The impact of COVID-19 on small business shipping

Coronavirus and Small Business Shipping

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted everyone in the past few weeks. Of the affected groups, small businesses have been hit particularly hard. The impact of the virus has gone well beyond restaurants and public spaces. As an extension of the fallout from COVID-19, the shipping industry has been impacted in ways both large and small. Forecasting customer demand in this environment has proven to be very challenging.

As a freight service provider, we continue to closely monitor the impact of COVID-19 as it relates to small business shipping and our customers.

As a part of C.H. Robinson, our Freightquote customers have access to one of the world’s largest freight service providers, and we’re here for you. Our online, self-service tool is available to help you continue running your business, even during these difficult times.

Serving our Small Business Customers

As a small business, you can rely on us to remain fully operational, 24/7, without any service interruption during this crisis. This means that we will continue to service all of your global and domestic shipping needs while also making sure we meet all government and health regulations.

Here are a few tips to consider when booking shipments during this crisis:

Use online booking and stay home

If you’re working remotely, remember that you can easily book your shipments online without leaving your home. This also means you can track your deliveries online, too. Our goal is to continue getting your shipments out while making sure you stay safe and healthy.

You can use our self-service tool to:

• Compare multiple carrier quotes without signup

• Book the carrier and rate that best fits your needs

• Create, print, and send detailed bill of ladings (BOLs)

• View invoice and pay online

• Determine freight class automatically

Take advantage of flexible shipping solutions

We bring flexible shipping solutions to small businesses, even during these uncertain times. We provide access to a wide network of high quality carriers to offer LTL freight shipping, truckload freight shipping, and we can also take care of your refrigerated goods and temperature-sensitive items.

Prevent possible delays

We understand you may have concerns about potential transit delays through traditional LTL hub and spoke networks. To prevent possible delays, consider sourcing a dedicated truckload. Our online tool makes it easy for you to see if this is a good option for you. Using the tool, we can help you quickly break down costs and transit times to prevent further delays.

Rely on us for production planning and forecasting

We understand these are uncertain times. You can rely on us to give you the advice and guidance you need to determine the best plan of action for your shipping needs. Our experts are standing to assist you with production planning and forecasting.

Stay connected

Remember that you’re not alone. Freightquote by C.H. Robinson is committed to keep your freight moving whether it's classified as essential or non-essential. Along with client advisories, stay connected with us on LinkedIn for updates.

Get Free Quotes

 

Image Credit: https://www.shutterstock.com/g/digiart