Lara GuevaraSupply Chain expert (Product and Service)

Is Shipping Cadence Only for International Freight? #Freight #SupplyChain #DTCFounders

3 Sept 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:34

In this brief video, Lara Guevara answers a viewer’s follow‑up question about whether the CATES framework (the three‑part shipping cadence approach) is only relevant for international freight. She clarifies that the three components of CATES apply to any type of shipping—domestic freight, parcel, LTL, and international. She urges logistics teams to establish a proactive shipping rhythm instead of reacting to each order, to build relationships with multiple carriers before a second carrier becomes necessary, and to lock in rates while they still have leverage (now, not later). The core insight is that carriers value predictability from shippers; by offering a steady, predictable volume, shippers can trade away that unpredictability for better pricing.

Chapters

Question from yesterday, is CATES only relevant if you're shipping internationally? No, the 3 parts hold regardless. Decide a rhythm rather than shipping reactively. Have more than one carrier relationship before you need the second one. And lock rates while you have leverage, which is now and not October. Domestic freight, parcel, LTL, same logic. The lever is the same one every time. You're trading unpredictability for a better price because the carrier values your predictability more than you do.