- Do People Face Issues With Customs When Shipping Internationally?
- How Often Do International Shippers Get Ripped off From a Price Standpoint?
- How Do I Handle Documents, Duties, and Taxes?
- How Prevalent Is Damaged Cargo and Lost Cargo?
- What Do I Need to Know About Port Closures?
There’s no doubt that international shipping is an involved process. Streamlining this process requires a knowledgeable approach. We’re here to discuss the most common problems that people deal with during international shipping. Understanding these issues can lessen your likelihood of experiencing an international shipping incident.
Keep reading so you can ship your car or household goods internationally with confidence.
Do People Face Issues With Customs When Shipping Internationally?
Customs issues are one of the most typical problems people run into with international shipping. These roadblocks can manifest themselves in various ways. Issues with customs crop up due to the different regulations and tariffs that destinations hold. Logistics partners can charge a pretty penny for their service due to the customs clearing process's complexity.
Specific goods might be illegal to import as some countries ban goods to protect their market and historic landscape. A country’s primary crop can serve as an example of a product that holds an importation ban.
Here’s a quick list providing some more reasons why something you ship internationally may be denied clearance or delayed by the destination’s customs office:
- Lack of proper documentation
- Health-related dangers
- Misclassification and mislabeling of the items you’re shipping
- Duties that are higher than expected
Do your best to collaborate with your logistics partner to ensure your international shipment meets customs regulations. You don’t want to deal with things like customs delays. International shipments that are delayed by a customs office result in you paying more.
People shipping items internationally will experience frustration with the upcharge that delayed items result in. This frustration occasionally results in the abandonment of a shipment or a protest of the fees. Protesting delay fees commonly leads to an internationally shipped item’s status being in question.
Customs inspections aren’t frequent, but they’re also not out of the question. The chances of customs searching the item(s) you’re shipping internationally is between 2-10%.
How Often Do International Shippers Get Ripped off From a Price Standpoint?
Surprise shipping fees are the bane of an international shipper’s existence. The price structure of postal couriers is more straightforward than express couriers. The upside with express couriers is that you can ship your items internationally at a faster rate. Understanding the difference between unavoidable and avoidable surcharges will help international shipping fees become less of a surprise.
Fuel surcharges are one of the most common unavoidable international shipping fees. The current price of gas will go a long way in impacting how much a fuel surcharge is. An international shipment that’s going to a remote destination will result in an extended area surcharge. International shipping services can charge extra for remote destination deliveries since these locations stray from primary delivery routes.
Let’s talk about some surcharges you can avoid.
You must verify your delivery destination’s address. Not doing so can result in an unsuccessful delivery. Express couriers are known to charge more for deliveries that need a second attempt. Address verification programs can help you correctly establish your destination’s address during your checkout process.
Shipping an item internationally with your duty paid ahead of time can save you the time and energy that you’d spend with the destination’s customs office. A customs delay will occur if you don’t pay a duty ahead of time. You can pay the customs office when the item arrives if you prefer.
This leads to a perfect segue for our next topic.
How Do I Handle Documents, Duties, and Taxes?
Check ahead of time with the organization that you’re shipping internationally through to see if your destination requires any paperwork. Proper documentation helps protect an international destination port’s economy, its environment, and the resident population. Some items you ship internationally may require specific permits. International auto-shipments require several specified documents.
How Prevalent Is Damaged Cargo and Lost Cargo?
Lost or damaged cargo is an international shipper’s worst nightmare. You can reduce the likelihood of this nightmare becoming a reality by properly securing your cargo inside of its shipping container. Improper packing is the primary cause of cargo damage. A quality international auto and household goods shipping organization will have plenty of experience to secure your goods.
Filing an insurance claim can help protect you if a carrier or terminal employee mishandles your shipment. It’s essential to keep in mind that terminal or carrier mishandles rarely occur. Insuring your shipment can help you avoid losing money if your shipment gets lost during or at its destination port.
What Do I Need to Know About Port Closures?
The vital thing to know about port closures is that they’re not always expected. Employee strikes are an example of an event that can force a port to close temporarily. Natural disasters can additionally impact a port’s functionality. You can prepare yourself mentally for a port closure with the simple knowledge and acceptance that one might occur.