Many businesses eventually grow to the point where they need to ship goods in and out of various countries through customs. Unfortunately, that’s easier said that done. Sometimes, transporting goods between countries is a nightmare.
In this post, we take a look at some frequently-asked international shipping questions that regularly come up for businesses looking to expand their operations in this way.
Can I Pay Somebody To Manage Shipping For Me?
Yes, you can. It turns out that there are brokers and agencies out there who will manage the customs process for you in exchange for a fee.
What Is A Stowage Plan?
A stowage plan is a plan for the contents of containers you’ll ship and how you’ll arrange them. The goal of the plan is maximize your use of the available volume while preventing anything from sliding around during transport, damaging the goods inside.
Before you ship any containers, speak with a pallet manufacturer about the type of storage and packaging solutions you might need. Some need storage that can perform at high temperatures, while others require extra padding to stop rattling.
What Is Short Shipping?
Short shipping refers to a situation where the carrier doesn’t have space for your goods on a specific consignment. Here, they may delay part of your delivery until another ship or airliner becomes available.
What Is Third-Party Billing?
Third-party billing refers to a situation where neither the sender nor the receiver pays for the cost of shipping. For instance, a third-party billing situation might arise when a contractor orders the shipping of building materials to their client’s site.
What Happens If My Goods Are Lost Or Damaged?
Your recourse if your goods are lost or damaged depends on your shipping providers’ policies. Most offer a claims process that allows you to access compensation without having to sue or take legal action.
Can I Buy Cargo Insurance?
Many shipping services allow you to buy cargo insurance from third-party providers. These services attach a small fee to the regular cost of shipping. But, in return, you receive a payment equal to the value of your goods if they’re get damaged.
How Do I Pack Goods?
It’s essential to pack goods correctly if you are planning on sending them overseas. This is not the job of the carrier (unless they offer it as a separate service), so you’ll need to plan it carefully.
What’s The Largest Sized Item I Can Ship?
The maximum size and shape of items that you can ship depends heavily on the carrier you use. Many set limits – for instance, the size of the containers that they use. But others offer bespoke services, should you require them.
What Happens If Only Part Of My Shipment Arrives?
In business, receiving only part of your shipment is a common occurrence. Carriers will sometimes break a consignment into different loads, depending on their business priorities.
If you’re worried, first check your freight using a tracking tool. If it says that everything has arrived, call the company and ask them for a full explanation.
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