Human beings are no exception to making mistakes and so are businesses.
As one might ponder mistakes is how we pick ourselves up and learn, to firms, mistakes are the en route to finding industry-specific solutions for the persisting problems.
Let’s get real, mistakes do happen, and it comes through multiple doors of entry.
From the context of international shipping, the opportunity of errors and slid ups to occur are not very slimmer.
Sending home basics to loved ones abroad is wonderful, but it often involves endless bureaucracy and unexpected expenditures.
Hence, to save you from those regretful moments of ‘Had I seen this coming before?’ here is a list of seven biggest mistakes and the ways to avert it like a pro.
1. Improper packaging- Leaks before you knew
‘Every package cry for help’- as it goes through multiple transit points, withstanding extreme weather conditions and rough handling during the custom check points.
Proper Packaging is crucial due to its harsh journey, and one weak area might cause damaged goods delivery and consumer unhappiness.
How to fix it?
- Bubble wrap or give enough padding for fragile items.
- Use leak-proof packages while sending liquid items.
- Apply neat labelling to all the packages with clear instructions for the ones requiring special handling.
- Use sturdy boxes and double tape it to secure your packaging.
Pro-Tip: Opt for a service provider like Brown Post who takes complete accountability of the packaging through their expert team.
2. Ignoring shipping costs – Your wallets are going empty
Cross-border shipments doesn’t get through a single step.
Customs charges, handling fees, taxes, and economic volatility can significantly increase shipping expenses.
Some of the impact of the costs also tend to occur when the surcharges are ignored.
How to fix it?
- Try negotiating with three to four local delivery partners to get an affordable courier partner.
- Availing yourself of the existing online shipping calculators to check regularly for duties and taxes.
- Also, get to learn about the customs tax payment terms and conditions to ensure smooth sail of your packages.
3. Wrong choice with carrier options- Never settle for less
The duality of customers expectations can never stop.
Don’t you all want speedy and safe delivery or safe and timely delivery? In that case, opting for the cheapest carrier option cannot be the wisest choice.
Each carrier has strengths and weaknesses; therefore, their capacities vary. Some lack sufficient tracking support.
How to fix it?
- Analyse the carrier options based on your intent behind.
- Always compare the carriers based on their tracking abilities, reliability and speed.
4. Disregarding customs regulations- The more you ignore, the more it shows up
The black hole of international shipment is when it leaves no traces of where it went after a few weeks of its deployment.
When you are organising a search party to find elsewhere, and still couldn’t find it, the answer there is simple, ‘Your package is stuck at the customs’.
Since all nations have various import/export rules, you’ll incur enormous fines and face endless delays if you’re not knowledgeable.
How to fix it?
- Always do proper research in educating oneself on the shipping regulations.
- Try to pen down with the list of restricted items under each country.
5. Incorrect address – It gets woozy when basic goes wrong
It may sound little unimaginable, but true cases also do exist where international shipments gone missing because of a simple spell error.
Mistaken house addresses, postal codes, and reversed street names can send your item on a circular revolution.
How to fix it?
- Pay attention to the differing address format pertaining to each destination.
- Make sure that customers provide their phone number to ease up such situations like this.
6. Lack of understanding about Incoterms- Gets crucial even to begin with
If your mind spaces out while reading the weird terms like FOB or EXW, on the paper, it is definitely because of the incoterms effect. However, not willing to learn what it is, you are setting up for a deep trouble.
How to fix it?
- Always choose to learn at least the basics of the incoterms to escape from the minimum damage.
- In case of selling internationally, mention whether the price includes customs and delivery fees.
7. Relying on a single carrier option- Forgone opportunity in sticking to the one
‘When we trust one, we follow it blindly’.
Most of you always like to go with a single operator more than trying out different options. However, the flip side of it being you lose out on the other viable opportunities which has a potential to cost you little.
In case of any carrier strike happening, it might cause endless delays.
How to fix it?
- To avoid such scenarios, always have backup plans to handle unexpected situations.
- Expanding your contact alternatives might provide flexibility and competitive rates.
Wrap Up
Time to ease up with the aversion of international shipping.
By recognising some of the top seven mistakes and in knowing one’s way of handling and preventing such occurrence, your packages are good to go. Such proactive actions will also necessarily help you in saving money, minimising delays and ensuring customer satisfaction. From now on, before hitting the go button, always check for the neat packaging & labelling, and keeping track of customs regulation to ensure that your shipment is accompanied by a smooth sail.
