In the vast ocean of global trade, small and medium-sized enterprises often struggle to establish their presence in the competitive logistics sector. The case of Ningbo Cheng Yi International Logistics Co., Ltd. (hereafter "Cheng Yi International") offers valuable insights. Registered in Haishu District, Ningbo with modest registered capital of just 1 million yuan, this logistics company has gradually built a multinational network by specializing in specific routes and special cargo transportation.
Credentials and Services: Foundations for Small Enterprises
Founded in 2015 with multimodal transport and forwarding as core businesses under legal representative Zhu Yandan, Cheng Yi International understands the critical importance of proper credentials. The company holds a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) license and customs clearance agency authorization, which form the foundation for its international freight forwarding operations. Its service portfolio spans maritime, air, and land international freight forwarding, complemented by domestic freight services, general warehousing, and logistics consulting. Notably, the company owns two registered trademarks, reflecting its commitment to brand development.
Specialized Routes: The Differentiation Strategy
Facing competition from global logistics giants, Cheng Yi International adopted a differentiation strategy focused on its U.S. dedicated air freight service, promising delivery within 3-5 working days with nationwide collection coverage. This efficiency stems from fixed airline cargo space agreements and streamlined customs clearance procedures. The company further strengthened its position by establishing regular return flights to Europe using Boeing 747 aircraft capable of handling oversized, overweight, and certain categories of hazardous materials.
Through strategic route planning including Ningbo Airport's K4-LAX, MU-FRA, and FM-BUD lines, supplemented by connections from Shanghai, Beijing, and Hangzhou airports to major European and American hubs, the company created a flexible logistics network responsive to market demands.
Overseas Warehouses: Enhancing Last-Mile Delivery
To improve service quality, Cheng Yi International established overseas warehouses in target markets. While specific locations remain undisclosed, these facilities focus on inventory management and last-mile delivery optimization, enabling 1-3 day response times after order placement. This model reduces both delivery time and logistics costs while improving customer satisfaction.
The company's stringent recruitment criteria for overseas warehouse managers—requiring expertise in market expansion, process optimization, and team management—demonstrates its commitment to operational excellence in this area.
Delivery Speed and Collection Network
In international logistics, delivery speed remains a primary client concern. While industry standards typically quote 7-15 days for dedicated routes, Cheng Yi International's direct air freight service to the U.S. achieves 3-5 working days through optimized airline partnerships and customs processes. Actual delivery times may vary during peak seasons like Christmas, when European and American routes might experience 2-3 day delays, though Southeast Asian routes maintain greater stability due to geographic proximity.
The company built a nationwide collection network through six airport hubs:
- Eastern China: Ningbo (headquarters), Shanghai, Hangzhou
- Northern China: Beijing
- Southwestern China: Chongqing, Chengdu
This infrastructure allows nationwide cargo collection with multimodal door-to-door service, leveraging each hub's regional connections—Ningbo for Zhejiang province, Shanghai Pudong for the Yangtze River Delta, and Beijing Capital for northern China.
Challenges and Opportunities
As a small enterprise, Cheng Yi International faces constraints including limited capital for expansion, vulnerability to market fluctuations, and talent shortages. However, booming cross-border e-commerce creates growing demand for international logistics services, while government support policies for SMEs present favorable development conditions.
The company's future competitiveness depends on maintaining its differentiated advantages in specialized routes and oversized cargo transport while continuously improving service quality. For clients seeking stable cross-border logistics solutions, Cheng Yi International's Class A taxpayer status provides additional assurance.
Future Development
Looking ahead, key focus areas include:
- Operational refinement: Process optimization to enhance efficiency and profitability
- Business diversification: Expansion into cross-border e-commerce logistics and supply chain finance
- Talent development: Building a high-quality workforce to support growth
- Technological innovation: Implementing big data and AI solutions to improve logistics efficiency
Cheng Yi International's case demonstrates that small enterprises can establish meaningful presence in global logistics markets through precise positioning and leveraging specialized strengths—an example worthy of study for other SMEs.