How to Package Overseas Shipments to Increase your Growth
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International shipping can seem like a waste of money when costs are taken into account - especially for small businesses. But, when it comes to overseas shipping, there are some steps you can take to make your shipping benefit you.
Most international shipping costs will take weight into account. For this reason, it’s key to keep your parcels’ weights as low as possible.
Whether you are shipping heavy furniture, or lightweight parcels, choosing the right kind of packing materials is a sure-fire way to reduce costs.
Most packages are sent in cardboard boxes, but you have other options that may suit better. Crate boxes, corrugated cartons and wood pack boxes may be heavier, but they are more robust, and less likely to break in transit.
Eco-friendly materials may cost a bit extra, but can be used as a selling point for those more environmentally conscious when shopping.
If you find yourself with a significant amount of international shipping demands, investing in a customs broker is the best way forward.
A customs broker will simplify the complexities international shipping can create, and work to benefit your company specifically.
If you aren’t using a customs broker, it’s critical to know the international shipping laws. It will cost more to ship to certain places. Due to this, you may want to consider only offering international shipping to a selection of countries.
Though this may seem like narrowing your market, it can save you money overall. Look at the demand levels in certain countries - will it pay off when you consider the cost of shipping?
If you are looking to ship internationally, without any immediate demand, consider their markets. Is there a gap in the market that your business fills? Then it may be worth shipping to this country.
Getting your shipment to as little weight as possible is vital, but even more so is making sure it’s adequately protected.
Of course, this will be a more significant point for those shipping delicate items, but it’s vital for others too. Anything can break, and you don’t want that to be your shipment.
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Customers will likely raise issues with broken shipments and can demand refunds. In this case, you’ve wasted money - not only on the product itself but also the international shipping.
There are several packaging protectants available to you: packing peanuts, bubble wrap and foam pads to name a few. Making sure you’ve got at leave 5cm of protection should help you avoid any damages.
Shipping internationally can elevate a company into higher levels of demand and therefore increased growth. However, it can also create issues within a business with costs, stunting growth.
When looking to begin shipping internationally, it is essential to do all the research you can to ensure you will benefit from this change. The more aware you are of the markets you are shipping to, the shipping methods you can use, and the costs it will bring about, the better.
