November 2021

When your company does business outside of its borders, there are plenty of complexities that can seem challenging, like the language and currency. However, shipping internationally doesn’t have to be so complex with these helpful tips.

It’s great to have people from all around the world who want to buy your product. But are you prepared to ship it while complying with various regulations? For example, the major difference between shipping domestically and internationally is customs. 

If your business is ready to take shipping to the international level, we have some tips for you to keep in mind as you navigate this new playing field. 

The International Shipping Process

The first step in shipping internationally successfully is understanding how it works, specifically customs. Customs play a huge role in international shipping. They are there to protect its country’s citizens from potential security threats, health hazards, and counterfeit goods.

Custom procedures can change often, and each product has its own set of rules. Compliance procedures apply to all countries, who each have different rules. As you can tell, there is no universal rule when it comes to procedures, so your business must be aware of the differences when you venture into shipping with various countries.

Aside from understanding what you can and can’t ship, your business should have a brief knowledge on what the customs clearance process is, which are as follows:

1. The customs agent inspects the package and its relevant documents.
2. The customs agent will review the document and verify prices.
3. If the value of the package is above the minimum, then duties and tariffs will be applied and charged.
4. If the package shipped DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), then it will be released. If it’s shipped DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid, it will be held until the receiver has been contacted and submitted payment.

Having The Right Documents

Have you ever incurred any delay because of inaccurate shipment information? Yikes!

You want to make sure that your shipments can move through customs in any country by giving customs with accurate and complete documents. The efficiency of the international shipping process is through correct information. Having full details of the shipments will help the customs agent do their job quickly with little to no delays.

When shipping from the U.S., the form you will use most often is the Commercial Invoice which contains important information about the shipment, the receiver, and the sender. In some cases, you will need to provide supporting documents, like the Electronic Export Information (EEI) and/or the Certificate of Origin.

Communicate Is Key

One of the challenges for businesses is handling duties and tariffs so that the customers are happy (and hopefully purchase again). The best approach to this challenge is to be transparent and communicate clearly.

Depending on how the necessary costs will be paid, you will have to explain to your customer what the general breakdown is, and if you’ll be handling the costs on the customer’s behalf or if it’s the customer’s responsibility for the duties and taxes. 

Sometimes cheaper isn’t always better. The shipment can get lost in transit and cost both the customer and the business time and money to redo the whole process. Consider using a tracking service to provide both parties with the comfort of knowing where it is. Although tracking can cost more, it will be cheaper than re-shipping the product and/or dealing with unhappy customers.

Find The Right 3PL Company

It’s not just enough to have a good grasp on all this knowledge on navigating international shipping. Issues can arise and we can’t quite prepare for that, but you can turn to great resources for all your questions. 

• U.S. Commercial Service published A Basic Guide to Exporting which provides an overview of exporting and discusses the different channels to consider when trading cross-borders
• Websites of the border agencies for the countries you’re shipping to
• Shipping providers knowledgeable in international shipping

It’s exciting to expand your business into shipping globally. The best way to avoid any shipping delays and to satisfy your customers is to be prepared. 

Are you ready to understand the international shipping process, provide correct documentation, accurately calculate duties and tariffs, communicate with your customers, and seek out expert advice to take your business global?

Contact Us today to learn more about international shipping regulations and how Ship Joy can help you.

Amazon may have dominated the e-commerce space, but there is significant growth in the direct-to-consumer (DTC) ecosystem. Some of the top brands, including Adidas and Nike, are already implementing the DTC ecosystem’s different aspects to build their relationship with clients. One of the factors that have led to the DTC’s significant growth is the end to end eCommerce and rise of 3pl Solutions providers. Read more to find the keys to unlocking eCommerce Growth.

The end to end eCommerce solutions are services and technologies that are fundamental in supporting direct to consumer brands in different disciplines, from delivery to transactions to marketing. Most of these companies even come together to create customized solutions for DTC brands. 

This also helps them to remain competitive while saving on time and money.

Key Services Covered by End to End Ecommerce Services

Running a growing eCommerce brand can prove challenging for any company to do it on their own. This is why it’s important to consider the end to end eCommerce services that can help create customized solutions for your brand’s unique needs.

Here are a few eCommerce services that can come in handy.

Managing of Inventory

If you are a growing business, you will find it challenging managing inventory on your own, especially if you’ve got products stored in different locations. By partnering with 3pl Solutions, you stand to benefit from ERPs and inventory management software, making the process much easier.

Convenient Payment Processing

Unless an eCommerce business has a physical location, it’s not possible to take cash. When you work with payment processors, including Stripe and PayPal, your eCommerce business can conveniently accept payments both locally and internationally.

Choosing A 3PL Company

3PL is one that’s most commonly used and great for those experiencing rapid eCommerce growth. With 4PL, they act as consultants or head of logistics to help outsource all the supply chain tasks. Using Ship Joy is great if you’re looking for third-party logistic services.

Get Your Free Quote Today.