For Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), shipping is a vital part of business operations. However, many businesses still make shipping mistakes that can lead to financial losses and damage customer trust.
Here are five common shipping mistakes often made by SMEs, along with tips on how to avoid them:
One of the most frequent issues is careless packaging. Products are often wrapped haphazardly without considering the risk of damage during transit. As a result, items may arrive in poor condition or even broken.
Solution: Use proper protective materials such as corrugated cardboard, bubble wrap, or foam. Tailor the packaging to the product type, and make sure it's securely sealed. For fragile items, add clear handling instructions like “Fragile” or “Handle with Care.”
Shipping to an incomplete or incorrect address can result in delays, returns, or lost parcels—hurting both time and customer satisfaction.
Solution: Always double-check the shipping address before dispatching. Ensure that the recipient’s name, full address (including postal code), and active phone number are correctly provided. Use address validation features if available on your e-commerce platform or shipping provider.
Some SMEs avoid purchasing shipping insurance to cut costs. However, in the event of loss or damage, the financial loss can far exceed the small cost of insurance coverage.
Solution: Opt for shipping services that offer insurance options. For high-value or fragile goods, it’s always wise to include insurance for added security.
Neglecting to track shipments can leave you unaware of delays or issues, making it harder to proactively communicate with customers or resolve problems quickly.
Solution: Choose logistics providers that offer reliable tracking systems. Monitor shipments regularly and keep customers informed about their delivery status, especially if there are unexpected delays.
Not all shipping services are created equal. Selecting the wrong option—for example, using regular shipping for urgent deliveries—can result in dissatisfied customers and lost sales.
Solution: Understand the different shipping options available, such as same-day delivery, next-day service, sea freight, ground cargo, LCL (Less than Container Load), and FCL (Full Container Load). Match the service type with your product’s urgency, volume, and handling requirements.
To help SMEs overcome shipping challenges, PT SPIL (Samudera Perdana Indonesia Logistik) offers integrated logistics solutions tailored to businesses of all sizes. With decades of experience in shipping and logistics, PT SPIL provides safe, efficient LCL and FCL shipping options across Indonesia.
Through our digital platform, MySPIL Reloaded, customers gain access to real-time tracking, automated container free-time reminders (Free Time Container Notification), and ESTI—a virtual assistant available via WhatsApp to answer your shipping questions anytime, anywhere.
Backed by our WECARE service culture—Willingness to Assist, Empathy, Care, Agile, Reliable, and Extra Miles—PT SPIL is committed to being your trusted logistics partner.
