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This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
During periods of strain on global supply chains, any logistic error can cost businesses not only money, but also reputation. This is especially true for shipments from China — of the country, which is the main source of goods for Ukrainian retailers, distributors, marketplaces and private importers.How to ensure that delivery of cargo from China in conditions of martial law, seasonal peaks and rising logistics costs does not become a problem?
Why has instability become the new norm?
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, logistics routes to Ukraine have undergone significant changes. Most traditional routes through the Russian Federation or Belarus have become inaccessible, and the load on alternative corridors (for example, through Poland, Romania or the Balkans) has increased significantly. All of these are:
- increases travel time;
- complicates customs clearance;
- increases the probability of force majeure.
In peak seasons — before holidays, Black Friday or Chinese New Year —, even a slight delay takes companies off schedule. Preventive planning has therefore become critical.
Main risks during peak shipments
1. Overloading warehouses.
Warehouses in China, Poland or transit countries do not cope with volumes, parcels are consolidated more slowly or sent with delays.
2. Lack of free space in transport.
On sea and flights, large cargoes booked in advance by regular customers are processed as a matter of priority. Small shipments often wait longer.
3. Errors in documents due to haste.
During the workload, personnel may incorrectly issue documents or markings. This leads to a delay at customs or re-sorting.
4. Change in tariffs and delivery conditions.
During seasonal periods, some companies adjust fares or reduce available transportation options (for example, temporarily suspend the economy segment).
How to avoid failures: practical steps
In order to prevent supply disruption during the peak period, it is worth acting ahead. First of all, — plan your order at least 2-3 weeks before the expected load. This allows you to go through the entire logistics cycle without force majeure: from procurement on the site to packaging, consolidation, customs clearance and delivery to Ukraine.
It is equally important to work with those operators who have a fixed schedule of shipments. For example, Meest China forms batches several times a week, and this makes it possible to more accurately forecast arrival dates, quickly launch deliveries and not depend on unstable flights.
Particular attention should be paid to documentation and labeling. Before sending, it is necessary to check whether all fields are filled in correctly, whether a unique ID is specified, and whether the data from the personal account matches those printed on the box. Even a small error in the address or duplication of tracking codes can cause a delay in the warehouse or erroneous routing.
And finally — do not forget to consider national holidays in the sender's country. The Chinese New Year, which falls on January-February, is especially critical. During this period, a large part of factories, sellers and logistics companies stops work for 10-14 days, which leads to delays even with orders placed in advance.
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