How Freight Factoring Helps Small Carriers Navigate DHL Shipping Pauses and U.S. Customs Changes
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/07/17
Jennifer Lockett, Freight Factoring Operations Manager at altLINE, brings 18 years of trucking industry experience and 8 in factoring. She launched altLINE’s freight factoring program in 2024 to help carriers nationwide maintain cash flow. In response to DHL pausing B2C shipments over $800, Lockett explains small carriers may face delayed payments, increased administrative burdens, and tighter margins. She emphasizes the value of freight factoring in bridging long payment cycles, reducing back-office strain, and ensuring financial stability. While evolving U.S. customs policies may reshape the freight factoring landscape, Lockett advises carriers to leverage factoring for operational resilience during regulatory and economic disruptions.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: How will DHL’s pause on B2C shipments over $800 affecting small carrier?
Jennifer Lockett: These shipment delays will not only slow down delivery timelines but also impact cash flow for small carriers, as payments may be delayed for 30, 60, or even 90 days.
Jacobsen: What challenges face small businesses when navigating new customs requirements?
Lockett: Back-office personnel at all sorts of freight and logistics companies could also face increased administrative workloads. Additional staffing might even be required to handle these continuously evolving customs processes. Many of these companies don’t have the operating capital to afford to bring on extra help.
Jacobsen: Will this shift in U.S. customs policy influence small carriers’ engagement in international versus domestic shipping?
Lockett: Small carriers specifically operate on such slim margins that they could feel significant ramifications from this pause. They’re used to long payment cycles creating cash flow problems as is, so any sort of delays that this causes will only create more financial stress.
Jacobsen: How could these disruptions affect cash flow stability?
Lockett: Plus, there are already so many responsibilities that come with running a trucking company that they might not have the time to keep track of changes to the customs requirements.
Jacobsen: How will freight factoring clients turn to financial solutions because of increased delays or compliance-related costs?
Lockett: Instead of waiting for extended payment terms, carriers can use freight factoring to ensure they’re funded upon delivery. This really helps them maintain financial stability and positive cash flow. Keep in mind that this industry has notoriously long payment terms–up to 60 or even 90 days–so many carriers wouldn’t be able to operate without the assistance of their factoring company.
Jacobsen: How does increased unpredictability in international shipping affect long-term planning?
Lockett: Factoring companies also reduce the administrative burden for carriers by assuming collection responsibilities for all outstanding invoices. This frees up carriers’ time, allowing them and their team to focus on driving sales rather than invoicing debtors and chasing payments.
Jacobsen: Any advice for freight operators or carriers looking to protect themselves financially?
Lockett: By leveraging factoring, businesses can safeguard their cash flow and streamline operations while navigating these regulatory shifts with confidence.
Jacobsen: Could this development shift the freight factoring landscape?
Lockett: The freight factoring landscape could change as a result of these developments, but it’s too early to predict how that might be.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Jennifer.
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