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Unlocking Alaska: How Smart Businesses Gain an Edge by Shipping Where Others Don’t

Alaska is home to over 730,000 residents, and most e-commerce businesses don’t ship to them. 

Whether it’s due to high costs, limited coverage, or outdated assumptions, many retailers still treat shipping to Alaska as a niche exception. But those that do ship reliably and affordably to the state are seeing something the others aren’t: a loyal customer base with limited local options and growing online demand. 

At International Bridge, we’ve been helping businesses deliver to Alaska since 2004. And today, we serve some of the biggest names in e-commerce, MLM companies, and fast-growing small businesses who understand that reaching Alaska is not a hassle—it’s an opportunity. 

A population worth reaching 

Alaska’s population—though often overlooked—is nearly the size of San Francisco, and larger than several U.S. states. These residents face limited access to local retail, especially in remote communities. As a result, online shopping is not just convenient—it’s essential. 

And the numbers back it up: despite lower overall online shopping participation, Alaskans generate over $2.16 billion in annual e-commerce revenue (Capital One Shopping, 2024). 

If your business isn’t shipping to Alaska, you’re leaving thousands of potential customers—and their repeat orders—on the table. 

The business challenge: complexity, cost, and inconsistency 

Shipping to Alaska from the mainland often means: 

  • Carrier surcharges that erode margins 
  • Long and unpredictable transit times 
  • Weather-related disruptions 
  • Gaps in final-mile delivery coverage 
  • Limited visibility once packages leave the mainland 

That’s why many affordable shipping businesses choose to skip Alaska entirely. But that decision carries a cost: customer dissatisfaction, limited growth, and a missed competitive advantage. 

The IB solution: e-commerce shipping built for real-world challenges 

At International Bridge, we provide e-commerce shipping solutions tailored to Alaska’s unique logistics landscape. We work with a broad spectrum of shippers—from major platforms to high-touch DTC brands—to help them expand reach, reduce costs, and improve delivery performance in underserved markets. 

Our Alaska service includes: 

✅ 3–5 business day delivery to final recipients 

✅ Up to 30% cost savings compared to traditional carriers 

✅ Reliable, consistent performance with high delivery success rates 

✅ Solutions for both small parcel shipping and high-volume shippers 

✅ Full tracking visibility across the shipping lifecycle 

✅ Local presence in Anchorage and Juneau for operational strength 

✅ Responsive customer service to support your teams 

We don’t treat Alaska like a challenge to manage. We treat it like a market to grow. 

Trusted by leaders, built for flexibility 

Whether you’re moving thousands of packages a day or just getting started with shipping to Alaska, we offer flexible options that plug directly into your operations. Our network is designed for scalability, without adding friction to your existing systems. 

And our customer base reflects that flexibility. We serve: 

  • Large-scale e-commerce platforms 
  • National MLM brands with distributed delivery needs 
  • Small and mid-size businesses ready to expand 

Make Alaska part of your growth strategy 

For over 20 years, we’ve helped businesses build customer loyalty and improve operational performance in remote markets like Alaska. 

If you’re ready to: 

  • Eliminate unnecessary shipping complexity 
  • Serve an underserved customer base 
  • Improve cost efficiency 
  • Deliver with confidence 

Then we’re ready to help you with shipping to Alaska

 

Connect with our team to explore the best solution for your business. Alaska isn’t too far—it’s simply underserved. And that’s exactly where e-commerce shipping solutions live.