International shipping is one big puzzle. Its pieces are scattered all around the world. If you think that finding them and fitting them together is an easy task, you’re wrong. This is a very complicated field. You can ship a container full of electronics or a small box of sneakers; chances are 99% that something will go wrong.
And when you have to deal with different customs and carriers, ten more challenges can show up in a single moment. This is why everyone who is in this field should be prepared for some common challenges. In this article, we will try to cover some of them, from paperwork nightmares to delays.
And don’t worry, we’ll try to keep it as simple as possible, as it’s the best way to understand international shipping headaches sometimes.
Delays and Fees
Delays, delays. They are the nightmare of every shipper. It can happen due to different reasons – bad weather, a ship breaking down in the middle of nowhere, port congestion… These things are something that can’t be avoided in international shipping. But here’s one more scary thing – when delays happen, it’s not just about the time that is lost – demurrage fees are also racking up. What are those fees?
For example, someone rents a storage unit but keeps their stuff there much longer than they were supposed to. In this case, the storage company will charge them extra for hogging their space. This is exactly what fees are in the international shipping world. When a container is at port or terminal too long (longer than agreed), then the shipping company will charge for every extra day that container spends there. And believe us, those fees can become a high number very fast.
Here comes the worst part – in most cases, delays are completely out of your control. A storm can shut down a port, a labor strike can put everything on hold. But even when it’s someone else’s fault, you still have to pay the price. It’s like you get a parking ticket when actually someone else blocked you in.
Customs Clearance
Customs clearance is so chaotic, it could make every person lose their nerves, even the most patient ones. Why? Every country has different rules and regulations. If you try to remember and understand them all, you’ll feel like you’re in a labyrinth. If there’s only one wrong form or missing document, the shipment can be stuck in customs for weeks, even months.
On top of all that, there are tariffs and duties. Tariffs and duties are taxes that certain countries charge on imported goods. If you don’t know anything about the country’s rules, the cost of these fees can be a big surprise. For example, you think that you got a great deal for shipping, but then you find that customs fees are going to take everything you’ve earned.
Oh, and let’s not forget about the paperwork. You need commercial invoices, bills of lading, certificates of origin… And if you make a mistake here, well, don’t hope that your shipment will be released on time. Customs clearance is a very stressful and confusing procedure sometimes, so prepare yourself.
Breakdowns of Communication
If you are in the world of international shipping, you know that you’re not just communicating with one person or one company. There are carriers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and a lot of warehouse staff involved in this process. So, with so many people involved, breakdowns of communication are an inevitable thing.
Sometimes, your freight forwarder will forget to update you about a delay. Sometimes, the carrier will lose track of the shipment and won’t be able to tell you where it is. When such things happen, you will probably feel completely lost. And this is the last thing you want when you’re working so hard to run a business.
There is also a well-known thing called the time difference between countries. You’re trying to get in touch with someone because there is an urgent situation, but they’re probably sleeping at that time. When they reply to your message or call, it’s already tomorrow in their time zone, and you have an issue.
Damaged and Lost Goods
This is something that will happen 99% of the time. It’s life – packages get lost, containers get dropped, and goods just don’t make it to the final destination in their original form. When goods are shipped all around the world, there is always a risk that something will go wrong. The real challenge here: it’s very hard to prove that your goods were lost or damaged during shipping.
You need to file a claim, gather and provide evidence, and go through a bunch of hoops if you want to get compensation. Even when you do this, no one can guarantee that you’ll get your money back. Also, some carriers don’t want to pay the total value of your goods. They have a limit for damaged or lost goods.
You might lose something very valuable, but you will only get a fraction of its worth. This is like when you buy insurance and then find out it only covers half the cost.
High Shipping Costs
You’re probably seeing that shipping costs are constantly rising. Labor shortages, fuel costs, and increased demand are all making prices go up. When you’re shipping internationally, these costs can become a very high number, and you can’t do anything about it. Of course, you can search around for a better rate. But, at the end of the day, you need the mercy of the market.
It’s very hard to be competitive when costs are so high. We all know the situation where we went into the supermarket and realized that everything on our list has now doubled in price. We need to buy it, but it’s going to hurt our wallets. There’s no painless way to avoid high shipping costs.
Image Source: Pixabay
Once you know the most common challenges, you’re probably wondering if international shipping is even worth it. Yes, it’s expensive and complicated, but it’s also a very important part of being competitive globally.
The most important thing is to be prepared. Remember that you can’t control everything, but you can take some measures to minimize the stress and headaches.
Main image: Pixabay
