Differences and Challenges of Joint Shipment vs Split Shipment

Are you still confused about what joint shipment and split shipment are, leading to potential miscommunication and operational inefficiencies? Tracking becomes more complicated when shipments are combined or split. Whether it is because of split shipments, it will lead to increased shipping costs and delays, especially when multiple carriers are involved. This uncertainty affects inventory management and customer satisfaction. Businesses often have difficulty obtaining real-time information about their shipments, which can disrupt supply chain management. This blog post aims to clarify what joint shipment tracking means, address common pain points, and provide solutions to enhance your shipping experience.

What is joint shipment?

Joint shipment refers to the practice of combining multiple packages or items into one package for delivery. This approach not only reduces packaging waste and saves shipping costs, but also simplifies the logistics process by minimizing the number of shipments that need to be tracked. Joint shipment is particularly useful when shipping goods from different suppliers to a single destination.

What is split shipment?

Split shipment refers to the splitting of a single order into multiple packages for separate shipment. This may be for a variety of reasons, such as size restrictions, weight restrictions, or item availability. Split shipments complicate logistics and make tracking and inventory management more difficult.

Why use split shipments?

Weight and size restrictions

Carriers often have strict weight and size restrictions, so larger shipments need to be split.

Inventory availability

If certain items are out of stock, businesses may choose to ship available items separately to avoid delays.

Cost considerations

Sometimes, splitting shipments can reduce overall shipping costs, especially if different carriers offer better rates for smaller packages.

Challenges of Joint Shipment Tracking

In joint shipments, the goods come from different orders or customers, and how to ensure that each shipment can be accurately tracked is a key issue. Common challenges include:

Cargo mix-up: Goods from different orders may be mixed up, resulting in wrong delivery.

Tracking complexity: After multiple orders are combined, it becomes more complicated to track the status of each shipment.

Risk of delay: If there is a problem with one of the orders, it may affect the progress of the entire joint shipment.

Why use Split Shipment?

Although split shipments increase the number of shipments, they are necessary in some cases. For example, when customers need part of the goods urgently, split shipments can ensure that they receive the items they need in a timely manner. In addition, split shipments can reduce warehouse pressure and inventory management complexity.

Common reasons for split shipments:

Inventory is distributed across different locations

If a product is out of stock at one location but available at another, a business may choose to ship from two different locations to avoid out-of-stock notifications.

One box cannot accommodate all items

For larger orders that cannot fit into one box, a business may choose to ship in multiple boxes to speed up shipping.

Customers request to ship to multiple addresses

Customers may want the items in their order to be sent to different addresses, which requires split shipments.

How to avoid split shipments?

To minimize the possibility of split shipments, consider the following strategies:

Plan ahead

Manage inventory well and maintain clear communication with suppliers about inventory levels to predict potential problems. Make sure all items are in stock before placing an order. This reduces the need for split shipments due to inventory shortages.

Consolidate orders

Combine multiple orders into one shipment whenever possible. This not only saves on shipping costs, but also simplifies tracking.

Use combined shipments

Take advantage of combined shipments to handle orders from multiple suppliers. By consolidating these orders, you can reduce processing time and simplify shipping.

Choose a reliable partner

Work with a logistics provider that offers comprehensive intermodal services and has a strong tracking system.

To avoid split shipments, companies can choose to ship all together or combined shipments. These methods ensure that all goods arrive at the same time, reducing management complexity and transportation costs.

Compared to split shipments, Ship All Together has the following advantages:

Reduce costs: By combining shipments, you can reduce transportation fees and logistics costs.

Increase efficiency: Reduce the time goods are in transit and improve customer satisfaction.

Simplify tracking: Combined shipments make tracking goods simpler and more direct.

Joint shipment tracking

Joint shipment can effectively reduce transportation costs and improve logistics efficiency. Intermodal is a form of combined transportation that combines items from different orders or suppliers into one shipment. This practice can significantly save costs and improve efficiency. Of course, effective tracking is essential for successful joint shipments. Many logistics providers, including ChinaDivision, offer advanced tracking systems that allow you to monitor the status of your shipments in real time. This transparency ensures that you can effectively manage inventory and quickly respond to any problems that arise.

Simplify the monitoring process with software that integrates tracking information from different carriers into a single dashboard, such as ChinaDivision. Make sure your tracking system provides real-time updates on shipment status and location.

Contact Chinadivision for Expert Help

Dealing with the complexities of combined shipment tracking can be daunting. Chinadivision specializes in providing tailored logistics solutions for B2B companies. Our team can help you optimize your shipping processes, ensuring your packages are tracked effectively and delivered on time.

Understanding combined shipping and its impact on international logistics is essential for B2B companies looking to improve their shipping strategies. By addressing common pain points associated with combined shipment tracking and split shipments, businesses can make informed decisions that lead to greater efficiency and customer satisfaction.

For further assistance or questions regarding your shipping needs, feel free to contact Chinadivision. Our team is dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of combined shipments, ensuring your shipments reach their destinations smoothly and on time.