#logistics-operations

🙂

Hey Peter,

Was just going through this conversation and I know Aaron has already perfectly, just wanted to share that we have created a Tariffs custom GPT at Prediko.

So if you have any follow up specific questions, feel free to ask

https://chatgpt.com/share/683f4f8c-5448-8001-8165-0cb4524852fa

We are here to support merchants with impact of tariffs on inventory operations

Does anyone have a contact for a knowledgeable US Customs broker who can help dealing with FDA regulations on importing toothpaste and mouthwash into the US?

Does anyone know who is the best/cheapest for shipping samples from China to the US? FedEx seems extremely expensive for an apparel brand I'm working with.

Any recommendations for trucking companies to pickup from port of Philadelphia - Thanks in advance

🚨 📦 CHINA-U.S. CEASEFIRE!! 🚨 📦

90-day pause on China tariffs.

The U.S. will lower tariffs of 145% on Chinese goods, imposed since Trump took office, to 30%.

Within that framework, U.S. will cut its 125% “reciprocal” tariff on Chinese goods to 10%.

A 20% tariff tied to the fentanyl crisis will remain.

Levies that predate Trump's second term will also continue.

It’s temporary. The rollbacks will last for 90 days while the two sides continue negotiations.

The effective tariff rate on China stood at 11% before Trump took office. They will now be closer to 39%, once some exemptions are factored in.

While they are immediate (will be effective Wednesday), they are also temporary. The rollbacks will last for 90 days while both sides continue negotiations.

No changes to de minimis rules in this announcement (I suspect that won't change).

I suspect freight rates from China to U.S. are about to surge as folks "hit play" on freight they've been holding, and ramp up production to import over the next 90 days.

Very positive news, at least in the short term.

Do these rates look high? The product is a powder in a stand up pouch shipped in bubble mailers (not dimensionally very large).

Hey Everyone, I am the founder of SeatMate and we are currently looking for a 3pl, ideally with multiple warehouses and no exclusive contracts for small parcel and last mile.

Anyone have experience with new product design / development that they’d be willing to share?

I have a local product designer, and I’m going back and forth with my manufacturer in China, but the design revs are taking a LONNGG time, and I don’t feel confident that my system is working very well. Would love to hear about your experiences with new product design, e.g.:
• What type of new product designers did you like? US-based design firms? Designers associated with your manufacturer? Etc.
• How did you handle prototyping - domestic for speed? Actually going to China to work with the manufacturer?
• How much should I expect the designer or manufacturer to be proactive about solutions to problems? Vs relying on me for guidance?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts you all have.

Hey Gang:
We've got a client who wants to ship all his inventory to Amazon so he can use MultiChannel Fulfillment for his Shopify store, in addition to his normal Amazon stuff. Currently, he has invnetory at a 3PL who fulfills Shopify, but also handles his returns. They are in apparel, so they get a lot of return/exchanges - the 3PL validates the return, and either puts it back into inventory, or discards.

The reason he wants to use Amazon MCF is:
• overall, it's cheaper
• minimize having inventory split across multiple locations
I see there is "ReturnGo.Ai" and maybe others that will work for this? Anyone got solid recommendations?

Hey! We are currently setting up a 3PL in the US and I am looking to connect with other Canadian founders who have gone through the process for advice.

Does anyone have any experience with Veeqo? I am currently using pirateship but am hoping to improve my shipping rates.

I typically ship UPS ground saver or USPS ground advantage. Whatever is cheapest!

Hi guys. I am looking for a manufactore within skincare that can help me produce faceoil + face pads. Does anyone know someone that can help here?

Has anyone tried this? Curious if they like it? https://www.gooddaysoftware.com/

Hey everyone, we are looking for a New Mexico 3PL - any recommendations?

Context:
• We’re moving out from our current Mexico 3PL and need to move inventory to a New Mexico 3PL
• We will only ship wholesale orders from the New Mexico 3PL (no DTC orders) so this new 3PL will need to be able to store hundreds and thousands of ctns as is (will not open or unpack them), and then every month or so, we will take a few ctns and ship to the U.S.
Thanks in advance!

Hey, we’re looking for freight forwarder / shipping agent in China to help us ship 150 units of a product from China to end customers (mostly in US, some internationally). We usually ship in bulk to the US but would like to dropship these 150 units to avoid tariffs. We’re most likely looking to ship with DHL or other reliable services, rather than yunexpress etc. The products are in our factory in Guigang City, Guangxi, ready to go.

If you are / know a reliable shipping agents please reach out.

*Fragile product, fairly large

We’re exploring Canadian 3PLs, does anyone have some good recommendations? For reference we work with Quiet Platforms in the US now

Hi all - does anyone know a good freight forwarder? I’m working with a Turkish supplier if it makes a difference. Just had the most awful experience on Freightos.

Info may be a little outdated and not 100% accurate as it's from 2023 and my own research

I'm with Matt, but will be more direct. Avoid ShipBob unless you have no B2B and a low SKU count. Also, ensure you are going into a ShipBob facility and not a partner facility. Here's the list:

Hey <@U084013P8BH> 👋

I'm not familiar with ShipNetwork (there are literally over 10,000 3PLs in the U.S!) but I have had a lot of exposure to Shipbob.

I'd say Shipbob is probably the most disputatious or polemical 3PL out there . They have over 7,500 customers (according to their reports) and are among the larger DTC 3PL's. I'd be lying if I said I don't regularly support brands who struggle with them and are accordingly, looking for their next 3PL.

But in their defense, they do have an ICP (ideal client profile) that if you stay true to that, would make for a really great partner, just like any other 3PL.

It's hard to give a good recommendation or endorsement without understanding what you are looking for in a new provider, and what your operational needs are. The relationship between a 3PL and a brand is kinda like marriage - what matters to you in a partner is inevitably different than what matters to someone else.

Happy to help you think through this, as well, feel free to check out Third Person, a free platform that helps folks like you solve this exact problem - discover and connect with 3PLs who are a great fit for you.

Hey Maria -

NFI is one of the larger 3PLs in the U.S. They have many facilities in the U.S. and Canada and offer a full suite of services - which is great for many, but can also drown smaller brands. They are great for the right ICP (ideal client profile).

If it's you who are exploring 3PLs would be glad to hop on a call and chat through best ways to find a great 3PL for your specific needs.

I'd be happy to chat about this

Hey all. I'm a first-time founder (19 years old) running a ads agency with now 12 employees and 24 clients – closing in on $100,000USD / monthly revenue.

We are struggling on operations and leadership, as expected, and need someone to do a Paid Audit of our Slack, Asana and all operations, to help us assess what we are doing wrong.

Know anyone?

Hey all, we have shipped some products to Germany (all DDP). Do we need to get an IOSS registration? I am guessing we have to collect VAT and pay it to the govt? Any service/app that can help here? Would be really helpful, thanks!