Getting lost or making things complicated is not uncommon to some shippers who have no experience yet in going through the process of international shipping. As such, there is higher likelihood that the transaction would result to delay which can be detrimental to business priorities especially when the goods are intended for lucrative trade. It is thus crucial for novice individual and company shippers to be guided on the documentation of the shipment and other processes relative thereto so as not to get into the situation that could cause delay or whatsoever hassles commonly confronted by others. And congruently, the following instructions can be of great aid in ensuring an efficient process for international shipping:
- Determine the shipping needs including the destination of the items, the value of the goods to be shipped, insurance, type and size of times, and the quantity of the items before deciding what carrier should deliver them. Along with these, it is also crucial to ascertain the cost of shipment to estimate the amount of expenses to incur.
- Send packages through private services such as UPS, DHL, fedex usa, and USPS among other options you may have. Though these may seem expensive to choose, the benefit of negotiating with them is still worth the expense considering the faster delivery especially of the perishable goods.
- Ship the items through U.S. Postal Service if you want an economical way of shipping your materials given the flat rate and insurance. However, for larger items, it is wise to prefer the Express Mail International Service considering that it has no weight or size limitations. But you may find it more economical to choose the First Class Mail International when shipping larger or heavier items as it offers insurance.
- Consider the assistance of an international freight forwarder for a more efficient shipment transaction with large amounts and heavier items. But you have to decide first whether to go for air freight or ocean freight; anyhow, if you have budget restrictions, the ocean freight is best considering that you can deliver without worrying too much about the weight or size of the items and the cost of service. And to determine the possible price of shipping goods, the rate based on weight and size of the packages should be asked from the shipping company and then calculated before proceeding with the delivery transaction.
- Communicate with the international shipping agent to confirm the number of packages, price, and options. It is then necessary to take the packages to the nearest private parcel shipping company or the local post of your choice. However, before shipping, it is also necessary to consult with the agent regarding the customs and restrictions to the destination of the items.
Nevertheless, the most essential element for efficient international shipment is the wise decision-making of the shipper on the right type of carrier that could ensure the safety or security of goods during the course of transportation. And yet, it is wise to bear in mind that the shipping instructions are not limited to the aforementioned as their applicability would still depend on the priorities of the shipper and the guidelines by the shipping company or concerned agency.
RSS Feed