Global shipping is one of the few markets that managed to grow in 2020, a growth that was driven in large part by the increase in international eCommerce purchases. If you are competing in that space, being able to deliver goods to clients abroad can give you a huge advantage.
However, whether you are trying to ship sold merchandise to international customers or import goods and supplies from abroad, there is a lot that goes into successfully getting a package from one country to another. The process isn’t so complicated that a solo entrepreneur can’t navigate it alone, but it’s important to pay attention to the details. Failing to follow the proper procedure can lead to additional fees, delays, and other logistical problems. With that in mind, here are some tips that will help you successfully get packages in and out of the country.
1 – Fill the proper forms
A common rookie mistake is to send international packages without the proper paperwork. Oftentimes courier services will pick up on this mistake and guide you through the proper procedure themselves, but if the package reaches customs without the proper paperwork, it’ll be held there until the sender can provide the required information.
Different custom offices around the world have different paperwork requirements, but you are generally required to provide information regarding the contents of the package and the value of each item when shipping goods abroad. Many countries also require that you provide the product’s code under the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding Systems standard.
These requirements serve two purposes: safety and taxation. If the information you provide isn’t adequate, custom officers may have to open the package to confirm what is inside, which causes delays and may incur additional fees. Packages with their paperwork in order are usually only subjected to an x-ray scan to confirm the contents.
2 – Handle the fees in advance
Packages sent internationally are subject to duties and taxes. There are two options for handling these: you can pay the values in advance, or you can have the package’s recipient pay for it upon delivery.
There are two things to consider here. First of all, while nearly all packages going through customs incur some type of duty cost, not all packages need to pay taxes. It depends on the value of what’s being shipped, and on various trade agreements that may be in effect.
Second of all, while paying duties and taxes in advance is the fastest option, it can lead to problems. Paying in advance means you’ll have to calculate the cost of duties and taxes yourself, and if you pay the wrong amount, you’ll need to sort it out before the product leaves customs.
3 – Check package restrictions
There are hundreds of international rules and regulations determining what can and can’t be shipped in a certain way. Anything illegal can’t be shipped internationally for obvious reasons, and most countries also impose heavy restrictions on the shipping of firearms and alcoholic beverages.
On top of common international restrictions, countries also have their unique list of restrictions. The UK has restrictions on meat and dairy, Germany has restrictions on some medical and dental supplies, France restricts certain electronics, etc. It’s important to double-check local restrictions before you ship the item abroad.
Keep in mind that “restricted” does not mean “prohibited”. Restricted items can clear customs if the proper conditions are met and the proper paperwork is taken care of. If your package can’t clear customs, it will be returned to the sender.
4 – Check courier restrictions
Just because an item got through customs doesn’t mean the hurdles are over. Your chosen international courier will also have their list of restricted items, often determined by shipping safety procedures.
For example, most couriers that ship goods by planes will not accept packages that contain batteries. That’s because lithium batteries pose a potential fire hazard. This restriction means that if you want to ship phones, tablets, laptops, and other electronics with batteries you’ll need to find a courier that can take this type of cargo.
5 – Don’t be afraid to get help
While international shipping can be complicated, it’s a system that thousands of people navigate daily. This means there are plenty of places out there where you can get help on how to deal with this process.
Talking with your courier service is a good place to start getting information. They’ll likely be able to tell you about all the forms you need to fill and where you should file them, and they will have the latest information on any procedure changes. They can also let you know of any steps you can take to speed up the shipping process.
Online resources like Fast Courier also contain lots of information that helps explain how to clear customs, and safely ship certain products. There are also online tools that let you calculate your shipping costs, and help you estimate how much you’ll need to pay in duties and taxes.
Finally, if you ship large amounts of varied goods internationally, it may be worth it to hire a logistics consultant who can help streamline your shipping procedures with international shipping in mind. Or pay for a logistics software solution that makes the process easier.
.jpg){kind=tracking}