Expand Your Ecommerce Business With an Overseas Shipping Service
Expand your ecommerce business to international markets with a reliable overseas shipping service. Look for an international carrier that offers competitive rates, reliable delivery, and 24/7 customer support.
A good international shipper has warehouses around the world, which helps them deliver packages to remote areas more efficiently. They also know customs regulations and can advise you on what documents you need for each destination.
1. Air Freight
Air freight services offer businesses the opportunity to meet customer expectations for next-day delivery. While a costly option, it can make sense for businesses shipping high-value products that require expedited transit times.
Air transport requires a specialized team to manage and maintain cargo in flight. After passing a round of inspections at the airport, your shipment will be loaded onto an airline plane to fly to its destination city. Efficient ground management before and after the flight will ensure the freight reaches its carrier on time.
Freight forwarding companies are expert in the logistics networks of different shipping modes like trucks, trains, oceans, and airlines. They use multiple modes for a single freight consignment, and they can save you money with consolidated shipping services. They also handle the necessary paperwork to make sure your freight complies with all international policies and regulations. This is a critical step to successfully shipping overseas, especially for a business that has never shipped internationally before. A reputable freight forwarding company can help you streamline the process for maximum efficiency and success.
2. Ocean Freight
As the world’s largest and most popular shipping method, ocean freight shipping allows companies to ship their goods across the globe. It is most commonly used for larger shipments that are unable to fit into the smaller shipping containers of air freight.
Larger shipments will take more time to ship, and as a result, they will cost more. This is due to the amount of work involved in sorting, packing and loading them onto the ships. In addition, flammable and dangerous goods must be shipped via air freight because they cannot be placed in ocean containers.
Shipping rates depend on the size of your goods, the demand for them and their value. They are also influenced by fuel costs, currency rates and capacity on the sea lines.
Less than a Container Load (LCL) ocean consolidations are an ideal choice when you don’t have enough goods to fill a container, but you still want to save money. You can share space with other orders to your destination while maintaining visibility of the shipment. Alternatively, you can choose charter shipping, which offers a dedicated vessel for your cargo.
3. Customs Clearance
All goods that enter or exit a country must clear customs to comply with the receiving nation’s regulations. This process can include submitting required documentation, paying duties and taxes overseas shipping service and more. Many international shipping services provide customs clearance support, which is a vital part of the overseas shipping journey.
Customs clearance involves a thorough examination of your shipment’s documents and determining what duty to apply. A customs broker can help you prepare and submit required documentation, represent you during the examination of your shipment (and possibly an inspection), and handle all payments of duties and taxes.
The process begins with a detailed description of your shipping batteries internationally shipment and the application of an internationally-standardized commodity code, such as the Harmonized System Code. Customs brokers can help ensure that your shipment’s documents are properly completed to avoid costly delays and penalties.
The proper loading of your shipping container is another key factor in avoiding red flags from customs agents, which may lead to extensive examination and searches. Improper loading can also lead to insufficient space for your goods, which could trigger additional fees or even delay shipment.
4. Destination Handling
Overseas shipping services offer a variety of delivery options for businesses looking to ship overseas. These companies are responsible for bringing freight across borders after complying with several rules and regulations. These international shipments can be sent via air or ocean freight, and they must be accompanied by proper documentation to ensure Customs clearance.
These companies are also capable of reducing costs with consolidated shipping. This is where a container is filled with multiple shipments bound for the same destination and will save you significant amounts of money compared to shipping your shipment on your own.
Another service offered by overseas shipping services is destination handling. This includes all cargo handling undertakings at the destination depository as well as making your shipment ready for the consignee to pick it up. As with origin charges, destination charges can vary between shipping lines and ports. It is up to the freight forwarder or their agent to decide who pays for this service, and it may be charged to the shipper or consignee. This is why it’s important to know your freight and shipping costs in advance.
5. Import Haulage
Shipping products internationally is complex. Most businesses opt for a freight forwarding company that specializes in moving goods between locations. The process is more efficient than trying to arrange the steps themselves in-house.
Air freight is ideal for small shipments or for urgent deliveries to international destinations. It’s also the best option if you’re shipping less than container load (LCL). Ocean freight is cheaper and more predictable than air, but it takes longer than air or land.
Once your product reaches the border of its destination country, it passes another process of clearance to ensure that all requirements are met. This is usually handled by a certified customs professional or by an agent with a Customs House Broker license, depending on your agreement with your freight forwarder.
This step is known as destination handling. It includes cargo handling undertakings in the destination depository and transportation to a specified address. This service can be arranged by your freight forwarder or by a local transportation corporation. If the freight forwarder is responsible, they usually manage to avail the services of a local transportation company.
