There’s no single best shipping method for all businesses. It all comes down to making the right trade-offs and choosing a path that supports your supply chain, customers, and business goals.
Your shipping decisions affect everything from cost and delivery speed to customer satisfaction and supply chain reliability.
But with so many freight transport options available, how do you choose the best shipping method for your business?
The answer isn’t always obvious.
The right choice depends on what you’re moving, where it needs to go, and how quickly it needs to arrive.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the key factors to help you make an informed, strategic decision that works for your operations and your bottom line.
Before choosing the best shipping method, it’s important to understand that no two shipping scenarios are the same and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
The right method for delivering goods across the country won’t be the same as the best approach for importing from overseas.
That’s why making the right call requires more than just comparing price tags. It means looking at the big picture and weighing several key factors.
Rather than opting for the fastest or cheapest option, you need to start by asking yourself the following questions: What are you shipping? Where is it going? How quickly does it need to arrive? And, what’s your budget?
Let’s walk through the key factors that will help you evaluate your options and identify the best shipping method for you.
What are you shipping—and how sensitive is it?
Are your goods fragile, temperature-sensitive, or high in value? If so, you may want to avoid long transit times or high-handling environments. On the other hand, if you’re shipping large volumes of durable goods, cost efficiency may matter more than speed.
Where is it going?
You’ll also need to consider the delivery destination. Are you shipping within the country, across the border, or internationally? Are your customers located in major cities with good infrastructure, or in remote areas that can only be reached by road?
How fast do you need it delivered?
If you’re working with just-in-time inventory or tight delivery schedules, your options may be more limited. Air freight or expedited truck service may be necessary, even if they come at a premium.
What are you willing—or able—to spend?
Some businesses are willing to pay more for speed or reliability, while others need to keep logistics costs low to remain competitive. It’s important to consider not only the transportation cost itself, but also the total landed cost, which includes customs clearance, storage, handling, and insurance.
Does your business track emissions or ESG performance?
If sustainability matters to your business or clients, choosing an eco-friendly method may be a factor in your decision. Rail and ocean transport are more environmentally friendly options than air or ground transport.
In many cases, the best shipping method is actually a combination of methods.
Known as multimodal shipping, this approach allows you to combine the strengths of different modes for greater flexibility and control.
For example, you might ship containers by ocean freight, then transfer them to rail for long-distance movement, followed by trucks for final delivery.
This type of multimodal approach helps you balance speed and cost. It also adds flexibility in case of route disruptions or changes in demand.
A freight forwarder can help coordinate the transition between modes and handle the complex logistics behind the scenes.
At Cole International, we provide freight forwarding solutions to help businesses like yours navigate the entire shipping journey.
Whether you’re shipping within the country or across continents, we can:
Our goal is to help you ship your goods smarter and faster.
If you need help choosing a shipping method, please reach out to one of our trade professionals.
