From the Logistics Cost Reduction Conference: Review Costs Beyond Freight Charges

What issues did the conference raise?

In information released on September 23, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Trade stated that it had organized a conference to discuss solutions for reducing logistics costs to promote exports. Topics included transport connectivity, procedural coordination, and data. One point raised was that logistics costs also include warehousing, inventory, and delay-related expenses, in addition to transportation charges.

This is information about the conference and proposed solutions. The published article is not a decision to reduce freight rates by a specific amount for the China–Vietnam route.

What perspective can importers apply?

The following are editorial suggestions for import businesses. When comparing two options, use the same pickup point, delivery point, and packaging standard. A quotation ending at a consolidation warehouse and one delivered to the factory cannot be compared solely by the final figure. In particular, heavy shipments or those requiring a forklift need clearly defined receiving conditions at both ends.

Checklist before approval

1. Include the number of packages, weight, and dimensions after packing in the quotation request. Ask which data are estimates, who will remeasure and reweigh the shipment, and how discrepancies will be confirmed. If cartons are changed or protective frames are added, request an immediate update.

2. Compare each item: pickup, transportation, packing, loading and unloading, storage, and final delivery. For any undetermined item, request that the triggering conditions and the person authorized to approve it be stated. Avoid allowing a note such as “other charges based on actuals” to replace the full itemized list.

3. Confirm when time starts being counted and what must be completed before that point. A planned truck schedule does not resolve issues where goods are incomplete or documents are inconsistent. Track the goods-ready date and document-ready date as two separate items.

Track one shipment to identify reducible costs

After receiving the goods, compare the estimate with actual expenses for each task. If repacking occurs, record the reason and take photos so the next order can be corrected directly at the supplier. If waiting for one SKU delays the entire shipment, review the consolidation terms. This approach helps identify exactly what needs to change instead of assuming all additional costs come from freight charges.

Costs can only be finalized for a specific option

A company’s potential savings rate cannot be inferred from the conference information. Options such as splitting shipments, changing routes, or increasing packaging should be assessed for both cost and timing. When discussing a new shipment, bring the goods list and a comparison sheet from the previous shipment to clarify the improvement objectives.