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April 23, 2021
This Week In Supply Chain Now: April 18th – 23rd
Listen up! Catch up on all the latest episodes, interviews, conversations, and livestreams from this week right here. On Monday, we released 3 new episodes! On Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott Luton and Ben Harris welcomed Colton Griffin, CEO of Flourish Software, to talk about how the supply chain for cannabis operates and how it could influence the modern supply chain. On This Week in Business History, host Scott W. Luton dives into 10 things that you may not know about the Suez Canal, a modern engineering marvel that has been the subject of global fascination recently. On Supply Chain Now en Espanol, hosts Enrique and Jose Miguel welcome Ignacio Alcalde with TW Logistica to the podcast. On Tuesday, we released 2 new episodes. On this episode of TEKTOK, powered by Supply Chain Now, hosts Karin Bursa and Scott Luton welcome Transplace CEO Frank McGuigan to the podcast to discuss how disruptions drive supply chain innovations and advancements. On TECHquila Sunrise, host Greg White sat down with Peter Stangeland, Chief Commercial Officer of DB Schenker, to talk about the exciting progress his teams have made in clearing the path to sustainability through innovative forms of transportation and his advice for…
April 17, 2025
Navigating Hidden Freight Costs: Taking Control of Unexpected Charges
Blog Post written by Ohad Azgad, CEO of Cinch Logistics leaders must control costs while maintaining service quality, but hidden freight charges often erode profits due to poor visibility. Cinch analyzed over 7,000 line-item charges from 30+ freight forwarders, brokers, and carriers in FMCG and manufacturing, uncovering three major cost drivers: The Frequency-Impact Paradox Frequent charges like fuel surcharges appear in 14.4% of invoices but contribute just 4.2% of hidden costs. In contrast, customs duties—though present in only 5.8% of invoices—account for 52% of hidden costs. Identifying these patterns helps logistics teams focus on impactful cost reductions. Inconsistent Invoice Terminology Charge names like “Fuel Surcharge” vs. “Bunker Adjustment Factor” vary between carriers, reducing cost visibility and negotiation leverage. Standardizing terminology improves tracking, clarity, and vendor negotiations. Hidden Budget Risks: Customs, Duties & On-Carriage Fees Customs duties account for 46% of hidden costs, while on-carriage fees add 26%, despite appearing in only 4.3% of invoices. These charges are often underestimated during quoting, leading to budget overruns. Proactive management prevents unexpected expenses. Strategies to Optimize Freight Costs Real-Time Data Analytics: Platforms like Cinch provide charge visibility during quoting, improving cost forecasting and negotiation leverage. Standardized Terminology: Consistent charge names enhance cost…