How To Ship Products To Customers Globally

You may have wondered how online retailers conveniently ship their products to customers across the globe. This in itself is a complex process, having some associated challenges from its packaging to shipping proper.  To minimize these risks, business owners need to choose the right shipping carrier and understand customs regulations.

In this post, we discuss the importance of effective shipping, the best means of shipping products to every location, and how to ensure a more client-centric shipping experience. 

The Problem of Products Shipping

Many business owners invest heavily in customer satisfaction. They tick all the essential boxes from product packaging to eventual dispatch. However, there is often a real struggle. The shipping process is a lot crucial aspect of product delivery which can ruin a perfect packaging if done poorly. 

It has been published that even with the utmost care in product packaging, there’s a significant risk of damage during transportation due to various factors. 

These factors can include:

1. Poor Logistics Handling: During shipping, goods in transit are often inspected, transferred, or stored temporarily. At each point, packages often get subjected to heavy impacts or gross mishandling by the handlers. Depending on the kind of packaging and degree of impact, these products may get damaged.
2. Effect of Temperature and Moisture: When products are exposed to moisture, they can have a rut or mold. In addition, temperature-sensitive products can degrade or become ineffective if exposed to highly extreme temperatures. In some cases, certain medications may lose potency when stored above a specific temperature, while perishable food items can spoil if not kept refrigerated. 
3. Physical Vibration: During transport, equipment or products with moving parts may loosen and fall off. This can eventually break the products or lead to several missing parts.
4. Theft and Vandalization: During transit, packages may be pilfered or stolen. Poorly packaged products give room for easier access to theft. This results in the loss of products or parts, and a breach of customer trust.
5. Incorrect Labeling and Addressing: Some of the reportedly missing products from shipping may be a result of incorrect labeling. These are errors that could potentially delay the shipment of a product or its eventual confiscation due to claim failures after a long time.
6. Carrier-Influenced Delays: Carrier-related issues can contribute to shipment delays. Some shipping companies take unnecessarily longer time to ship products. Some may have very poor operating techniques that fail to adequately secure customer products.

Factors to Consider When Shipping Products

Shipping risks can hinder a smooth customer experience. To mitigate them, it is necessary to inculcate effective shipping practices and choose carriers with more reliable services.

Packaging

1. Choice of Materials: More durable materials like sturdy boxes, wraps, and cushioning materials tend to reduce physical impacts on products during transit.
2. Size: Packages ought to fit their packaging materials to minimize excessive movement.
3. Labeling: Label packages appropriately with the recipient’s address, your return address, and any necessary customs information. This aids overall identification and collection procedures. 

Shipping Method

1. Speed: This should align with your customer’s urgent needs and the nature of the products. Highly perishable goods must not be shipped through routes with longer arrival days.
2. Route: Consider distance and product sensitivity. Select a shipping route that balances speed and cost while considering the distance to the destination and the sensitivity of your products. 

Air freight is generally faster but more expensive, while sea freight is slower but more cost-effective for large shipments. 

Fees

1. Shipping Costs: Compare the shipping rates from different carriers to find the most cost-effective options.
2. Additional Fees: Do thorough research on potential additional fees, such as customs duties, taxes, or surcharges for oversized or heavy packages.

Carrier Policies

1. Insurance: Check if the carrier offers insurance options to protect your products against loss or damage during transit.
2. Delivery Times: Find out the carrier’s estimated delivery times and any potential service disruptions.
3. Return Policies: Familiarizing yourself with the carrier’s return policies informs your decision in case of mishandling, theft, or customer dissatisfaction.

Tracking Protocols

1. Real-time Tracking: Enable tracking tools to monitor the progress of your shipments and provide updates to customers.
2. Proactive Communication: Keep customers informed about dispatch status, any delays, or expected delivery dates. 

By considering these common issues proactively, you can enhance customer satisfaction and minimize losses due to shipping-related problems.

How to Choose the Right Shipping Carrier

Before using any carrier service to ship products to customers, consider the total cost, speed, and coverage area. Some carriers may not be available in certain regions, as such it’s necessary to confirm these details before sending a product out for shipment. 

Here are some popular international shipping carriers used globally to ship products:

• FedEx: Highly reliable and known for quick delivery.
• UPS: They have a wide area coverage. 
• DHL: Provides global shipping services and domestic shipments.
• USPS: Usually more affordable. Offers affordable shipping options, especially for local shipments.

Why is Customs Clearance Important for Shipping Products?

Customs clearance is an important process in the shipping process. Here, officers of the customs and border services will inspect every imported goods before they are cleared and allowed into the country. 

It equally involves the paying of customs duties and taxes, providing necessary documentation, and complying with import regulations. As a business owner, especially retail sales, consider using a customs broker to navigate these complexities. The customs broker helps business owners with bulk documentation, handling paperwork and finally getting the goods cleared.

3 Tips for Optimizing Shipping Costs for Small Businesses 

• Consolidate shipments: Dispatch multiple small shipments into larger ones to reduce costs.
• Negotiate rates: If you ship frequently, negotiate discounts with shipping carriers.
• Avoid Shipping Prohibited Goods: This leads to confiscation and loss of money. 

Conclusion

Shipping products globally in 2024 should not be as difficult as it used to be. With more advanced tools for real-time tracking, inspection, and processing, it can be a smooth experience.  By choosing the right shipping carrier, packaging your products securely, weighing costs, and understanding customs clearance, you can ensure your products reach your customers on time and in good condition.

By following these guidelines, you can establish a reliable and efficient global shipping process for your online business. 

No matter your geographical location, trust Luxuire for a properly sourced and fast delivery of Nigerian foodstuff. Click here to go shopping!