfillment companies directly contract with carriers, allowing them to offer lower rates than brokers.
Special Care and Handling of Freight = Reduced Risk
Dedicated line shipping fits perfectly with moves involving specialized vehicles and loading/unloading methods, such as storefront and warehouse deliveries, mobile roller conveyors, and Moffet-driven offloads. These services also offer specialty training to ensure the safe handling of your goods. For example, if you operate temperature-controlled trucks, your driver can keep your products cool during transit. And if you use a third-party logistics company, there’s always the chance that they might not be around when you need help. With dedicated transport, however, you can rest easy knowing that your shipment will arrive exactly when you need it.
Shipping Flexibility and Customization
Dedicated transport is built around your exact requirements. A great fulfillment provider conducts an operations assessment to understand what you’re doing, then builds a customized package based on those findings. They’ll keep track of shipments so you know exactly where they are, and help optimize your operation to make sure you get the right amount of service for your volume. They work alongside you every step of the way to ensure your dedicated shipping program meets your expectations. With dedicated transport, you can choose how large a fleet you’d like to own, and whether you’d rather lease or purchase vehicles. You can also decide how much capacity you want, and whether you’d like to pay upfront or spread out payments over time.
Industry Expertise
A good fulfillment company has worked with companies from different industries, such as retail, manufacturing, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), construction, health care, technology, education, etc.
Greater Shipment Predictability
With a dedicated fleet of trucks, you know that your goods keep moving consistently. Even when volume fluctuates, the shipping company can optimize routes to maximize its efficiency. Optimizing shipment schedules on your regular route allows for added value throughout the entire logistics chain.
More Consistent Pricing and Control of Costs
Longer contracts, greater predictability, and consistent volumes lead to more consistent prices. With a dedicated shipping logistics provider in place, your shipping costs are managed and predictable, protecting you from the effects of fluctuating markets.
Is a dedicated transportation solution right for you?
If you’re running a small or medium-sized business, there’s a good possibility that your business could benefit from a custom-built transportation system. Especially if you face these transportation issues:
- It’s difficult to manage the ever-changing regulatory requirements of fleets.
- Requiring special or specialty equipment and/or delivery methods
- Short delivery deadlines with high-valued or heat-sensitive freight.
- Needing capacity for seasonal high loads
- You want to improve the consistency of the number of products shipped per customer.
Dedicated Line Shipping with Next SmartShip
NextSmartShip is a technology-driven 4PL with an international fulfilment platform. Unlike traditional freight forwarders, the warehouses are located in six different countries around the world. They provide professional door-to-door fulfilment through an extensive global fulfilment network that includes hundreds of logistics channels. All logistics management can be done on a single platform with an in-house user-friendly Order Management System (OMS). As a logistics platform, NextSmartShip processes thousands of shipments per day, giving them significant negotiating power with courier partners for lower prices. NextSmartShip is faster than dedicated line and less expensive than international express, with a maximum delivery time of 7 days as opposed to conventional special line delivery time of 17 days. NextSmartShip integrates hundreds of shipping channels and operates eight global warehouses across the globe. With a network that covers 97% of the world’s countries and regions, NextSmartShip is an excellent option for dedicated line shipping.
