The ocean and sky are both enormous and full of possibilities. That is why we use them every day to ship freight around the world. But aside from crossing the sky and ocean, there are many factors to take into account to make sure your goods get where they need to be. Detention and demurrage, crowded ports, export licences, bills of lading, and inspection certificates are only a few examples. There is much planning to do.
In this article we have compiled everything you need to know in order to make international freight clearer.
How does it work?
Transporting commodities across international borders by land and sea in containers is known as international freight transportation. It sounds rather simple but actually involves a few important things. One of them being border crossing. Border crossing is a layered process with several laws and guidelines rolling over it.
For example, think of a UK customer that orders Chinese goods online. From container pickup to delivery, the entire procedure is planned by a freight forwarder. After being picked up by truck from the Chinese manufacturer, the item will be loaded, sealed, and transported to the port in a designated container.
Documents must be submitted to the authorities before being carried onboard a certain shipping vessel. The container will travel to the UK after everything has been cleared. The entrance of the vessel will need to be authorised by the authorities before docking and unloading. Customs will also inspect the container before it is sent to a distribution site. The item will be prepared at the centre and shipped to the online shopper through post once it has been approved.
Even though the aforementioned example sounds straightforward, there are a lot of obstacles and choices to be made before you even start. Which documents do I need to send my goods? How can a certificate of origin be set up so that the product can enter and leave the port without being stopped? How long will it take for my goods to be delivered?
Getting started
International shipments need both an origin address and a destination address, just like domestic packages.
Unlike domestic shipments, the destination address you ship to could potentially not look anything like the address format you’re used to. Shipping to China, for instance, might not have the most obvious address, especially if it’s to a neighbourhood outside a big city. So make sure you write the address in the right format before sending your package.
One key benefit of working with a company like AFFA is that you get access to our extensive knowledge of the finest carriers for different nations. Let us handle the international delivery, and let your own shipping staff concentrate on your unique requirements.
Air or Ocean?
There are two main ways to move freight across continents: by air and by sea.
Transporting freight by sea is slower and exposes it to more heat and cold. If your freight is susceptible to changes in temperature or humidity, you may wish to discuss the best option for your goods with your global logistics provider.
Although air freight is substantially faster, the cost also rises as a result. To determine if air freight is the best delivery option for your items, it is crucial to comprehend the cost vs. benefit analysis of speed vs. cheap price.
It may make more sense to use expedited air freight for shipments when you are transporting fewer quantities of goods with bigger profit margins.
However, ocean freight can be an incredibly economical option to carry big volumes of freight when it comes to high numbers of low profit-margin goods, especially those that aren’t perishable.
Country Specificities
If you are an experienced international shipper, you probably are already aware of the fact that every country has their own unique import limits, licence requirements, and specific rules. If you are not well acquainted with the rules of the country you wish to ship to, make sure to look into it as soon as possible.
Regional specifications can easily be found online. Alternatively, email us, we will be happy to help!
Additionally, there is a list of goods that might (or might not) clearly be unable to be exported from one nation to another. These things consist of, but are not restricted to:
- Human remains
- Ammunition
- Fireworks
- Fire arms and weapons
- Dangerous substances
- Loose precious stones and materials
Some nations have more stringent standards than others.
For example, China places restrictions on the importing of radio receiving equipment, alcohol, gold, and silver products. So make sure you are fully aware and abide by the laws of the country you are sending goods to.
This kind of expertise and knowledge is why working with a global logistics company like AFFA may be beneficial.
Customs forms
When sending goods abroad, you must make sure they abide by the destination nation’s shipping regulations. Using customs forms, local customs officials can determine whether the products are permitted and determine whether any fees or taxes need to be paid.
Customs forms must be completed in full and attached to the outside of your package. You are in charge of making sure your item is packaged with a fully completed customs form. It is crucial that you fill out the paperwork correctly, since any packages with missing or incorrect customs forms will likely be returned to the sender.
To conclude
How easy is it to transport freight internationally? Well, it is a hard question. It is a process that involves a lot of steps and requires a lot of planning. If you are well-prepared, it should not be too difficult, if you have no clue about what you are doing, it might be a bit more difficult. We would advise you to get help from experienced freight professionals such as Affa. For more information, visit our website.