Shipping goods from one country to another is always an easy thing to do until something happens. Whether a single container is delayed, a document is missing, or there are some customs complications, in no time your customer will be asking about their order.
Fortunately, most problems with shipping have a solution, and the problem can almost always be linked to one of a few simple things: bad planning, bad paperwork, lack of visibility, or the wrong choice of the shipping company.
If these problems are solved, then shipping suddenly becomes a lot easier.
Even if your company only ships a couple of pallets every month or ships containers on a regular weekly basis, the most effortless international shipping solutions are based on the fundamentals. Here are a few practical solutions.
Plan Before Shipping
Many of the shipping delays will be predetermined prior to the shipment leaving your facility.
Smart companies include shipping as part of their normal planning routine rather than as an afterthought. Consider the following when making your booking:
- Seasonal demand
- Port congestion
- Lead time
- Carrier availability
Here are just a few tips that may help:
- Book two to three weeks ahead in peak seasons
- Make separate lead time estimations for different routes
- Have a back-up carrier and/or alternative route for important shipments
- Identify past delays and adjust accordingly
Logistics and supply chain management is about lowering uncertainties.
Handle Your Documents Properly
While paperwork appears as just a small component of the shipping process, it can result in significant delays.
Incorrect HS codes, discrepancies between invoice and packing list, or lack of appropriate certificates will keep the cargo at the customs office for many days.
Create a brief checklist for each country you plan to ship to and apply it to all shipments. The common documents include the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/air waybill, and product certificates if required.
Moreover, it would be useful to:
- Have a common description of products
- Have a common HS code list within your company
- Check the correct Incoterms before the shipment
- Have previous declarations for repeat shipments
Also, good freight forwarding services will check your documents before submission.
Choose the Right Freight Carrier
The cheapest freight carrier is not necessarily the right one.
Some carriers are excellent at sea freight but may lack the capabilities to handle emergency shipping cases. Some may excel in air freight but lack coverage in some specific locations.
Ask the following questions before choosing the freight carrier:
- What trade routes do you operate on regularly?
- How do you report any delays?
- What is your customs clearance procedure?
- Do you cope with both regular and peak season volume?
It is wiser to choose a freight carrier that will provide all the necessary cargo shipping services along with customs clearance than the cheapest one that uses many other third-party carriers.
Reliable global freight services will save you more in the long run.
Leverage Technology for Greater Visibility
Without visibility into where your cargo is, you can’t hope to manage it effectively.
Modern technology can give you visibility into your cargo, telling you where the containers are, when they are expected to arrive, and when something goes wrong, so that you have time to take action rather than waiting for the customer’s complaint.
Take advantage of:
- Transport management systems for booking and documentation purposes
- Real-time tracking with automatic alerts
- Rate comparison software for checking carrier quotations
- Dashboard for managing shipping costs and performance
Improved information will help enhance logistics and supply chain management. With visibility into issues like delayed shipments on certain routes or additional fees for certain shipments, you can start solving the problem.
Consolidate Loads and Reduce Incidental Costs
Although regular small loads may sound like an easy option, they can prove to be quite costly.
Each shipment could incur its own handling charges, documentation fees, and even minimum rates.
By consolidating your load deliveries, you could significantly lower cost per piece as well as the frequency of handling the cargo.
Look out for incidental costs such as:
- Demurrage and detention charges
- Remeasurement costs
- Destination storage costs
- Fuel and currency surcharges
Professional organizations providing international freight forwarding services can help you come up with a suitable consolidation schedule based on your order frequencies. This is usually an easy way of reducing costs while keeping the same logistics plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should I plan my international shipments?
For shipping by sea, you could plan two to three weeks in advance as a bare minimum. Booking ahead of peak seasons will give you more safety margin. Arrangements for air shipping could be made faster, though.
2. What are the reasons for customs delays?
One of the most frequent reasons is incorrect or insufficient documentation. Wrong HS codes, invoice details, and lack of relevant certificates can delay your shipment.
3. Does air freight always take less time than sea?
No, not always. Although air travel itself is faster, handling and customs clearance also take time. Non-urgent goods could be transported via sea more economically.
4. Should small businesses use freight forwarders?
Quite often. Freight forwarding companies could perform various services related to cargo movement on their behalf.
Conclusion
Improving international shipping efficiency does not depend on a single significant step. Instead, there are a number of practical ways to make it happen: plan ahead, have all the necessary paperwork in order, find the proper partner, have better shipment visibility, and consolidate your shipments if it works.
Companies that understand the significance of logistics and supply chain management in running their business will be able to keep costs low and deliveries on time.
Are you looking for an easier way to ship internationally? Advance Shipment offers reliable cargo shipping services and global freight services customized specifically to your shipping routes and requirements. Contact us today!