While the price of lumber has receded from shocking highs in May 2021, costs are still 80% higher than they were before the pandemic, according to NPR. That increase in costs is felt at nearly every link in the supply chain, which makes understanding all of your shipping options more important than ever. Shipping wood or lumber has always come with complications. Here’s what you need to know to make operations as easy as possible while avoiding exorbitant costs.
Cost Factors in Shipping Wood
Generally speaking, three factors have the greatest effect on lumber shipping costs: type of wood, shipment dimensions, and shipment destination.
Type of Wood: Dozens of types of wood are regularly shipped domestically and internationally. Common woods such as maple, poplar, alder, white oak, and ash will cost less to ship than more exotic woods like cherry, walnut, or mahogany.
Shipment Dimensions: Obviously the larger the shipment, the more it will cost to deliver. But dimensions, including height, length, and width can increase costs if they require special handling. If possible, avoid multiple shipments in order to secure the best rates.
Shipment Destination: Shipping longer distances cost more, but the shipment’s final destination also affects the cost. If the destination is in a remote location or is otherwise difficult to deliver to, your shipment could cost more than more accessible locations.
Type of Transport for Shipping Lumber
The most efficient shipping services, including Navis Pack & Ship, offer a variety of shipping options for wood and lumber.
Air Freight: If delivery speed is your priority, air freight is your best option for shipping wood or lumber. Air freight is most often used for expedited, large shipments, and its primary drawback is higher costs due to convenience.
Truckload: This is the most common mode of domestic transport for lumber. For large shipments, you can use full truckload (FTL) services. For smaller shipments, less than truckload (LTL) offers you an option to pool resources with other shippers, saving money for everyone involved.
Ocean Freight: Similar to shipping by truck, you can use full container services for large shipments or save on smaller shipments with less than container load services. If shipping wood internationally via ocean freight, you will want to stay up to date on international regulations and guidelines for delivery.
Domestic vs. International Shipping for Wood
Shipping wood internationally requires that you adhere to the laws of the destination country. This information can be difficult to find, which is why finding an experienced and reliable shipping partner is essential. Navis Pack & Ship has more than 30 years of experience shipping all kinds of packages internationally, including lumber shipments. Our team has developed the networks that make international and domestic shipping convenient and affordable for corporations and small businesses alike. For more information on shipping wood or lumber in the United States or across the globe, contact the Navis Pack & Ship location in your area.
