Building a successful international e-commerce brand is a difficult task. Nations vary in their languages, currencies, and preferences for products. However, the primary challenges to global expansion involve global warehousing.
A global warehouse is vital for linking various sections of a global supply chain. The surge in e-commerce has boosted the need for international storage facilities. It is a procedure that impacts the transportation, handling, and transfer of merchandise between different countries.
An international facility offers secure storage options for belongings during global travel. These warehouses are situated near main transportation hubs and ports.
Advantages of Global Warehousing
International warehousing has numerous advantages. Some of the key advantages are listed below.
1. Costs Have Been Decreased
Global storage facilities aid in cutting costs related to inventory control, customs declaration, and transportation. Businesses can benefit from economies of scale, decrease the need for multiple warehouses, and secure improved shipping rates by centralizing product storage.
2. Improved Transparency in the Supply Chain
Global warehousing provides businesses with increased insight into their supply chain. This allows them to keep an eye on their deliveries and oversee stock levels immediately. In this way, it can assist companies in promptly addressing customer needs and market circumstances.
3. Quicker Delivery Periods
Global warehousing assists in decreasing lead times by providing a central spot for products. It allows businesses to meet customer orders and reduce shipping times.
4. Entering into New Markets
Global warehousing allows businesses to expand into new markets by offering the capability to store and deliver products in various countries. It enables companies to grow their customer base and increase earnings.
Types of International Warehouses
Here are the different types of international warehouses.
1. Public Warehouse
A public warehouse is accessible to all companies for their use, subject to the warehouse operator’s approval. Any business can use a public warehouse, as long as the warehouse operator allows it.
Typically, it is the top pick for e-commerce companies looking for a worldwide storage facility. This implies that they have the option to simply pay a fee to access fulfilment and storage services in a different country. This means they can avoid the effort of constructing their warehouse.
2. Private Warehouse
Private warehouses are owned by private companies. These serve as an extension of your business. In case your headquarters are in the UK, you can build a private warehouse, for your use- in some other country to cater to the demands of international shoppers.
3. Distribution Centre
A global distribution centre is different from a conventional warehouse. These warehouses store goods, while distribution centres will handle additional tasks, such as packing orders and fulfilling them. A few operators like TLS Technology provide both of these services.
4. Bonded Warehouse
It is a place for businesses to store inventory to be exported or imported. A bonded warehouse is also called a customer warehouse. They are run by the local government and are a way for businesses to transport products in and out of the nation without paying import duties or taxes.
Bottom Line
With global warehousing, you can create a better experience for your international customers while improving your shipping times drastically. International warehouses can feel like a fully integrated part of your company, even if it is miles away from its actual base. They ensure the timely delivery of your goods to international customers with minimal shipping problems and affordable costs.