Save Packaging Costs & Tariffs

6 snips

Jul 9, 2025

Ying Lu, founder of Blue Lake Packaging and former global operations leader at Apple, shares her innovative approach to packaging. She emphasizes the often-overlooked potential for cost reduction and sustainability. Learn about the three guiding principles her team employs to streamline packaging and navigate tariffs. Ying discusses real-world examples like replacing instruction booklets with QR codes and why a visit to a recycling facility can change your product launch strategy. Explore how small design changes can lead to significant savings and eco-friendly solutions.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ADVICE

Cost-Saving Packaging Strategies

Reduce packaging materials by eliminating unnecessary elements like instruction booklets, or replacing them with QR codes.
Simplify manufacturing processes by using fewer colors in printing and unbleached paper to cut costs and environmental impact.

ADVICE

Reducing Tariffs with Bulk Shipping

Optimize the volume of packaging to increase product quantity per pallet and reduce freight and tariff costs.
Ship products in bulk without packaging and locally repackaging them to benefit from tariff exemptions and lower costs.

ANECDOTE

Build-A-Bear’s Shipping Innovation

Build-A-Bear shipped stuffed animals unstuffed to reduce freight size by 90%, cutting shipping costs dramatically.
This creative approach challenged conventional thinking and led to a competitive business advantage.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

In this episode of the International Trade Resource Podcast, host Kim Kirkendall chats with Ying Lu, founder of Blue Lake Packaging and former global operations leader at Apple. With a rich background in industrial engineering and a passion for sustainable design, Ying brings a practical, design-forward perspective to a topic many companies overlook: packaging. But this isn’t just about logos and pretty boxes—this conversation dives into how packaging can be a powerful lever for reducing costs, improving sustainability, and navigating complex tariff structures.

Ying shares the three guiding principles her team uses to help clients streamline packaging: reducing unnecessary materials, designing packaging as a product itself, and simplifying manufacturing processes. Along the way, she gives real-world examples—from replacing instruction booklets with QR codes to optimizing shipping volumes and reducing tariffs by rethinking where and how packaging is applied. She also underscores how small changes in design can yield big savings, both financially and environmentally.

Kim and Ying go beyond theory to discuss how companies can make meaningful strides in sustainability without compromising brand identity or functionality. They break down what recyclable really means in practice, how to tailor packaging messaging to resonate with customers, and why visiting a recycling facility might just change the way you approach your next product launch. Whether you're a trade professional, supply chain leader, or brand manager, this episode will get you thinking outside the box—literally.

Key Takeaways:

● The three core principles of cost-saving packaging design

● How smart packaging choices can reduce landed costs and tariffs

● What companies get wrong about sustainability—and how to fix it

Tune in to learn how packaging can be more than just a container—it can be a competitive advantage.

Episode Sponsors:

If you liked this episode - Buy Me a Coffee - it’s a great way to help us cover the out of pocket costs. LINK: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kimkirkendall

Acclime China:

https://china.acclime.com/

Corporate Services and full Accounting/CPA/Tax for China.

Website: www.intltraderesources.com

Email: intltradepodcast@gmail.com

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or commercial advice. We provide no guarantee for the accuracy of the information provided. Reproduction or transmission of this podcast is strictly prohibited.