When first entering cross-border e-commerce, the maze of logistics options—Headhaul, Direct Injection, Overseas Warehouse, Last Mile—can be overwhelming.
The truth is, finding the right partner only requires classifying service providers into four core functions based on your immediate business need. Here is a simple breakdown to guide your selection.
1. Headhaul Logistics: Delivering Bulk Inventory to the U.S.
Headhaul services manage the critical first step: moving your goods from China to a destination in the U.S., most often an Amazon FBA warehouse.
Core Function: FCL/LCL Ocean Freight or Air Freight primarily targeting FBA fulfillment.
Industry Dynamics: Highly competitive, focusing on price, stability, and transit time.
Best For: Amazon FBA sellers, large/bulky items, and general merchandise requiring reliable volume shipping lines.
2. Direct Injection (Air Express): Fast, End-to-End Parcel Delivery
These providers offer a fully integrated solution, handling everything from domestic pickup in China to final delivery to the U.S. customer.
Key Characteristics: Led by industry giants (e.g., YunExpress, 4PX). They use specialized customs hubs and chartered flights for speed, specializing in lightweight, small-parcel delivery.
Best For: Apparel, small accessories, lightweight components, and any product where high shipping speed is a competitive advantage.
3. Overseas Warehousing: Inventory Pre-Positioning and Local Dispatch
Overseas Warehouses allow you to hold inventory in the U.S., enabling fast, local fulfillment immediately upon order.
Small-to-Medium Parcel Specialists: These firms (e.g., Gucang) specialize in high-volume fulfillment, managing vast SKUs.
Mid-to-Large Item Experts: Providers (e.g., LELOGISTICS) manage extensive warehouse footprints and are geared towards handling large, durable goods.
Best For: Sellers needing local shipping speed for furniture, appliances, sports gear, or any category requiring large storage capacity.
4. Last-Mile Delivery: The Final Step to the Buyer
This service is the local courier network responsible for getting the parcel from the warehouse/sorting center to the buyer's doorstep.
Private/Crowd-Sourced Networks: Players like GOFO and UniUni use flexible, lower-cost models to cover high-density urban areas efficiently.
National Players: This includes USPS (unmatched coverage) and Amazon Logistics (dedicated to the Amazon ecosystem).
Best For: Overseas warehouse fulfillment and platform "Economy" options where stable, cost-efficient local delivery is paramount.
Conclusion: Focus on Function, Not Jargon
Simplify your choice by defining your needs: Headhaul, Direct Injection, Overseas Warehousing, or Last-Mile. Aligning your business stage with these four functions is key to confident, scalable logistics decisions.
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