The international shipping process has faced a number of disruptions in recent years, with political issues affecting the ease of moving goods around the world. But just because shipping products overseas is a little more difficult doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
Small businesses can maintain streamlined global shipping and build a multinational brand by using smart logistics to make the process simpler.
Optimize your global operations with these tips for efficient overseas deliveries.
Understanding Difficulties
Before you consider how to optimize global shipping for small business, it’s a good idea to address the current situations that make shipping overseas more difficult.
This is not necessary, but it can help you plan for the disruption and better inform your customers of the reasons they may experience later shipments.
One of the most important issues concerns the red sea, where the turbulence is causing shipping companies to avoid the Suez Canal and take longer routes to their destination. This can lead to delays of up to 14 days.
Problems also exist throughout the panama canalaffecting delivery speeds both within and outside the US West Coast and Latin American West Coast.
There are strikes at the ports, rising fuel costs and ongoing Russia-Ukraine waralso, all of these affect shipping.
Although it is a somewhat turbulent period for deliveries, it should not prevent small businesses from expanding their market to other countries. Instead, we recommend looking for ways you can optimize global shipments by taking into account current events, making deliveries around the world smoother.
Streamlining the international shipping process
Logistics are a key part of successful global deliveries, and the better you plan, the more efficient your shipments will be. Get started with these top tips.
Setting up global payment systems
If you are going to expand into the global market, it is important to establish a payment system for international deliveries. For small businesses that already use a card reader, check if your device is connected to an online account that accepts global digital payments. This will ensure that all overseas transactions are tracked alongside personal payments for simple cash flow management.
It is also vital to charge your customers accurately for global delivery to avoid losing money. Before setting costs, make sure you get quotes from suppliers and have a good understanding of import and export fees. There are also tools available that will automatically calculate shipping costs based on the customer’s location, making it easy to create accurate charges.
Familiarize yourself with International Shipping Laws
The international shipping process is based on rules and regulations, making it important for your small business to keep up with compliance. This can be time consuming, but it will make your deliveries much smoother and more likely to reach the customer without a problem.
Be aware of the import rules for any countries you ship to. Most governments will have a detailed guide to their shipping laws, such as UK guidelineswhich state the steps you need to take to avoid seizure of your goods.
If you are having trouble understanding the rules, talk to a government official or counselor. They will be able to review your plans and guide you on ways to improve compliance for effective missions.
Automate compliance, documentation and reporting
There is a lot of paperwork when shipping internationally. Fortunately, however, your small business can take advantage of advanced digital tools to automate many of the laborious processes.
Automation software is available for compliance, making it easy to arrange the correct classifications for your products and comply with global regulations. You can also use automated software to properly populate documentation and reports by entering relevant information based on data already in your systems.
According to his research Deloitte, almost all global trade professionals used a global trade management tool to streamline cross-border operations. As more and more industries turn to digitization, it’s smart to switch paper-based operations to high-tech software to keep up with your competitors.
Find a reliable shipping company
Choosing a reliable, trustworthy shipping company to deliver your goods will make all the difference in your logistics. They will offer services that go beyond transporting packages from A to B, including:
- Informing you of delays and maintaining good communication
- Handle your goods with care
- Answering your questions about compliance and delivery
- Offering excellent customer service
- Dealing with lost parcels quickly and efficiently
Find a shipping company that helps rather than hinders your efficiency will also have many positive benefits for your business, from improving customer satisfaction to increasing engagement among your audience. It will also affect your brand image, making it worth searching for.
Plan for delays
A shipping company that is currently reporting no problems or delays is a red flag. These are difficult times for international shipping and some of your deliveries will likely be delayed on their way to your customers. But by preparing in advance, you reduce the impact they will have on your business.
Smart logistics is proactive, and planning a schedule that avoids bad weather, political events, and seasonal delays is a great way to keep your shipments on time. For example, if you ship on Christmas, expect slower deliveries and higher demand by shipping earlier.
However, even with excellent logistics, you can experience delays. That’s why it’s important to have a good line of communication with your supplier. A reliable company will inform you of any changes in the estimated time of arrival (ETA) quickly and explain why they happened.
As soon as your small business experiences a delay, let customers know. Send an email letting them know their shipment will be delayed, along with any additional information, including the reason for the delay. Be sure to let them know the new ETA, too, and offer them an apology gift if necessary – like a discount at their next store – to boost your brand image.
Manage customer expectations
Promoting your global shipping as fast and reliable can be tempting, but if there are delays, this will only end up hurting your credibility.
Instead of leading with the ideal situation, manage customer expectations by being honest. People would rather know that their package is likely to be delayed and a realistic delivery time is much better than the frustration of a delayed shipment. Give your ETA some space and you’ll have happier, more loyal customers.
It’s also a good idea to include some information on your website about why worldwide shipping may experience delays. This keeps your customers informed, shows that you take delivery logistics seriously, and builds credibility for your small business.
Enable product tracking
A great way to keep both your business and your customers informed about global shipments is tracking. Many international freight forwarders will offer an option for tracked deliveries, giving you real-time information on where the product is and when it will be delivered.
This transparency improves the customer experience and assures them that their delivery is on its way, with 90% of people who actively want to track quests. It is likely to strengthen their view of your brand as you prioritize their knowledge of the delivery over the potential savings from untracked deliveries.
Final thoughts
The international shipping process is not always easy to navigate, as regulations, compliance and delays make global business deliveries a lot of work. But when you have the logistics right, reaching customers around the world becomes much easier.
To stay on top of global shipping news or learn more about logistics, be sure to follow World Trade.
Author biography
Harvey Holloway is a digital marketing specialist with a 1st class honors degree in Digital Media Design. Harvey is now looking to connect with leading publications and share his experience with a wider audience. Connect with Harvey on Twitter: @HarveyTweetsSEO.
