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Flexport offers simplified ocean logistics for Shopify merchants

New FreightTech product aimed at small, midsize businesses

Eric Kulisch
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Containers, chassis and cranes at Port Houston. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Flexport, a freight forwarder that says its homegrown technology to automate supply chain processes and enhance customer experience provides an advantage over traditional rivals, on Thursday announced the launch of a tool on Shopify aimed at helping smaller companies navigate international ocean trade.

The app is the first large product launch resulting from the strategic relationship formed a year ago when the e-commerce platform participated in a $935 million funding round for Flexport. The companies say they are working together to build Shopify’s logistics network and provide a common user experience for business with products sourced overseas.

Small and medium-size businesses that use Shopify as their storefront can easily quote, book and track less-than-container load and full container load services through the portal, with Flexport managing all the logistics and customs clearance on the back end. Merchants will also have access to cargo insurance, real-time cost estimates, and high-level reporting and analytics, according to Flexport.

The app is the first of many products Flexport says it intends to specially design for small and midsize businesses as it pivots from focusing on enterprise shippers.


“Shopify and Flexport share a joint vision of breaking down global supply chain barriers for businesses of all sizes. [The new app] enables any merchant to connect their supply chain to Shop Promise, without requiring any supply chain expertise,” said Aaron Brown, CEO of Shopify Logistics.

Currently, Flexport provides technology and freight services to many fast-growing businesses, such as Bombas, Parade and Cotopaxi. In December, Flexport appointed Parisa Sadrzadeh as senior vice president of SMB product and technology to lead a business organization building FreightTech products that can simplify trade for small shippers.

Flexport and Shopify have made large cuts to their respective workforces in recent months as trade and e-commerce sales slowed from pandemic highs.

Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch.


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Eric Kulisch

Eric is the Supply Chain and Air Cargo Editor at FreightWaves. An award-winning business journalist with extensive experience covering the logistics sector, Eric spent nearly two years as the Washington, D.C., correspondent for Automotive News, where he focused on regulatory and policy issues surrounding autonomous vehicles, mobility, fuel economy and safety. He has won two regional Gold Medals and a Silver Medal from the American Society of Business Publication Editors for government and trade coverage, and news analysis. He was voted best for feature writing and commentary in the Trade/Newsletter category by the D.C. Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He won Environmental Journalist of the Year from the Seahorse Freight Association in 2014 and was the group's 2013 Supply Chain Journalist of the Year. In December 2022, Eric was voted runner up for Air Cargo Journalist by the Seahorse Freight Association. As associate editor at American Shipper Magazine for more than a decade, he wrote about trade, freight transportation and supply chains. He has appeared on Marketplace, ABC News and National Public Radio to talk about logistics issues in the news. Eric is based in Vancouver, Washington. He can be reached for comments and tips at ekulisch@freightwaves.com