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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…
October 2, 2020
This Week on Supply Chain Now: September 26th – October 2nd
We continued this week on Supply Chain Now with more great interviews, conversations, livestreams, and episodes! Did you miss any episodes? On Saturday, we published an episode of Logistics & Beyond where Jamin interviewed Ryan Schreiber for a great episode on the power of authenticity. Then on Monday, Scott and Greg welcomed self-proclaimed supply chain enthusiast and ambassador, Sofia Rivas Herrera to the podcast. On Tuesday, we published a recent episode of Supply Chain is Boring, with the Supply Chain Doctor Chris Barnes interviewed Ted Stank. We published our Supply Chain Buzz on Wednesday, where Scott & Greg discussed the top supply chain news of the week, as well as great tips and information about breaking into and advancing in supply chain. On Thursday, Scott interviewed Anne Robinson, PhD with Kinaxis for a great conversation on the significance of resiliency versus efficiency in the supply chain, and other corporate leadership topics. And on Friday, we published the first half of Greg’s interview with Sarah Barnes-Humphrey for TECHquila Sunrise. Which was your favorite episode this week? Never miss an episode by subscribing to Supply Chain Now! Make sure you tune in…