Guide To International Shipping
Shipping across borders is a highly challenging procedure. In addition to a tonne of paperwork, one must consider the customs rules, the cost of international shipment, the turnaround time, and many other factors. We’ve ranked the top ten considerations when shipping internationally for your convenience.
Exports haulage, origination handling, exporting customs clearance, sea freight, customs for import clearance, final handling and imports haulage are the steps in international shipping.
1. Volumetric Weight
The bigger of the two factors—the package’s actual weight or volumetric weight—determines the shipping cost. The package’s volumetric weight rises as it gets bigger. It is easy to determine the volumetric weight of a parcel by multiplying its width, length, and height (all expressed in centimetres) and then dividing the outcome by 5000. Many shipping companies, including Shopper, help you reduce the volumetric weight by offering consolidation and repackaging services.
2. Clearance of Customs
When sending a package abroad, it must be approved by
Carrier Clearance: Your shipping company must clear the package. The policies of well-known shipping companies like DHL, FedEx, and others are readily available on their websites.
Customs Clearance: After the shipping partner has cleared the shipment, it travels through the customs department twice. Two customs clearance processes are required for your package: the first is in the location where the goods are shipped. And once more in the nation where the product is being delivered.
3. Banned Items
According to the official policies of each country, some goods cannot be imported or exported to protect the environment, promote social cohesion, preserve natural resources, and prevent trade embargoes. Examine the list of prohibited items for the destination and the country where the shipment is transported. Before shipping, customers must check the shipping carriers’ list of prohibited items. When you send a forbidden commodity, customs officials can seize it and never arrive at its destination, or the sender might get hit with a fine or penalty. Thereby, don’t send these items to guarantee hassle-free, timely receipt of the package.
4. Duty on Customs
Your package is subject to the customs and taxes of every country it travels through. It is challenging for shippers in one nation to determine the precise customs duty on imports from another nation. In this instance, the extra taxes are the responsibility of the clients. In addition to this, a brokerage fee may occasionally be assessed to clear your product via regional customs.
5. Special items’ clearance fees
A specific package clearance fee is necessary for several commodities, including liquids, semi-liquids, prepared food, medicine, ayurvedic treatments, and cosmetics like nail polish. The volume of the products affects the clearance fee.
6. Delivery fees
Use online resources, including the shipping price analyzer on your shipping partner’s website, to double-check the shipping costs. However, additional fees are occasionally not disclosed, such as shipping surcharges and fees for remote areas, taxes, and duties. Before selecting one, take the time you compare a few services. Then, choose the one that best suits your needs.
7. Transit Period
Delivery of an international package typically takes 3-6 business days. Express shipping, a little more expensive than regular shipping, is an option to send a package quickly.
8. Presentation
To prevent damage in transit, you must properly pack the things when sending a courier abroad with plenty of extra padding. You can use bubble wrap or newspapers.
9. Protection
Before sending a package abroad, it will always be a good idea to get it insured, especially if you are sending something expensive. For the insurance, get in touch with your shipping partner. Additionally, you should know what your insurance will pay for and what you will be reimbursed for in the event of damage or loss.
10. Following
Make sure the shipping partner can trace your shipment at all times. It makes it simple to track the shipment’s location and guarantee on-time delivery.
Remember these suggestions when sending something abroad to make the shipping procedure simple and hassle-free. Several shipping businesses available will handle the procedure on your behalf.
11. Decide on a broker for customs and the transaction’s parameters
Customs brokers ensure that cargo passes through customs quickly and without any problems. Your selected broker will attempt to settle any issues on your behalf if there are any. However, you and the importer/recipient of the package are free to select your own broker.
The conditions of the transaction, referred to as the worldwide commercial terms or incoterms, should be agreed upon by the buyer (typically the importer/recipient) and the seller (often the shipper/exporter). These conditions outline the precise point at which ownership changes hands during the shipment’s transit from the vendor to the buyer. The decision regarding insurance, clearance, broker choice, some documentation responsibilities, and delivery following customs clearance are all directly impacted by the point of transfer.
12. Finish and submit your customs paperwork.
Customs delays can be minimized by maintaining uniform and complete descriptions of package contents throughout all necessary paperwork. An accurate description must respond to the inquiries for any commodity being sent.