E-commerce has never been stronger, however, there is a detail that few consumers realize when finalizing an online purchase: the path that products take until they reach their hands. The carrier shown in tracking is not always the same as the one that makes the final delivery. In Brazil, where logistics faces challenges of continental distances and complex infrastructure, freight forwarding has become a key piece to keep deliveries agile and accessible.
The practice of freight forwarding occurs when a carrier transfers the cargo to another company specialized in a specific part of the delivery. This system allows products from large centers to reach smaller cities more efficiently and economically. And when it comes to e-commerce, everything that cannot be sent by the Post Office — such as furniture, appliances, bicycles, and even sofas — depends on this process to be delivered.
“Many people don’t know, but if you bought a wardrobe from a company in São Paulo and live in the interior of Mato Grosso, for example, it’s very likely that your merchandise has passed through two or three carriers before reaching your home”, explains Célio Martins, new projects manager at Transvias, Brazil’s largest transportation guide.
Less than truckload (LTL) shipments: the secret behind logistics efficiency
In addition to reshipment, one of the great allies of e-commerce is the transportation of fractional loads. This model allows several companies to share the same space on a truck, optimizing routes and costs. For retailers, it means that selling a single sofa to a customer in Manaus can be viable, without halting operations due to logistics issues.
“Fractional loads are a game-changer for small and medium-sized companies that sell online. If before it was unfeasible to send just one product to another state, today it is possible because carriers can consolidate shipments and optimize routes,” adds Martins.
Transvias: the compass of road transport in Brazil
If for consumers reshipment and fractional loads are invisible, for companies in the sector, this mechanism needs to work precisely. This is where the role of Transvias comes in, a platform that is a reference in connecting carriers and shippers throughout Brazil.
Through the printed and digital guide from Transvias, companies can find reliable logistics partners, reducing costs and ensuring faster deliveries. With over 8,000 registered carriers, the service facilitates everything from freight quoting to choosing the best distribution strategy.
“Companies need to think strategically to reduce costs and improve delivery times. Connecting shippers with carriers specialized in the right route can make all the difference. Reshipment and fractional loads are fundamental solutions to keep e-commerce running in Brazil,” Martins concludes.
With the growth of online shopping and the increasing demand for fast deliveries, understanding the path of products to end consumers has become more than just an operational detail — it has become a competitive advantage for companies that know how to leverage logistics to their advantage.
