Earlier this question, 'How to ship a package internationally?', seemed a daunting one. But these days this following scenario has become a common practice: You browse a website, and spot the ideal handcrafted Japanese ceramic mug from a tiny shop. The next thing? You click "buy now," and within a few weeks or even days, this intricately-designed and wonderfully created mug is on your kitchen counter.
But have you ever wondered how the mag landed at your doorstep from the Japanese shop?
When you start finding answers about this 'how', you start unraveling the magic of international shipping and international freight delivery. It is a complex, fascinating process that powers global trade.
In this blog, we will break down what international shipping is and how it operates, with a few stats and stories to bring it to life. Ready to step into this ride? Let's Go!
International shipping refers to the transport of products from one nation to another. From a mug from Japan, an electronics product from Korea, to an auto part from Germany.
It is the essential cog behind the working of international trade, which, as stated by the World Trade Organization, amounted to $28.5 trillion in 2022. The numbers indicate the enormity of the number of goods that are moved from one place to the other.
From tiny ecommerce packages to huge cargo containers, global shipping is connecting businesses and consumers by bypassing the geographical and political borders.
And this gigantic process of international freight delivery requires several players to make it happen. From shippers, carriers, customs agents, to delivery services,there is an army of professionals working together to deliver your order to your doorstep.
Whether you are a business owner or simply an online shopper, learning about this process can help enhance your business and also become efficient at international shipping.
So, how exactly does that one product from a distant country land to the nearest shop in your locality? Let us break it down into bite-sized pieces.
The saga and the answer to the question, 'How to ship a package internationally?' starts with your order. The seller packages the item and, importantly, completes the paperwork.
The paperwork includes commercial invoices, packing slips, and customs forms that describe what the package contains, its worth, and where it is headed. Performing the paperwork accurately is important because errors here may result in delays or penalties.
Now that we have packaged the product and have prepared the documents, now it's for the actual voyage. But what? How will the product travel? By air, by road or by sea? This is where international parcel services come into play.
Sea shipping is the most affordable and prevalent. How prevalent? Nearly 90% of world trade by volume goes through sea shipping as per the International Maritime Organization.
But as you might have guessed it, sea shipping is slow. It can take months for a product from Japan to reach India by ocean.
The alternative? Air freight is quicker (1-2 weeks). But it comes with a price! Air freight is more expensive and hence it is suitable for valuable or time-critical items such as electronics.
Now let's come to the third option. Land transport, such as trucks or trains, is commonly utilized for intra-regional trade, such as Europe or North America. It is a cost, speed, and nature-of-item decision.
Now let's come to the complicated part. When your parcel crosses a border, it encounters customs. Officials examine the paperwork, determine taxes or duties, and verify the item is legal under local legislation.
Different countries will have different regulations and import duties based on their specific interests. For example, some countries will have higher import duties on ceramics to protect the interest of their domestic industries.
Plus some errors can cause delays. In fact, custom delays are quite common. About 30% of international shipments face them as per a 2023 logistics report.
Once the product clears the customs stage, it is set for the "last mile delivery"—the final stretch to your doorstep. Most often this process is done by local postal carriers, couriers, or even a guy on a scooter.
Sounds easy? Hang on! There are difficult-to-reach addresses or high-volume holiday periods that can delay the delivery of the parcel.
You might have encountered a situation where you see the message of "out for delivery" on the tracker, but your parcel never arrives! This is exactly the last-mile problem. To counter this issue, logistics operators are becoming cleverer. They are using AI to optimize routes and reduce delivery times.
International parcel services aren't always smooth. Customs, weather, and port delays can be a massive hurdle in the works. Plus there is the hanging sword of costs as fuel and tariffs can send costs skyrocketing.
And amidst all this, we cannot forget the planet! Shipping is responsible for approximately 3% of global CO2 emissions, according to the International Maritime Organization.
With automation, including robotic warehouse pickers and eclectic cargo ships, there is a definite push to decrease the emissions.
If you are in business that requires international shipping, then choosing the right international shipping carrier is pertinent.
But how do you make that decision? Here are a few pointers to consider:
Areas Served
Not all international carriers have similar reach. Some companies serve specific regions while some have global presence. Check the company's presence in the region where you wish to deliver your package and make a decision based on it.
Costs for international shipping
This is a decisive factor. Check out the various shipping packages offered by the carrier. Also, check for any extra fees such as handling, insurance or customs. A reliable carrier will never have hidden costs. And a reliable carrier will also offer one of the cheapest international shipping services.
Transit time
No one likes delays. So its important to know beforehand the time taken to deliver the parcel on-time.
The Reputation
Reputation is built on consistency of success. The more the carrier is consistent in offering successful deliveries, the better the reputation. So it's always safer to choose a reputed carrier.
Tracking tools and other features
The service and convenience matters a lot. The ideal carrier should have an automated tracking system, customer support and other features.
Atlantic International Express is a well-known international shipping partner. We offer customised services at affordable rates and international delivery from India. We make international shipping a smooth process through our benchmark-setting features and process. Contact us today to know how to ship a package internationally at affordable rates and experience cost-effective solutions for all your international shipping needs!
International shipping is the process of transporting goods across national borders. It connects businesses and consumers worldwide, allowing products from across the world to reach your doorstep.
Order and documentation, choosing transport mode (sea/air/land), customs clearance, and last-mile delivery are the main four steps.
Sea shipping is cost-effective but slow, taking weeks or months. Air freight is faster (1-2 weeks) but more expensive, ideal for time-sensitive or high-value items. Land transport (trucks or trains) is used for intra-regional trade and balances cost and speed.
Customs delays (30% of shipments), high costs, and environmental impact (3% global CO2) are some of the important challenges.
You should check service areas, costs, transit times, reputation, and features like tracking.
Atlantic International Express provides customized, cost-effective international shipping solutions with reliable delivery from India. With benchmark-setting features like automated tracking and excellent customer support, we ensure a smooth process. Contact us to explore affordable options for your shipping needs!
