In this guide, we’ll explore warehousing logistics, including its types, role, and how strategic storage solutions boost efficiency in global shipping.
What is warehousing in logistics?
Generally, warehousing in logistics covers the storage, handling, and movement of goods throughout the supply chain. It positions products where teams can pick, pack, and ship them without delay, whether in bonded warehouses near ports or regional hubs close to customers.
Airsupply adds value by operating prime warehouses in Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. Located near major ports, these facilities simplify cargo consolidation, making transport smoother and cutting shipping costs for shipments from China.
Key functions of warehousing in logistics
- Storage: Keeps goods secure and organized for timely dispatch. For instance, electronics from several Shenzhen factories can wait in a bonded warehouse until the total orders are ready for export.
- Order fulfillment: Picks, packs, and ships on schedule to meet demand. A US auto parts retailer sourcing from China stores’ inventory in ASLG’s USA warehouse, shipping orders only as they come in to avoid processing delay.
- Consolidation & break-bulk: Combines shipments from several suppliers to reduce freight costs or splits bulk cargo into smaller loads for faster delivery. Airsupply often consolidate goods from different Chinese suppliers into one container bound for Los Angeles, then distributes them locally.
- Cross-docking: Deliver products directly from inbound to outbound transport to cut handling time. For instance, fresh produce arriving by air in Hong Kong can be transferred immediately to refrigerated trucks and reach supermarkets the same day.
A well-managed warehouse safeguards stock, improves inventory accuracy, and accelerates order fulfillment. It also strengthens the link between production and distribution, reducing transit times, lowering costs, and maintaining reliable service levels.
Types of warehouses in logistics
1. Public warehouses
Open to multiple businesses, these facilities offer flexible short-term storage and basic handling services.
2. Private warehouses
Owned or leased by a single company, giving control over layout, inventory systems, and staff. Common among manufacturers, large retailers, and e-commerce brands with steady inventory flows.
3. Bonded warehouses
Secure storage supervised by customs, where imported goods stay until duties are paid. Vital for cross-border trade, such as holding bulk shipments from China before customs clearance.
4. Distribution centers
High-speed hubs focused on order fulfillment, picking, packing, and shipping within tight timeframes. For example, many buyers ship cargo from China to Amazon FBA warehouses to fulfill their e-commerce orders efficiently.
How to choose the right warehouse location
Choosing warehouse locations near major transport hubs like ports or airports speeds up goods movement and lowers transit costs. For example, Airsupply’s facilities in Shenzhen and Shanghai, near busy seaports, benefit from faster shipment consolidation and smoother customs clearance.
Alternatively, placing warehouses close to target markets cuts last-mile delivery times, improving customer satisfaction and reducing distribution expenses.
Balancing transport access, market reach, and operational efficiency helps companies optimize warehousing in logistics management, enabling smoother, more cost-effective distribution.
ASLG’s global network for international warehousing
ASLG’s warehousing cover strategic sites across China, including a 3,600-square-meter domestic warehouse designed for streamlined storage and handling.
For international reach, ASLG operates overseas warehouses in the USA, partnering with brands like BOTTLED JOY. Full shipments move directly to the U.S. warehouse, where temperature-controlled environments and expert distribution ensure product quality and timely final delivery.
This integrated approach helps businesses stay agile and competitive in cross-border trade, meeting the complex demands of international warehousing in logistics management.
