Introduction

Drayage is a term that is often unfamiliar to ecommerce sellers, but it is an important part of the logistics process. Drayage refers to the transportation of goods from one point to another, usually by truck. It can be an important part of shipping products to customers, and it is something that ecommerce sellers need to plan for when they are setting up their logistics process. In this blog post, we will discuss drayage and how it affects ecommerce sellers. We will also explain why it is important for sellers to consider when planning their logistics strategy.

What is Drayage

Drayage has many meaning but in logistics it often refers to the transport of good from an ocean port to a warehouse or other facility. It's an important part of the shipping process as this is often the link between the ocean port and the inland transportation network. We have all heard of last-mile, but you can think of drayage as the first-mile of a products journey to the customer.

Who Provides Drayage

Drayage is often provided by freight carriers. These carriers often have standing relationships with warehouses or ports and can offer lower rates due to their volume. There are also drayage brokers that help connect shippers with carriers, but the rates may be higher as there is more markup.

Who Does Drayage Impact

Drayage is an important part of the logistics process and with it comes additional costs. Because of this, drayage often impacts the bottom line for ecommerce sellers. In order to accurately plan for these costs, sellers need to understand how drayage works and what factors can drive up the price. Ecommerce sellers are not the only ones impacted by drayage. Importers, wholesales, and even retailers can be impacted by the cost of drayage.

Why is Drayage Important

After the long journey across the ocean, goods have to be stored and delivered somewhere. This is where drayage comes in it is the connecting step between ocean transport and warehousing and takes a container from sea transport to land transport. It's important to ecommerce sellers because it's the first step in getting their products to the customer and can often delay the availability of stock.

How Does Drayage Impact Supply Chain Availability

Ecommerce sellers need to be aware of drayage because it can impact the availability of their products. When planning their logistics strategy, sellers should take into account how long it will take for their products to arrive at the warehouse and how long it will take for the products to be delivered to the customer. Delays in any part of this process can impact the availability of products and cause stock shortages.

Drayage can also impact the supplier relationship. Ecommerce sellers may need to order their products from suppliers well in advance in order to ensure that there is enough time for drayage and delivery. This can put a strain on the supplier-seller relationship and may even lead to missed deadlines or late shipments.

Conclusion

Drayage is an important part of the logistics process and it can have a significant impact on ecommerce sellers. Sellers need to be aware of how drayage works and what factors can drive up the cost. They also need to plan for delays in the shipping process so that they can ensure that their products are available to their customers.