Expanding a business beyond Indonesia is exciting—but let’s be honest, cross-border shipping can be a headache. Customs clearance, high shipping costs, long delivery times, complicated returns… the list goes on.
At the Aspire Finnovation Summit on 21 Nov 2024, Ninja Xpress joined a discussion on how logistics can make or break customer experience and what businesses can do to streamline their shipping processes.
The event gathered over 1,000 entrepreneurs, business owners, and industry experts to talk about practical strategies for business growth.
Representing Ninja Xpress, Andry Mulyono, Vice President of Business Development, shared his insights on how SMEs can overcome logistics challenges and create a smoother cross-border experience for customers.
Why is Cross-Border Shipping So Challenging?
For many SMEs, the idea of shipping internationally sounds great in theory—but in reality, it comes with some serious obstacles. Here are a few common ones:
- Customs regulations – Every country has different rules, and getting it wrong can mean delays or extra costs.
- Duties and taxes – Managing import fees can be confusing, especially for businesses shipping to multiple countries.
- High shipping costs – Finding affordable international shipping that doesn’t compromise service quality is tough.
- Delivery delays – Customers expect fast delivery, and long wait times can impact their experience.
- Lack of tracking transparency – Not knowing where a package is can be stressful for both businesses and customers.
- Complicated return processes – Handling cross-border returns is often expensive and time-consuming.
If these challenges sound familiar, don’t worry—you’re not alone. The good news? There are ways to make international shipping easier.
What SMEs Can Do to Improve Their Cross-Border Shipping
During the panel, Andry shared some simple yet effective strategies to help SMEs overcome these challenges and grow their business across borders.
1. Work with a logistics partner that understands regulations
One of the biggest pain points for businesses is dealing with customs clearance and import/export rules. Instead of figuring it all out alone, SMEs should work with a logistics partner that knows the process inside out. At Ninja Xpress, we help businesses navigate customs paperwork and regulations so they don’t have to stress about unexpected delays or fees.
2. Save costs by using an end-to-end logistics solution
A common mistake businesses make is trying to set up their own warehouses and shipping operations overseas. While this may seem like a good idea, it actually comes with high costs, including warehouse rental, bulky shipping fees, staffing, and last-mile delivery expenses. Instead, businesses can cut costs by using an end-to-end logistics provider that handles everything—from pickup in Indonesia to final delivery abroad.
3. Use technology to improve customer experience
Customers today expect real-time tracking and reliable delivery updates. Without it, businesses risk losing trust. Andry emphasized that SMEs should choose logistics partners that offer transparent shipment tracking and dedicated customer support—because a well-informed customer is a happy customer.
Helping SMEs Expand Beyond Borders
The Aspire Finnovation Summit 2024 was a great reminder that logistics is more than just moving packages—it’s about creating a seamless experience for businesses and customers alike.If your business is looking to expand across borders without the shipping headaches, let’s talk. Ninja Xpress is here to help.
For partnerships or inquiries, contact reg-xb-enquiry@ninjavan.co.
