Shipping Freight Internationally: 5 Things To Know
When shipping freight internationally, there are many things to be considered. After all, international shipping is more complex than localized deliveries. There are plenty of custom regulations to follow.
Furthermore, shipping freight internationally comes with a boatload of paperwork that must be sorted out. You have to take care of all of that while ensuring that the shipment will arrive at its destination on time.
Meanwhile, one of the options for sending freight internationally is by sea freight. Freight sea is one of the most popular shipping options because they’re suitable for transporting large and bulky items.
In this article, you’ll understand the essential things you should be aware of before shipping overseas.
- There Are Restrictions
In case you didn’t know, not everything can be shipped. Every country has its own set of shipping rules and regulations that you must follow to avoid legal consequences. Items such as drugs and firearms are always restricted no matter where you want to send them.
Each country has a different set of restrictions when it comes to packaged goods. So, before you start packaging items, be sure to check the restricted product list of the destination country. Shipping restricted goods may just end up being held up by customs.
Also, you have to be ready for your freight to be tagged for inspection, especially if it has no proper documentation or if the customs personnel find your items questionable. This will lead to delays that may take several days.
- Use The Correct Packaging
Since your goods are going to be transported overseas, it’s crucial that you use the correct packaging, especially for fragile items. Fragile items must be packed carefully and have more support so they won’t break or get damaged while being shipped. Additionally, you must think about the method of transportation as well.
Air shipping is safer for products and goods but more expensive. If you ship by air, you don’t need to put a huge effort into packaging the items since this method of transportation is safer, unlike shipping by sea.
Aside from proper and secure packaging, you must ensure that the freight is labeled correctly. In some countries, you’re required to put specific labels on the package. These include content description, destination, and other important information. Be sure to include all the necessary labels on the package before shipping it.
- Method Of Transportation
Another thing that you should consider when it comes to shipping freight internationally is the medium of transportation you’ll use. There are three options to choose from: air, sea, or land. Out of the three, air freight has the fastest lead times, but the shipping costs are expensive. Air shipping is also safer so it’s ideal for fragile or valuable items.
Meanwhile, sea freight is the more affordable shipping option, but it takes time before the package arrives at its destination. On the other hand, shipping by land is also possible, but it’s more suitable for packages closer to their destination.
- Customs Regulations And Fees
When you ship items internationally, they’ll certainly go through customs, which means you must complete some paperwork. Without these documents, your shipment could be delayed or rejected.
Apart from the paperwork, you also have to deal with customs fees. These fees usually depend on the value of the package you want to ship and its destination. Believe it or not, you must pay taxes when shipping overseas.
Shipping taxes vary according to the shipment fee, the value of the package, insurance, warehousing fee, and other extra charges you might incur throughout the whole process. If you don’t want to deal with customs yourself, you can always rely on freight forwarders.
The freight forwarding company will handle everything. They’ll deal with the customs department of the country you’re shipping to and get your package through customs quickly. They can even take care of your package if there are issues with its paperwork or if it has been tagged for inspection. Overall, it’s best to talk to a freight forwarder to get help when shipping freight overseas.
- Insurance
Lastly, shipping goods internationally can leave them vulnerable to damage and accidents. Hence, it’s best to get your packages insured, especially if the goods are fragile and highly valuable. It would help if you never downplayed the importance of insurance. It provides a financial safety net and saves you from a string of problems once your shipment goes awry.
Final Thoughts
Keep these important things in mind to ensure that your international shipping will go flawlessly. The first time you send a shipment abroad will be the most challenging for you. But, after that, you should be able to get the hang of it.
