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Flexport and Shopify further expand to add airfreight to new shipping app
来源：shippingazette 编辑：编辑部 发布：2023/03/01 16:10:27
E-COMMERCE storefront provider Shopify and forwarders Flexport are to add an airfreight service after the two parties launched an app that allows users of the Shopify platform to book ocean shipments from China to the US through Flexport.
Earlier this month, the two parties unveiled the app that allows merchants using Shopify to get instant quotes, book ocean shipments and track them, obtain customs clearance, insurance and financing.
The app is integrated into Shopify's Fulfilment Network (SFN), which allows users to link their product library and get visibility at the SKU level from factory to fulfilment centre, reports London's Loadstar.
To date, online sellers have used storefronts like Shopify for order fulfilment, focusing on final-mile delivery, rather than sourcing product from overseas suppliers. Flexport is the only international forwarding option on Shopify's marketplace.
The service covers shipments from overseas factory to port of entry in the US. While it includes the trucking leg from factory to port of departure, it usually does not extend to domestic US moves, although Flexport can manage the transport to US distribution centres and provide warehousing if required.
According to the forwarder, the international sourcing element is the aspect where the Shopify clientele targeted with the app has the greatest need for assistance.
Parisa Sadrzadeh, Flexport's svp, SMB product & technology, described the new offering as the first step in "a collaborative journey of the two companies". Last year Shopify participated in a US$935 million funding round for the forwarder.
"We have an ambitious roadmap ahead to make the app more feature-rich this year, as well as expand our logistics services," she said.
The immediate priority is to expand the geographical coverage of the app, which currently covers LCL and FCL shipments from China to the US. Flexport has an aggressive plan to roll out the service globally, but has given no details on the likely order of expansion, in terms of countries coming onstream or the anticipated time frame for the roll-out.
In terms of broadening logistics services, the next step is to bring airfreight into the offering, Ms Sadrzadeh said. "We believe SMBs should have the same access to the best logistics infrastructure and technology typically reserved for larger enterprise companies."
Earlier this month, the two parties unveiled the app that allows merchants using Shopify to get instant quotes, book ocean shipments and track them, obtain customs clearance, insurance and financing.
The app is integrated into Shopify's Fulfilment Network (SFN), which allows users to link their product library and get visibility at the SKU level from factory to fulfilment centre, reports London's Loadstar.
To date, online sellers have used storefronts like Shopify for order fulfilment, focusing on final-mile delivery, rather than sourcing product from overseas suppliers. Flexport is the only international forwarding option on Shopify's marketplace.
The service covers shipments from overseas factory to port of entry in the US. While it includes the trucking leg from factory to port of departure, it usually does not extend to domestic US moves, although Flexport can manage the transport to US distribution centres and provide warehousing if required.
According to the forwarder, the international sourcing element is the aspect where the Shopify clientele targeted with the app has the greatest need for assistance.
Parisa Sadrzadeh, Flexport's svp, SMB product & technology, described the new offering as the first step in "a collaborative journey of the two companies". Last year Shopify participated in a US$935 million funding round for the forwarder.
"We have an ambitious roadmap ahead to make the app more feature-rich this year, as well as expand our logistics services," she said.
The immediate priority is to expand the geographical coverage of the app, which currently covers LCL and FCL shipments from China to the US. Flexport has an aggressive plan to roll out the service globally, but has given no details on the likely order of expansion, in terms of countries coming onstream or the anticipated time frame for the roll-out.
In terms of broadening logistics services, the next step is to bring airfreight into the offering, Ms Sadrzadeh said. "We believe SMBs should have the same access to the best logistics infrastructure and technology typically reserved for larger enterprise companies."