International shipping is the process of exporting and importing products across the air, ocean, and land. When you ship internationally, you have to be aware of the regulations in other countries and packaging requirements. This process requires completed customs forms, additional labels, and tracking numbers. International shipping is not difficult, as the shipments can be documented and digitally tracked. According to the rules of global air freight, you will need to be aware of important aspects of cross-border regulations to prevent delays.
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Know Customs Regulations
Customs administrators check any inbound international mail and packages. The packages are reviewed so the customs team is sure the shipments are conforming to the country’s laws. There may also be taxes that are required for the package to be delivered. You will have to fill out a form regarding the details of the packages that mention what they contain. Every country’s customs operations has its policies that you must follow. Otherwise, they will send the package back to its origin.
Pay Attention to Declaration Forms
You will want to fill out the custom declaration form so that it includes all the details of the goods you are shipping. For example, the weight, dimensions, the sender and receiver, and the date sent should be on the package. Make sure these details are clear and factual so that the package is not flagged.
List the Contents of the Package
The customs administration will want to know if there are any alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, animals, plant material, soil, fresh food, meats, seeds, and other sensitive goods. Potentially hazardous products such as batteries, aerosols, perfumes, and other flammable products should be listed. This allows the country to control the type of products that enter their country and is a barrier of protection. The country manages the environment, economy, and safety of the country by preventing any invasive animals and plants from entering without regulation. They also make sure that illicit drugs aren’t being trafficked over the country’s borders. The country expects you to pay a customs duty tax on your shipments; however, some products don’t require this and may be allowed to ship for free. This is all dependent on the country’s specific laws.
Double Check Packaging
You will want to pick strong boxes for more fragile items to prevent goods from arriving cracked or broken. Boxes with double walls are very firm and can keep shipments well protected even when they are thrown around. Wrap individual items in bubble wrap or stiff wrapping paper so when items jostle around they don’t damage each other. Always add additional tape to prevent the box from opening when it’s being lifted.
Pay the Taxes and Tariffs
The customs office will want to calculate taxes for the category of the shipment, the region of origin, the destination country’s tariff rates, any trade treaty tariffs, and the product’s declared value. These costs are in addition to the shipping costs. Check the national HTS code page to find out the product category code of your shipment to determine the taxes.
Additional Tips for International Deliveries
Shipping international can seem like a complicated process, but it is highly organized and maintained by a network of organizations. When in doubt, you can always contact an experienced shipping expert who can provide you with additional information on how to circumvent common shipping errors.
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