The idea of sending your precious cargo overseas can be a bit daunting, especially if you don’t have much experience with international logistics. Visions of containers lost at sea, getting slapped with huge customs bills, or wrestling with piles of paperwork are enough to make any business owner break into a cold sweat.
But, as with anything in life, with the right guidance, international shipping doesn’t have to be stressful (or risky). In fact, it can be smooth sailing that helps take your business to exciting new markets, opening up new revenue generating opportunities.
In this guide, we will dive into some strategies and tips around picking out the best container method, finding a great freight forwarding partner, packing pro tips, and most importantly – how to ship goods effectively while avoiding headaches or surprise costs.
Choosing the Best Freight Method
Your first big decision is finding the right vessel for transporting your goods. This usually comes down to two key factors – cost and speed.
Air freight is a lot faster with shipments arriving in days. But just like catching a last minute flight, it comes with a heftier price tag, too. Sea shipping takes longer – we’re talking weeks (or sometimes even months in transit) – but is usually cheaper per item.
What should go by air or sea? Here’s a simple rule of thumb:
- Air freight works best for time-sensitive or valuable goods in which faster transit is worth the premium price. Think fresh seafood bound for high-end sushi restaurants or the latest iPhone release headed to electronics resellers.
- Sea shipping suits heavier, dense products when speed isn’t as important. If you sell gym equipment parts, for example, ocean freight is probably the way to container go.
As an added note – if you have got perishables or specialty products, you’ll potentially need to look at temperature-controlled or specialty containers, too. But the same air vs. ocean considerations apply.
FCL or LCL – Deciding How to Containerize
Alright, you’ve picked air or sea…now how much space do you need in that vessel? This decision centers around two options:
- FCL shipping: This means you will have an entire shipping container to yourself. You get a lot more control, but you pay for the privilege.
- LCL shipping: This means you are sharing space in a container with other companies to split costs. You get much less control and visibility, but it’s a lot cheaper, especially for smaller or mid-sized shipments.
In general, FCL shipping is advantageous when you’ve got enough products to fill most of a container. It offers better security, protection against damage, and direct transport without your goods being moved mid-route. But under-filling containers through loose loading gets pricey fast.
LCL shipping costs much less overall when your quantities are lower. You only pay for the actual space you occupy – like checking a couple suitcases on a passenger flight versus chartering the whole plane for yourself. Downsides are slightly higher risk of delays or damage since containers make multiple stops as they unload and reload mixed cargo.
Pack Like a Pro
You bought your freight space…now it’s time to fill them up. The way you package your products can make or break the safety of your shipment and cause delays if you don’t conform to standards. Some key pointers:
- Choose a durable outer shipping box that’s sturdy enough for stacking in containers
- Wrap fragile products extremely securely with filler packing material
- Waterproof anything moisture-sensitive to protect against condensation
- Label meticulously with shipping addresses, any special handling instructions (fragile, this way up arrows, etc.) and contents details
- Meet international shipping guidelines like ISTA certification
Remember – long journeys mean exposure to drops, shocks, vibrations and even getting wet despite everyone’s best efforts. So go the extra mile padding and reinforcing your products. Because when cargo arrives damaged or gets held up by customs for missing paperwork, it affects the customer experience and usually means you will need to make amends.
Finding a Freight Forwarder
You’ve packaged your goods with care, but navigating the intricacies of international shipping is a different beast altogether. This is where an experienced freight forwarder proves their worth in gold.
These logistics experts are essentially travel agents for cargo. They arrange the most economical transport routes (securing the best rates), navigate headaches like customs paperwork, provide delivery estimates and tracking, advise on fees to budget for – essentially everything needed to shepherd your goods safely door-to-door.
But not all forwarders are created equal. Do your homework to find one well-versed specifically in your target export countries and type of cargo. A shipping veteran for Australian bound meat exports won’t necessarily grasp the complexities of textile delivery to Brazil, for instance.
Also, it’s smart due diligence to get quotes from a few recommended companies, too. Pricing and client reviews can swing wildly. However, don’t just default to the lowest bidder. This is a case where specialized expertise outweighs bargaining basement pricing.
Tracking and Monitoring In Transit
Your freight forwarder scheduled pickup and just notified you that the shipment is enroute. Here are a few key factors that still need your attention before you can relax about your precious cargo.
- Getting cargo insurance in case disaster strikes. Damage, accidents or delays happen despite everyone’s best efforts – make sure your goods are covered.
- Monitoring your shipment’s journey through each transportation leg via online tracking.
- Staying on top of expected arrival times and being informed ASAP if anything seems amiss according to plan. Good forwarders provide frequent status updates.
- Understanding precisely who handles what if delays or damage occur. For example, if your shipment gets held up in customs, how long before the forwarder steps in?
Final Word
The idea of sending goods abroad may seem complex (or maybe even impossible) at first – between picking freight methods, securing proper packaging, finding partners to handle customs, and sticking to regulations.
But don’t let that deter you from tapping into new global markets. With the tips above around choosing transport carriers, packing like pros, and working with the right freight forwarder, your products can safely reach destinations worldwide without the headache.
