Businesses who are preparing to expand in international markets review shipping opportunities. It is recommended that businesses create a plan for shipments and evaluate shipping providers. When expanding overseas, too often business owners make mistakes that prove costly. Companies that want to dabble in international shipping read about 6 pitfalls to watch out for when shipping overseas.
- Failing to Package the Items Properly
Failing to package the items properly leads to unwanted delays and possible damage. Too often businesses use standard packaging for product shipments. This presents issues when items are shipped overseas and pass through several service providers before arriving at the destination. Larger items that require additional protection are ideal choices for Shipping crates. Service providers come to the company’s location and custom builds the crates around the items. Crating prevents the items from shifting and becoming damaged during the shipment.
- Not Knowing Customs Regulations
Businesses that don’t understand customs regulations make serious mistakes. In some regions where certain products are illegal, the company faces potential criminal charges for sending the items into the country. Completing customs forms incorrectly leads to seizure of the item, and some countries won’t send the items back to the company. This creates problems for businesses and might lead to dissatisfied customers and a reduction in sales.
- Mislabeling the Packages
Mislabeling the packages presents a serious issue for businesses, and the packages won’t arrive on time. A practice to lower the risk of mislabeling is to first double-check the address entered by the customer. Next, it is best to double-check the zip code and any extensions added to it. Mismanagement of labels creates issues, and customers are less likely to buy more products in the future if there are shipping issues. If the product doesn’t arrive on time, the customer is more likely to demand a refund, and the company loses a sale.
- Failing to Stay Educated About Shipping Changes
Failing to stay educated about international shipping changes is a major problem for any business that wants to expand into overseas markets. Each of the changes is implemented as new packages are sent to customers. If changes in the laws occur, the business owner is required to follow the new regulations for shipping items into the customer’s country. A failure to comply leads to customs issues, and it is again possible that the customer won’t receive the package.
- Selecting the Incorrect Shipping Provider
Selecting the incorrect shipping provider makes sending products to customers difficult. Company owners review the most recent updates about their preferred shipping providers. It is recommended that all businesses review what areas are including in the shipping services. An alternative option helps businesses have a backup when needed to manage shipping in specific countries or geographical regions.
- Trusting Just Anyone With the Shipping Services
Trusting just anyone with the shipping services is a major faux pas for any business owner. If the owner chooses to use a drop-shipping company, it’s paramount for the business owner to check the credentials of any shipping providers they use. Failing to do their homework leads businesses down the road to inferior shipping services.
Business owners break into international markets and find great success if they follow a careful plan. The plan includes dedicated shipping services that take out the guesswork and prevent prevailing mistakes. Learning about common mistakes and issues helps business owners find better success overseas.
