Shipping internationally can be a complex and daunting task. A litany of options for shipping things across the border and around the world are available, but knowing how to ship internationally is the best place to start. Whether figuring out international shipping rates, carrier restrictions or timing, international shipping can be a hassle. This guide will walk you through the best way to ship internationally.
The first thing to understand is that there are different rules for shipping domestically and internationally and different requirements for customs clearance for international shipments versus domestic ones. With these differences in mind, there are some things you’ll want to do to make sure your international shipment arrives as on time as possible.
Why is it Hard to Ship Internationally?
Even if you’re terrestrially shipping a product internationally, crossing physical or established borders creates hurdles that domestic shipping never encounters. From differing shipping options, restrictions, taxes, laws and customs, there are far more moving parts when dealing with international shipping. All of this means that you’ll need to get a lot more organized if you want to avoid some of the most common pitfalls that can occur when shipping internationally.
What is the Difference Between Domestic and International Shipping?
Domestically, there are two main types of shipping methods you can use to get your packages to their destinations. These are ground and expedited delivery. While ground shipping is the most popular method because of its low cost and convenience, it has its limitations. Expedited shipping offers more convenience but is more expensive and takes more time to deliver when shipping internationally. Outside of the obvious differences between domestic and international shipping, the pricing, scale and timing can wildly change for the same item moving between borders. Though domestic shipments can move from a distribution center and then from truck to truck, a shipment is rarely not in transit. When shipping internationally, parcels can end up tied up in processing and if not prepaid, your shipment can be stuck in customs.
9 Things to Consider With Shipping Internationally
Beyond the considerations above, there are more nuances when it comes to international shipping that might pose logistical challenges. Consider these nine things when shipping internationally.
Customs Requirements
Regardless of whether you’re shipping by air or sea, international shipping will always run into customs. Though customs requirements change from country to country, knowing the associated fees will save you a future headache. For instance, all nonpaper products shipped internationally will have a duty fee attached to them. Otherwise, all customs fees and associated taxes are in proportion to the value of the product and the country it’s being shipped to.
International Shipping Restrictions
Just as the laws of the land in the U.S. can vary from state to state, this holds true when shipping internationally. Though some of the most common things countries won’t let through customs are agriculture, animal, drug and weapon-related, each country has its own set of rules. When thinking about shipping restrictions, remember that you cannot ship anything from the country of origin or to the destination country if it is a restricted shipping item for either of the countries. Additionally, there are certain items that are forbidden from being brought into a country by international law for safety and political reasons.
Taxes and Shipping Tariffs
When considering taxes for shipping internationally, there are three types of tariffs to be aware of — import tariffs, export tariffs and luxury taxes. The import tariff is the tax imposed at the border of the country of import and is based on the type and value of the goods to be imported to the country. The export tariff is the imposition of tax at the border of the country of export and is based on the type and value of the goods to be exported out of the country. A luxury tax is a type of tax on luxurious items in the country of import. These types of taxes are subject to change and regulations set by the local government.
Shipping Insurance
When shipping internationally, it is important to note what documents are required, like a certificate of origin, and what procedures need to be followed, like filling out the necessary paperwork. To ensure a smooth international shipment process, it is important to check whether your shipping carrier offers insurance on products it hauls to avoid any unforeseeable mishaps or damage during the shipping process. Most carriers offer an option to upgrade to additional shipping insurance coverage in case any unexpected events occur during the shipping process.
Package Weight
The cost of international shipping varies depending on a number of factors, including package weight, package size and the distance of travel between countries. Knowing the exact weight of your package is a key part of international shipping. If you exceed the maximum weight limit set by your carrier you may have to pay additional fees to ensure your package is delivered safely to its final destination or it may be outright rejected, in which case you will have to start the process again.
Time in Transit
Though international shipping will almost certainly take longer than a domestic shipment, knowing your time in transit is key depending both on what you’re shipping and when it needs to be at its final destination. This can be especially true if you happen to be shipping perishable goods because the likelihood of having delays in an international shipment is exponentially higher because of outside factors.
Documentation
The documentation needed for international shipments varies from item to item, depending on its country of origin and its destination country. It is important to always check which specific types of documentation are required for your shipment before booking it with your carrier to avoid delays and additional charges. Animals and agriculture will need additional forms, but be sure to check what additional documentation may be required for items like firearms, flammable items and frozen goods to make sure they make it to their destination in one piece.
Medium of Transportation
When you’re shipping internationally, knowing the medium of transportation for your shipment is also important. The two nonterrestrial options for international shipping are air freight and sea. When choosing between air freight and sea there are three key factors to keep in mind, time, cost and what you’re actually shipping. Air is always going to be the fastest. It also is far safer for materials that are fragile or heat-sensitive. On the other hand, sea freight is the most cost-effective way to ship an item overseas, but it takes much longer and is rarely the better choice for fragile materials.
Shipment Costs
Shipping an item internationally is going to be much more expensive than shipping domestically, not only because of the added cost of the international shipping charges but also because of the weight of the item. Depending on the size and weight of your shipment, it may also be subject to additional fees such as terminal handling charges and other surcharges from your carrier. It’s important to research all the potential fees associated with the shipment of your item so you can avoid any surprises when it comes time to pay the bill.
Ship Worldwide with Peace of Mind
Now that you know what to look for when shipping internationally, you can start searching for the right carrier to meet your needs. FreightWaves Ratings has a host of articles comparing multiple carriers to help you find the right partner.
FAQ
Shipping by sea is the cheapest way to ship internationally, but it takes longer and isn’t the best for fragile or perishable items.
Having all of your documentation in order, such as weight, taxes and restrictions, is the best way to not incur more costs when shipping internationally.
The package can either end up stuck in customs forever or be restricted for a long time.
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