It is becoming more and more common for businesses to open additional offices worldwide and much of this process will be relatively straightforward. However, certain aspects, such as shipping essentials abroad, can be slightly more complex. Getting your products safely to your new location is incredibly important and time and care need to be put into the organisation of this process.
With knowledge of the most common international shipping mistakes, you can avoid them as you expand your current local business to overseas markets. Blackthorne has put together a list of the risks of shipping abroad and how you can avoid them.
Lost or damaged items
Many of the items required for setting up your new office abroad can be purchased and delivered straight to the premises. However, there will nearly always be the need for some things to be shipped, these items are usually the most important items too.
Take your IT equipment and hardware, for example, these will be invaluable to your business and it is essential that they get from A to B safely. It isn’t uncommon when shipping items for them to get lost or damaged so ensure you do your research when choosing a carrier or freight forwarder.
Incorrect documents
In order to successfully move your goods internationally and follow all regulations, you need to understand exactly what documentation is needed. Businesses that have no experience in shipping documentation can easily be overwhelmed by the amount that is required.
If your shipping documents are unclear or inaccurate it isn’t uncommon for your items to be significantly delayed, costing you time and money. There are experts out there that can help you in regard to documentation for your technology export so if you’re unsure seek assistance from a professional company.
Unexpected costs and fees
There is no denying that shipping abroad can be incredibly expensive. Even after you think you have covered all costs, you may be stung with unexpected costs and taxes if you haven’t ensured your items are sent correctly.
Working alongside a professional Importer of Record (IOR) is a good way to prevent these unexpected costs. As equipment importers, it is their job to manage your entire transportation. They will take care of the payment of all taxes, duties, fees and certification costs as well as keep detailed documentation which is then stored for a period required by law.
No legal representation in the importing country
Importing and exporting requires your company to have an established business, or another type of legal entity, in the country of import/export to act as the government-required responsible party in conducting the export or import transactions. Without this, you won’t be able to ship the items you require.
For many companies who don’t have a physical presence in the country of import, establishing legal representation can be a time-consuming and expensive process. Thankfully, there are now various companies that can provide your business with legal entity representation in numerous countries. So, make sure you are working alongside them before you try to ship items.
Getting stuck at customs
One of the most common and equally most frustrating things about shipping items abroad is when they get stuck at customs. There are various customs regulations that can affect your shipment and lead to additional complications if not abided by.
You can avoid your items getting stuck when you choose to work with freight specialists. As experts in this field, they will ensure that you comply with all necessary import and export regulations and ensure that your goods are properly classified and certified. With their help, your global shipments will benefit from a simplified customs clearance process.
How Blackthorne can help
All in all, unless you are incredibly experienced in shipping items abroad it can be quite a complicated procedure with lots of risks involved. Shipping specific items, that you will more than likely require, such as IT equipment, abroad can be an extremely complex process with hardware being highly regulated, which is why you need to use an experienced IOR.
In order to prevent any bad situations from occurring, you can work with Blackthorne who can provide you with an experienced IOR. We will oversee taking care of all the legal obligations enforced by the destination country’s customs when importing goods. You can trust that the IOR services we supply will make your international shipping swift, smooth and secure.
