How to Blind Ship Using UPS WorldShip

If you’re in the business of shipping products to customers, you may have heard of blind shipping. In simple terms, blind shipping involves shipping a product directly to the end customer, but with the sender’s name and address left off the package. The process can be useful for various reasons, including maintaining the confidentiality of the supplier, preventing competitors from learning about your supply chain partners, and reducing shipping times and costs by eliminating the need to transfer packages through multiple intermediaries.

What is Blind Shipping?

Blind shipping is a way to ship products directly to end customers without revealing the original sender’s identity. Instead of listing the supplier’s name and address as the sender on the shipping label, blind shipping uses a third party’s name and address, which could be a logistics provider, a freight forwarder, or a packaging company. The third party is responsible for forwarding the package to the right recipient, while the original supplier remains anonymous to the customer.

Blind shipping is often used by businesses that want to protect their supplier relationships or maintain confidentiality with their customers. For example, a company that sells private label products may use blind shipping to prevent their customers from discovering the original manufacturer. Blind shipping can also be used to prevent competitors from identifying the source of a product or to avoid any negative associations with a particular supplier.

However, blind shipping can also have some drawbacks. It can be more expensive than regular shipping, as the third party involved will charge a fee for their services. Additionally, blind shipping can lead to longer delivery times, as the package may need to be rerouted through multiple locations before reaching the end customer. As such, businesses should carefully consider the pros and cons of blind shipping before deciding whether it is the right option for their needs.

Benefits of Blind Shipping

Blind shipping offers several advantages for businesses that want to streamline their shipping operations and protect their supply chain. Some of the key benefits of blind shipping include:

• Enhanced confidentiality: By using a third-party address as the sender, blind shipping can keep the supplier’s identity hidden from the public, competitors, and even the receiving customer, which can be useful for companies that want to maintain a low profile, protect their trade secrets, or avoid being subject to unsolicited marketing.
• Reduced shipping costs: Blind shipping can bypass intermediaries and reduce the number of stops that the package has to make before reaching the customer, which can decrease shipping times and costs, especially for cross-border shipments that involve customs clearance.
• Improved customer experience: Blind shipping can eliminate the need for the customer to forward the package to another location or person, which can save time and effort and increase customer satisfaction.

Another benefit of blind shipping is that it can help businesses avoid inventory management issues. By using blind shipping, businesses can ship products directly from the manufacturer or supplier to the customer, without having to store the products in their own warehouse. This can help businesses save on storage costs and reduce the risk of overstocking or understocking their inventory. Additionally, blind shipping can help businesses avoid the hassle of managing their own shipping logistics, which can be time-consuming and complex.

When to Use Blind Shipping

Blind shipping can be a useful option in several scenarios, including:

• Distribution agreements: When suppliers want to sell their products through other companies or online marketplaces, they may use blind shipping to avoid revealing their identity to potential competitors or customers.
• Divergent supply chain: When suppliers need to source products from different locations or providers to fulfill an order, they may use blind shipping to consolidate the shipments and avoid revealing the origin of each item or the relationship between the suppliers.
• Confidentiality agreements: When suppliers or customers sign a confidentiality agreement that prohibits them from disclosing sensitive information, they may use blind shipping to avoid breaching the agreement and safeguarding their legal and ethical obligations.

Another scenario where blind shipping can be useful is when a company wants to test a new market or expand its customer base without investing in a physical presence or inventory. By using blind shipping, the company can fulfill orders without revealing its identity or location, and assess the demand and profitability of the new market before committing to a more significant investment.

What is UPS WorldShip?

UPS WorldShip is a shipping software that enables businesses to manage their shipping operations from a single interface. With UPS WorldShip, businesses can create shipping labels, track shipments, manage address books, and automate shipping tasks, among other features. UPS WorldShip connects to UPS’s transportation network and provides real-time shipping rates and delivery options.

One of the key benefits of using UPS WorldShip is that it can help businesses save time and money. By automating shipping tasks and providing real-time shipping rates, businesses can streamline their shipping operations and reduce the risk of errors. Additionally, UPS WorldShip can help businesses improve their customer service by providing accurate tracking information and delivery estimates.

Another advantage of using UPS WorldShip is that it can be customized to meet the specific needs of a business. For example, businesses can create custom shipping labels, set up rules for shipping preferences, and integrate with other software systems. This flexibility allows businesses to tailor their shipping operations to their unique requirements and improve their overall efficiency.

Setting Up UPS WorldShip

To use UPS WorldShip, businesses need to set up an account with UPS and download and install the software from the UPS website. The installation process involves selecting the options that best match the business’s shipping needs, such as the region, package types, shipping methods, and payment methods. Businesses also have to enter their address book data, such as customer addresses, carrier accounts, and preferences.

Once the software is installed and the address book data is entered, businesses can start using UPS WorldShip to manage their shipping operations. The software allows businesses to create shipping labels, track packages, and manage their shipping history. It also provides access to UPS’s shipping rates and services, making it easier for businesses to choose the most cost-effective shipping options for their needs. Additionally, UPS WorldShip offers integration with other business software, such as accounting and inventory management systems, to streamline the shipping process even further.

How to Enable Blind Shipping in UPS WorldShip

To enable blind shipping in UPS WorldShip, businesses need to follow these steps:

1. Go to the “Shipper Editor” tab in the “Tools” menu.
2. Click on the “Address” tab and create a new address entry with the third party’s name and address as the sender information. Save the new address as “Blind Shipping Address.”
3. Go back to the “Shipper Editor” and select the “Advanced” tab. Choose the “Always use blind address” option and select the “Blind Shipping Address” from the drop-down menu.

Creating a Shipment in UPS WorldShip

To create a shipment in UPS WorldShip, businesses need to follow these steps:

1. Enter the shipment information, such as the receiver’s address, the package weight and dimensions, and the shipping method.
2. Select the “Blind Shipping” checkbox under the “Shipment Information” tab.
3. Select the “Blind Shipping Address” as the sender in the “Shipper Information” tab.
4. Verify the shipment details and print the shipping label.

Entering Blind Shipping Information in UPS WorldShip

To enter blind shipping information in UPS WorldShip, businesses need to follow these steps:

1. Under the “Shipper Information” tab, select the “Blind Shipping Address” as the sender.
2. Select the “Blind Shipping” checkbox under the “Shipment Information” tab.
3. Enter the third party’s contact information in the “Attention” field or the “Reference Numbers” field.

Printing Labels for Blind Shipments in UPS WorldShip

To print labels for blind shipments in UPS WorldShip, businesses need to follow these steps:

1. Open the shipment in the “UPS Shipping History” tab or the “UPS Billing” tab.
2. Select the shipment and click on the “Print Label” button.
3. Select the “Output Type” and the “Document Options” and click on “Print” to generate the label.

Tracking Blind Shipments in UPS WorldShip

To track blind shipments in UPS WorldShip, businesses need to follow these steps:

1. Go to the “UPS Shipping History” tab or the “UPS Billing” tab.
2. Select the shipment and click on the “Tracking Number” link.
3. The UPS tracking website will open, and the shipment status will be displayed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Blind Shipping with UPS WorldShip

While UPS WorldShip is a reliable and versatile shipping tool for blind shipping, businesses should be aware of some common mistakes that can lead to errors or delays:

• Not verifying the recipient’s address: Blind shipping requires accurate and complete address information from the recipient, so businesses should double-check the address before sending the package.
• Not informing the third party of the shipment: Blind shipping involves using a third party as the sender, so businesses should make sure that the third party is aware of the shipment details and has the necessary resources to forward the package.
• Not labeling the package properly: Blind shipping requires using the third party’s name and address as the sender, so businesses should ensure that the shipping label is correctly printed and affixed to the package.
• Not following the carrier’s guidelines: UPS has specific rules and regulations for shipping packages, so businesses should review the carrier’s guidelines and follow them accordingly to avoid penalties or adverse consequences.

Best Practices for Successful Blind Shipping with UPS WorldShip

To ensure a smooth and efficient blind shipping process with UPS WorldShip, businesses can follow these best practices:

• Choose a reliable and experienced third party: Blind shipping relies on the third party’s ability to handle the package and forward it to the right recipient, so businesses should select a reputable and trustworthy logistics partner.
• Communicate clearly with the third party: Blind shipping requires clear and timely communication between the supplier, the third party, and the receiver, so businesses should provide detailed shipping instructions and keep all parties informed of any updates or changes.
• Test the process before using it extensively: Blind shipping involves several steps and variables, so businesses should test the process with a sample package and verify that all the addresses, labels, and documents are correct and up to date.
• Monitor the shipment’s progress: Blind shipping can involve more uncertainty and risk than usual shipping, so businesses should track the shipment’s status regularly and be prepared to handle any issues that may arise.

By following these guidelines and leveraging the features of UPS WorldShip, businesses can implement blind shipping effectively and efficiently, enhance their supply chain resilience and confidentiality, and provide a better experience for their customers.