text: Welcome to this week’s eCommerce and logistics news roundup!
  Today, let’s take a quick look at where Amazon ranks in terms of 3PL revenue, revelations about Shopify’s recent security flaw and if Google delivery drones may soon be landing in a city near you.
  According to JOC.com, Amazon has debuted atop global 3PL rankings in terms of revenue, surpassing more established logistics giants like DHL, UPS and FedEx. The rankings of 3PL providers were derived from research from Pittsburgh-based consulting firm SJ Consulting.
  Amazon, which was included on the rankings list for the first time this year, leads the way with $42.7 billion in third-party logistics revenue, a fraction of its $232 billion in total revenue from last year. The company’s 2018 logistics revenue represents a sizeable increase of more than 34 percent over 2017 and include revenue from third-party seller fees, fulfillment fees and commissions.
  Easyship’s Take: The new data and rankings from SJ Consulting shows that Amazon continues to muscle into the logistics industry and diversify its operations from eCommerce. The report also potentially spells trouble for traditional 3PL companies like DHL, UPS and FedEx, who’ve tried to compete against Amazon by offering similar fulfillment services that the Seattle-based eCommerce titan does but are still at a disadvantage, as Amazon helps third-party sellers generate sales and exposure.
  On the flipside, online merchants could benefit from increased competition between Amazon and traditional couriers, which will hopefully improve services and make shipping rates more competitive in the years ahead.
  Threatpost has reported that a serious security flaw has been found on Shopify.
  According to researcher Ayoub Fathi, a vulnerability in the Shopify API endpoint has potentially exposed and leaked thousands of merchants’ data relating to revenue and traffic after conducting a bug hunt on the eCommerce platform and discovering the flaw.
  “... I came to the conclusion that this was caused by Shopify Exchange App (actively used by merchants now), which was introduced only a few months before this vulnerability. Any merchant who has Exchange App installed would be vulnerable,” Fathi said.
  Although Shopify has since patched up the security vulnerability, Fathi estimates that approximately 12,100 of Shopify’s 800,000 merchants had their data potentially exposed by the API’s vulnerability.
  Currently, there’s no indication of whether the security vulnerability was exploited before Shopify patched it.
  The security flaw leaked data on the stores going back to 2015. The vulnerability itself was discovered and fixed in October 2018, though it’s only publicly been acknowledged now.
  Easyship’s Take: Although the security flaw has been corrected by Shopify, users of all eCommerce platforms should still take extra precautions and ensure that their data is fully protected as other vulnerabilities on them could potentially exist.
  Shopify merchants, for example, should ensure that their Shopify pay code is well-protected and doesn’t potentially expose their customers’ bank card information and other sensitive data to hackers and scammers.
  The recent reports of the security flaw have reignited debates about Magento vs. Shopify and other eCommerce platforms in terms of which is best suited in terms of security for merchants and customers alike. All online merchants, however, should take immediate steps to protect their own sensitive data and the data of their customers regardless of which platform they’re using.
  Per FreightWaves, Google delivery drones could soon be taking off across the United States.
  The Federal Aviation Administration may soon approve its first license for commercial drone delivery, with the frontrunner for the first approval likely being Wing Aviation LLC, a subsidiary of Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc.
  Wing Aviation LLC is focused on rapid, environmentally-friendly product delivery.
  According to Jay Merkle, the head of the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft System Integration division: “In the next month we expect to announce we will have our first… air carrier certificate for operating a drone airline. That is a major accomplishment for us and our partner.”
  Wing Aviation LLC is reportedly looking to demonstrate its delivery drone operations in the Roanoke-Blacksburg area of Virginia before expanding in coordination with the FAA.
  The development also has recent precedent internationally, with Wing Aviation LLC launching drone delivery services on April 8 in North Canberra, Australia, allowing customers to order food, beverages and medicine and have it delivered via drone within minutes.
  Easyship’s Take: Though still not fully operational in the United States, the use of delivery drones is sure to increase in recent years and is a prime example of how drone technology is changing delivery and logistics. FedEx is in the process of rolling out its same-day delivery robots in Memphis in the middle of 2019 while Amazon has patented technology for autonomous delivery robots.
  As logistics and delivery becomes more automated, online merchants may want to look into how to leverage this new technology by offering their customers delivery drone options in order to help them receive their shipments on their doorstep within minutes, boosting sales and customer satisfaction as customers inevitably grow more accustomed to having their shipments delivered quickly and efficiently.
  Trying to stay up to date on the latest cross-border shipping and import requirements? Get an instant estimate of all applicable taxes and duties for every country across 220+ global destinations or sign up and take advantage of our in-built HS Code lookup tool.
  Calculate Tax & Duties Instantly (Free Tool)Looking for the cheapest way to ship a package? Get an instant shipping quote and compare rates from 550+ courier services across the United States, Canada, UK, Australia, and more. Simply add your package size and delivery location, and you'll find the best deal in seconds.
  Calculate Rates Instantly (Free Tool)Find the guaranteed cheapest rates for any courier in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discount rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ couriers at a glance.
  GET RATE QUOTES FREEFind the guaranteed cheapest rates for any courier in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discount rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ couriers at a glance.
  GET RATE QUOTES FREEReceive a personal cost estimate for your crowdfunding campaign from our trusted global fulfillment partners. Easyship is a certified Indiegogo partner.
  GET FREE QUOTESave up to 74% on UPS shipping rates by shipping with Easyship. You can run a quote and generate your first shipments in literally minutes!
  SHIP WITH UPS TODAYGet instant access with volume-discounted shipping rates. Save up to 89% off on USPS, UPS, FedEx, and more. Easyship is free for 50 shipments each month.
  SIGN UP FREE TO SAVELet Easyship connect you to the largest shipping and fulfillment network on Earth. You’ll find trusted partners for all things logistics. Guidance is free from our global shipping experts.
  ASK AN EXPERTExplore the powerful features that 100K+ merchants use to ship smarter, not harder. Shipping automation, live rates at checkout, live duty and tax – all free to try with Easyship.
  EXPLORE ALL FEATURESWith 550+ pre-negotiated shipping services available with discounts of up to 91%, you can save time & money today when you integrate your Shopify store with Easyship
  REGISTER FOR FREEEasyship is free to use for 50 shipments every month. You’ll save big on our discounted shipping rates up to 91% off, and save time with smart automation. Signup is fast and free.
  CREATE YOUR FREE ACCOUNTFollow the easy path to fulfillment success. Easyship’s free fulfillment checklist provides a proven step-by-step so you can ship at scale without the guesswork.
  VIEW THE CHECKLISTSave up to 89% off all shipping rates. Easyship offers the guaranteed cheapest volume-discounted rates on the market from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ global couriers.
  SIGN UP TO SAVEExplore the innovative features that 100K+ merchants use to ship smarter, not harder. Shipping automation, live rates at checkout, live duty and tax – all free to try with Easyship.
  EXPLORE FEATURESWhat exactly does it cost to ship cross-border? Use the free duty and tax calculator from Easyship to view accurate import costs for any shipment to anywhere.
  USE FREEPrices are rising, deliveries are slowing. Get up to speed on the state of crowdfunding shipping with expert Easyship analysis and keep your campaign on budget.
  LEARN MOREFind the guaranteed cheapest rates for any courier in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discount rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 550+ courier services at a glance.
  GET A FREE QUOTEFind the guaranteed cheapest shipping in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discounted rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ global couriers at a glance.
  COMPARE RATES FREESave up to 91% off shipping with Easyship’s discount courier rates. Create your free account to save instantly on 550+ courier services, including USPS.
  CREATE YOUR FREE ACCOUNTFind the guaranteed cheapest rates for any courier in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discount rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ couriers at a glance.
  GET RATE QUOTES FREEUse Easyship’s free shipping policy generator to formulate your perfect holiday shipping policy for returns, tracking, and more. Just follow the prompts and you’re done!
  GET YOUR SHIPPING POLICYLearn how to ship internationally without missing a step. Our case studies show you proven tactics for shipping worldwide from Easyship users who did it right.
  READ CASE STUDIES