It’s a wrap! As season five of Unboxing Logistics concludes, Tim Ranagan and Lori Boyer look back at the issues that mattered most to ecommerce and operations teams this year.

They revisit the standout conversations on peak season, AI, cross-border shipping, and rising costs before sharing what listeners can expect in season six.

Much of season five centered on two ideas that kept surfacing across conversations: cost awareness and the human element.

Lori noted that several experts described teams “not always sure and [not having] visibility into where they might be losing their money.”

At the same time, even the most technical discussions pointed back to people and how real teams work, reinforcing that logistics decisions only succeed when the human side stays front and center.

Almost every guest emphasized how much uncertainty logistics teams are managing right now. And while that can be scary, it’s also exciting.

Lori describes the moment as “a stage that’s primed for opportunity and creativity,” especially for companies looking to close cost gaps or adopt new technology.

Big things are in store for next season! Lori shares that season six will feature a new carrier series designed to help businesses understand “where different carriers might fit well for your particular business model.”

Additionally, listeners can expect even more human-centered conversations and timely discussions tied to industry events.

• Connect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loribboyer/
• Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-ranagan-mba-2717bb125/
• Visit EasyPost’s website: https://www.easypost.com/

Have a great idea for a new product? To turn the vision into a reality, you need to partner with reliable suppliers. But finding suppliers you can count on is easier said than done. If sourcing has been giving you grief, this is the Unboxing Logistics episode for you!

Mattia Miglio from Alibaba.com joins Lori to share tips for finding suppliers, making sure they’re a good fit for your business, and building partnerships that last.

When you’re on the hunt for a new partner, Mattia recommends using a platform like Alibaba.com to find vetted suppliers from across the globe. For the most accurate picture of their performance, make sure to read customer reviews and check how long they’ve been active on the platform.

Once you’re ready to move forward, Mattia says, “Always ask for samples. … If you are a beauty brand, for example, you can ask for [un]customized samples. Then you can go to customized samples, and then you place the first order with minimal quantities. Then if you're happy, you can scale up.”

According to Mattia, the safest course for a small business is to always have at least three suppliers.

If one partner runs into manufacturing or shipping delays, you’ll be able to rely on your others.

He also notes, “Logistics costs are a big component. So if you find another supplier [that] can reduce your logistics costs, that will have an impact.”

Sourcing is a careful balance; while you want to build trusting, long-term partnerships, you also have to be open to change.

“I always recommend [finding] the right partner, not [just] a supplier. … These relationships should go for the long term. But always compare prices. Always have a backup plan.”

• Connect with Mattia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattiamiglio/
• Visit Alibaba.com’s website: https://www.alibaba.com/

Are you taking advantage of the $100 of shipping insurance included for select USPS labels? Most businesses aren’t. They don’t file claims, leaving thousands of dollars on the table.

Fortunately, there’s a way to recoup lost funds without the filing hassle. In this EasyPost Insider episode, Tyler Diestel joins Lori to share everything you need to know about EasyPost’s USPS Claims service.

Tyler explains, “USPS Claims is an amazing product that makes it easy for shippers to get money back … from [USPS]. Because we have a treasure trove of data, we can tell when a package is lost or damaged. … We're able to file claims … to help our shippers recoup [their money].”

Many merchants don’t file insurance claims because they don’t realize that shipping insurance is included in the label price. But for others, it’s simply a matter of time.

“They don't have time to figure out which of their shipments are actually eligible. They don't have time to go in and file a claim for each of those shipments. They don't have time to follow up on the progress of those claims.”

For these busy logistics teams, USPS Claims is a huge time saver.

Getting started with USPS Claims is easy—you can enroll in the program right from the EasyPost dashboard.

While the process is almost entirely automatic, Tyler does note that if you don’t provide product values at label purchase, you’ll need to add that information after the fact. “As we go through our claims process and identify shipments that can be filed, we will send you an email saying, there are 20 shipments that need additional info … please log into the portal [and] fill it out.”

When claims are approved, the funds go back into your EasyPost Wallet for future label purchases.

• Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tdiestel/
• Learn more about USPS Claims by EasyPost: https://www.easypost.com/usps-claims