Being a successful company that deals with global shipping in today’s day and age is proving to be ever-growing more difficult. You need to comply with customs regulations, industry practices and choose the right transportation options. However, doing that can be overwhelming, to say the least. Given the fact of the daily, ever-changing circumstances. In the hopes of smoother sails, we’ve drafted this guide with the best practices of global shipping. So, with that in mind, let’s show you exactly what you need to do to thrive in today’s industry.
EasyMoveKuwait is a professional moving company situated in Kuwait. We offer effortless stress-free relocation experiences. However, during our years of working international relocations, we’ve seen more than a few trends in global shipping that we’d like to share with you today.
Make a plan.
If you want to succeed in this market the most important thing is to have a strategy – a plan. However, we understand that planning for something like global shipping can be difficult. In fact, there are a lot of things you need to take into account. From different shipment regulations from countries that you need to adhere to, to the very minute details such as making sure you’ve packed the goods correctly. All that costs resources. And most importantly money. However, if you have a well-developed plan that offers a bird-eye-view of your international shipping, this certainly is not the case. Moreover, it can help your business not just meet international regulations, but also lower the costs, and optimize the process of the supply chain.
We recommend you invest your time and resources in developing a well-oiled vendor management program. Namely, we suggest that you set up some sort of billing software that will allow you to resolve purchase orders quickly and efficiently. For example, if you are shipping from Kuwait to Dubai you can use some sort of software that will process the clients’ order, calculate the dates for cargo to be picked up, and continues to verify as the delivery dates approach.
Best practices of global shipping: What type of shipping option should I choose from?
There are a lot of different ways to ship belongings globally. Each of these has its benefits, but it also has drawbacks, as well. For example, if your cargo is shipping from Kuwait to USA then you might think about ocean shipping. However, ocean shipping is not as fast as air freight shipping. But on the other hand, transporting goods by plane is expensive. At the end of the day, we recommend reading the following points to get a firmer understand of which mode of transportation you should choose.
1. Airfreight
There are two main benefits of shipping by air. Reliability and speed. However, as we’ve already mentioned this is not a budget-friendly option. If you want some more affordable alternatives we wholeheartedly recommend going with ocean shipping. Although, there is no denying it if you need something shipped – air freight is the way to go. It’s the fastest, most reliable way to get your goods from point A to point B in the shortest time possible.
When choosing to ship by air there are three types of freights you can choose from:
- Consolidated. This type of shipping combines your goods, with cargo from other shippers. That way you only pay for the space you need. It’s one of the cheapest ways to ship by air. However, the drawback of using this type of transportation is the fixed schedules consolidated flights take place. You really must have a well-wrinkled-out plan, and have your timelines planned accordingly.
- Deferred. This method is the biggest bang for your buck. If you opt for this method your goods will be shipped once planes with extra space pop up. The drawback of this is that you sometimes have to wait for days on end until you manage to get your goods packed up and shipped. This can be a very good option if your delivery is not on a tight schedule, and you want to reduce freight costs.
- Next flight out. If you need to ship your goods ASAP then this is the best option for you. As the name implies, if you opt for this option your belongings will be shipped by the next available flight. While this might sound awesome, the biggest drawback is the premium price associated with this type of transportation.
2. Ocean shipping
We recommend that you combine different types of air freight options, as well as ocean shipping to not just cut costs, but also boost your expediency in delivery.
With that in mind, ocean shipping is one of the most cost-effective ways to ship goods. However, the downside can be the lack of speed and potential unreliability. Unfortunately, ocean shipping can be quite dependent on the weather, and other factors (i.e. the Suez Canal Obstruction)
Best practices of global shipping: be customs compliant.
Last, but by no means least, we always implore you to do your research and be custom compliant. Listen, we understand – trade regulations change on a daily basis. And it can be quite hard to keep track sometimes. However, it’s of tantamount importance that you be in the loop as far as custom protocols go. We found that the following practices to be key:
- Always make sure you have all of your documentation set up accordingly. If you are unsure, contact customs and ask what paperwork needs to be presented.
- Hire professionals. The best way to stay on top of your duties, among others – taxes, bonds, and ISF filings, we recommend you hire professional help. There are a lot of compliance-focused brokers out there that can help you do all those complicated procedures. Trust us, while it might seem like a waste of money, it’s a great way to increase productivity in your global shipping.
- Be wary of fines. We always implore people to do their due diligence and get to know the common custom compliance fines. Things link improper classification, misunderstandings of free trade agreements, etc. These are easily avoidable, and only cause an unnecessary dent in your capital. This is one of the most overlooked parts, but we truly think it’s one of the best practices of global shipping you should adhere to.