Different platforms have different requirements for the packaging and delivery of goods. If the seller uses a self-built overseas warehouse or a third-party public overseas warehouse, the main principle of packaging goods in the overseas warehouse is to keep the goods safe and effectively control costs. When the seller uses an overseas warehouse built by the platform, the transportation packaging of the product must fully comply with the requirements of the platform’s logistics operations.
Taking the Cainiao overseas warehouse of the AliExpress platform as an example, the platform requires sellers who prepare goods for overseas warehouses to prepare their own logistics packaging for each piece of goods in advance; transparent packaging, packaging with color pictures or unpackaged products are prohibited; the packaging of goods needs to be sealed, and the goods in the packaging must be protected according to the type of goods. Fragile items, such as lamps, glass products, electronic screens, etc., need to be protected with appropriate filling materials.
When affixing product labels, it is necessary to check the integrity and clarity of the information, and try to stick the label in the upper left corner of the smallest side. When packing goods, try to ensure that there is one SKU per box. In principle, only mixed boxes and mixed SKUs are allowed, and a maximum of 5 SKUs are allowed in one box. The weight of each box shall not exceed 30 kg. When affixing the box label, use A4 paper, and a warning mark (such as a fragile mark) is required. The box label is preferably affixed to the upper left corner of the side of the box. When sealing the box, the box label information must not be covered with tape.
For product returns, Cainiao Overseas Warehouse also has its own regulations. For goods that cannot be delivered, Cainiao’s local distributor will return them to the warehouse free of charge. After the logistics company completes the offline registration, the seller will decide whether to destroy or re-list the goods. If there is no reply within 3 working days, it will be automatically listed by default.
For goods returned by buyers, sellers need to set them as free overseas warehouses in the overseas return warehouse service template of the AliExpress platform. The return address is notified to the buyer by the seller, and the consignee fills in a specific consignee code so that the overseas warehouse can identify and handle different types of returns received through the consignee. After the buyer initiates a return, the seller needs to inform the warehouse of the return information, including but not limited to: the outbound order number when the overseas warehouse ships, the express order number sent by the buyer, the product information, and the handling opinions.
After the buyer’s return package arrives at the overseas warehouse, the logistics company will register offline, locate the corresponding package according to the buyer’s return order number and the overseas warehouse delivery order number provided by the merchant, and negotiate with the seller on the subsequent operations (discard or put on the shelf for secondary sale). If the seller cannot provide or provides the wrong buyer’s return express order number, and the buyer’s return package does not have the original delivery order, the overseas warehouse will not be able to locate the package, resulting in no owner.
In addition, overseas warehouses generally send goods to overseas warehouses in the form of large cargo by sea or air. If the logistics service provider selected at this time is not professional, or involves some prohibited items that cause the goods to be detained, this problem is more serious. Therefore, cross-border sellers need to choose a logistics service provider with strong business capabilities to provide transportation services for their products.