Is international e-commerce shipping complicated? It can be. Does it have to be? No. Any e-commerce operator can learn all the tips and tricks that make shipping internationally as easy as any other aspect of doing business. It all starts with finding the right international shipping partner.
As a DHL Express reseller, we highly recommend DHL’s International Export Express service. You get reliable door-to-door delivery, competitive rates, and so much more – all backed by one of the world’s leading international shippers.
While you think about that, here are five ways small businesses can make international shipping easier:
1. Open a DHL Express Account
As long as we’re talking about DHL, opening a DHL Express account gives you access to a lot. You get a range of import and export tools that streamline international shipping. You also get preferred rates, shipping supplies, and unparalleled support.
2. Learn About Goods Classification
All exported and imported goods are classified by category and subcategory for tariff purposes. Here in the States, we utilize the Harmonized Tariff Schedule U.S. (HTSUS) to classify goods for export. In addition, goods are sometimes classified utilizing the Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) or Schedule B systems.
All of this is to say that international shipping is easier if you know how to classify your goods. If you run a typical e-commerce operation, things shouldn’t be too complicated for you. Just remember that education is the key. The more you know about goods classification, the less likely your international shipments will be subject to border delays.
3. Learn About the Necessary Documentation
In addition to classifying goods, exporting also requires completing a certain amount of documentation. Your shipper should be able help you in that regard. Still, it is in your best interests to learn about the documentation and the information it calls for.
It is important to realize that customs officials the world over look very closely at documentation. They scrutinize imports and exports diligently. That means your documentation needs to be accurate every single time. Make a point to learn about:
- commercial invoices
- electronic export information (EEI)
- certificates of origin
- special case documents.
Most international shippers and their authorized resellers know all the ins and outs of documentation. You can always ask.
4. Make Use of Online Tools
One of the main advantages of DHL Express is having access to a range of online tools when you have a registered account. Doing things online increases efficiency by avoiding phone calls and direct visits to a DHL reseller.
As with anything else, online tools come with a learning curve. But once you figure out how to use them to your advantage, they streamline international shipping considerably. From gathering quotes to tracking packages, doing things online makes the entire process much easier.
5. Get Quotes in Advance of Shipping
International e-commerce shipping is generally time sensitive, at least from the customer’s point of view. Your customers want their packages as quickly as possible. That said, it is easier to manage expectations if you get rate and transit time quotes from your shipper in advance.
Find out what it takes to get a package from your location to its destination. You can pass that information along to customers so that they know exactly what to expect.
Have you found e-commerce international shipping so complicated that it keeps you awake at night? If so, just know that it doesn’t have to be that way. Implement the tips from this post – particularly the first tip – and you should discover that international shipping can be a lot easier.
