- Tips to Choose the Best International Courier Service
- Guidelines and Regulations of International Courier Services
- Consideration for Preparing Courier Shipments
- Understanding Chargeable Weight in International Courier Services
- Types of Weights and Their Applications in International Couriers
- Optimising Packing for International Courier Shipments
- Fulfill your International Shipping Needs With ShiprocketX
- Conclusion
International courier services play a crucial role in today’s globalised economy, enabling businesses and individuals to send and receive goods across borders with ease. However, navigating the complexities of international shipping can be daunting due to the multitude of regulations, documentation requirements, and logistical considerations involved. Understanding the guidelines and requirements for international courier services is essential for ensuring timely and efficient delivery, minimising delays, and avoiding additional costs.
This blog will explore the guidelines and requirements for international courier services, including chargeable weight, how to optimise packaging for international shipping, tips for choosing the right courier service to meet your needs, and more.
Tips to Choose the Best International Courier Service
Let’s look at some tips that can help you choose the best international courier service.
- Proven Track Record and Reputation
Look for a courier service with a proven track record for efficient and reliable international shipping services. You can read customer reviews and testimonials online to gauge their performance. It can help you analyse their experience and expertise in handling international shipments.
- Network Coverage and Destinations
It’s always essential to check the destinations an international courier service covers. You should also check their network coverage. Make sure they offer transport options that are relevant to your target locations. It can help you ensure timely deliveries.
- Shipping Cost
Another important factor you should consider is the international shipping cost. Analyse hidden expenses, compare costs and estimate overall expenses of international courier services. You can ask for quotes from multiple courier services. Compare them and see what fits your budget without compromising the quality of services to get the best deal.
- Delivery Speed and Time
These are the most important factors you should consider when selecting an international courier service. Delivery speed and time are of great importance, especially when it comes to international shipments. You should look for an international courier service that can meet your delivery timelines. Different courier services have different transit times. Some may offer same-day delivery or next-day delivery, while others may offer delivery within 48 hours. Some may even charge you higher for completing deliveries quickly. You may have to find a balance between your delivery timelines and cost.
- Customer Support Service
A reliable international courier service is one that’s easily reachable for any query. Their customer support team should be able to resolve any queries promptly and effectively. Regardless of whether they have human customer support or AI-enabled services, look for an international courier service that ensures 24*7 customer support.
- Insurance Benefits
Insurance is essential to prevent any financial losses arising from damage to and theft of the shipment. Look for an international courier service that offers comprehensive insurance coverage for shipments.
- Additional Services
Before selecting an international courier service, enquire whether they offer any additional services. If yes, how much do they charge for it? You may want to choose a courier service that offers more than just international shipping. Some additional services you should factor in include packaging, logistics, warehousing, labelling services, etc.
- Transportation Methods
Ask about the different transportation methods an international courier service uses. Make sure you verify their infrastructure as well. These include their fulfillment centers, warehouses, etc. You must also confirm how they handle the final stages of delivery.
- Expertise in Customs Clearance and Documentation
Customs and documentation are essential aspects of international shipping. Choose an international courier service with extensive knowledge about import and export regulations, taxes, duties, required paperwork, and more. An international courier service with expertise in customs clearance can ensure quick processing and timely deliveries.
- Prohibited and Restricted Items
Most international courier services will have a list of items that are either restricted or prohibited from international shipping. You should also confirm if there are any restrictions on materials, size, weight, etc. Lastly, you should also confirm if there are any country-specific restrictions and limitations that would impact your international shipments.
Guidelines and Regulations of International Courier Services
Here are some guidelines and regulations for international courier services.
- Courier Weight
The shipping price will greatly depend on the weight of your courier package. The volumetric weight of the package is decided by the size of the courier package. Volumetric weight is also known as dimensional weight. It is a calculation that estimates how much space your package takes up. It’s used to determine the cost of shipping.
To calculate the volumetric weight of your parcel, you must multiply the height, length, and width of the package in centimetres (cm). Then divide it by 5000 (or 4000, depending on the carrier). Compare the volumetric weight of the package with its actual physical weight. The shipping cost will depend on whichever is higher out of the volumetric and physical weight. Since most shipping companies use the volumetric weight as the chargeable weight for international shipments, you can pack your parcel in a way that compresses its size. It’ll prevent you from spending more on shipping.
- Clearance
Customs clearance is a process every parcel must undergo once it arrives in the importing country. There are several steps involved in the customs clearance process for international couriers, including checking paperwork, determining and paying duties and taxes, etc. Once the process is complete, your shipment is free to move to its final destination.
Since customs clearance is an important procedure that internal shipments must undergo before they’re exported and imported, it involves the customs clearance authorities inspecting, approving, and releasing the goods. This is done once they have ensured they comply with the laws and regulations of the importing country.
- Prohibited Items
Many items are prohibited from international shipping due to health, safety, and trade embargo concerns. Depending on the international courier service you choose, make sure the item you’re sending is not on their list of prohibited items. However, the list of items prohibited from international shipping can also vary from one country to another. Here are some items most commonly prohibited from international shipping:
- Animal products: Live animals, animal parts, animal skin, fur, and animal organs.
- Dangerous goods: Explosives, flammable liquids, toxic and infectious substances, corrosives, and other miscellaneous items. This includes many everyday items like lithium batteries, cleaning fluids, and perfume.
- Firearms and weapons: Firearms, ammunition, swords, knives, and replicas or imitations.
- Illegal substances: Narcotics, illegal drugs, and controlled substances.
- Other prohibited items: Currency, precious metals, counterfeit goods, perishable items, and more.
Consideration for Preparing Courier Shipments
Early preparation of courier shipments can help you prevent any last-minute hassle. Preparing your shipments in advance can also help you prevent any last-minute delays, incomplete and incorrect documentation, and unforeseen shipping restrictions. If you want to ensure a smooth international shipping process, prepare early to avoid any potential problems. Here are some points you should keep in mind when preparing your courier shipments.
- Research and Understand Courier Services
You should start by researching and understanding the different international courier services available. It can help you determine the one that best fits your requirements. As discussed above, you should consider different factors like delivery times, shipping costs, customer service, network coverage area, reliability, and more. It’ll help you make a better decision. This way the international courier service you choose will meet your shipping requirements and fit your budget.
- Acquainting Yourself with the Service
Next, you should familiarise yourself with the international courier service you plan on using. It means you must understand their policies, tracking functionalities, service options, insurance benefits, and more. Regardless of how big or small these details are, it can help you streamline the international shipping service. Eventually, you can enhance your customer’s expectations by ensuring the safety of the shipments and providing accurate delivery timelines.
- Check Shipping Charges Online
It goes without saying that you must compare the shipping charges different international courier services are charging. The purpose? To find the best rates that fit your budget. Most international courier services have a calculator online on their website to help you estimate the shipping charges. You’ll be required to enter the dimensions and weight of the package and the destination. It’s important because it can help you avoid any unnecessary and unexpected costs and budget properly. Understanding the cost structure can help you create a balance between the cost and service quality.
Understanding Chargeable Weight in International Courier Services
A shipping carrier always looks at two different measurements – the actual physical weight and the volumetric weight of your shipment. The chargeable weight is based on their calculation of whichever is greater out of the two.
The actual, gross, or total physical weight of your shipment will also include any packaging and pallets. In simple terms, it is the entire weight of the shipment. It’s usually expressed in kilograms (Kg).
The dimensional or volumetric weight of your shipment, on the other hand, is the volume of your cargo. Though it’s usually expressed in kilograms, a density ratio can also be applied depending on the dimensions of your shipment. You must also remember to include all the packages. The density ratio applied to your shipment will depend on the mode of transportation you have selected.
- Air freight: 1:6 density ratio
- Ocean freight: 1:1 density ratio
Carriers may impose different density ratios from time to time. This will impact the volumetric weight of your shipment.
Types of Weights and Their Applications in International Couriers
Let’s look at the different types of weight and their applications in international shipping.
| Parameters | Net weight | Gross weight |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Net weight is the total weight of the goods only without including the weight of packaging or other external factors that may influence its weight. | Gross weight, on the other hand, refers to the total weight of the goods. This includes any immediate packaging and additional packaging that may be required during transportation. |
| Formula | Net Weight = Total Weight – Tare Weight | Gross weight = Net Weight + Tare Weight + Container Weight (if applicable) |
| Expressed in units | Kilograms or pounds | Metric tons |
| Tare weight | It does not include tare weight | It includes tare weight |
| What does it determine? | It determines the weight of the consignment before packaging. | It determines the total weight of the consignment. |
| Constancy of the calculation method | The method for calculating net weight remains the same in all cases. | The calculation method may differ based on the transportation method. |
Optimising Packing for International Courier Shipments
Here are some tips to optimise international courier shipments packaging:
- You must choose the right boxes for international shipping. Corrugated boxes have emerged as the preferred choice for packaging shipments for international shipping.
- You must use protective packaging fillers and materials to ensure the goods reach their destination without being damaged. Make sure you don’t compromise on the quality of materials you’re using for packaging.
- Seal your package securely to reinforce the safety of goods during international shipping.
- Label your package correctly with recipient details clearly mentioned. You must also mention a return address on the package.
- Carefully understand customs clearance to avoid any delays.
Read our blog for more information on Top Tips for Secure International Shipment Packaging & Packaging Guidelines for International Courier/Shipping Services
Fulfill your International Shipping Needs With ShiprocketX
ShiprocketX offers end-to-end cross-border solutions to simplify the international shipping process. With an extensive network coverage of over 220 locations across the globe, you can grow your business beyond borders with the easiest online platform to ship internationally. ShiprocketX offers special features that ensure easy and quick international shipping. These include:
- Multiple shipping methods
- Quick and hassle-free customs clearance
- Timely international deliveries
- Real-time updates to keep your customers informed
- Data-driven decisions with analytics dashboard
- Customisable tracking page to build brand loyalty
- Insurance cover for in-transit risks
- Dedicated account manager and experienced cross-border experts
- Simplified returns and refunds management
Conclusion
Understanding the guidelines and requirements for international courier services is essential for anyone involved in global shipping. Familiarise yourself with the necessary documentation, understand customs regulations, and select a reliable international courier. It can help you streamline your shipping process, reduce potential issues, and enhance your international business operations.
Staying informed about the latest regulations and leveraging the expertise of established courier services will help you navigate the complexities of international shipping with confidence and efficiency. Complying with guidelines and regulations for international couriers will ensure that your packages reach their destinations safely and promptly, leading to successful international transactions and customer satisfaction.
