International Shipping Made Easy - Avoid These Nine Common Mistakes

When it comes to international shipping, it is important to get it right every time. It is because sometimes even a seemingly minor mistake may lead to consequences like financial losses, and wasted time and effort. Imagine shopping from your favorite U.S. retailers only to face disappointment in the end due to an issue associated with shipping.

Shipping mistakes usually include various forms of errors including inaccuracies in billing information, overlooking country-specific regulations, etc., all of which may result in delays or losses. But no worries- Stackry is here to help!

In this article, we have highlighted nine common international shipping mistakes and offer helpful tips on how to avoid them. With a few savvy tricks, you can easily avoid these common pitfalls to streamline your shipping process and enjoy a smooth and hassle-free shipping experience. Let’s have a look!

Consolidating and Repacking Shipments

When shipping multiple packages from different retailers, it can quickly drain your shipping budget. Each box incurs its own weight and size-based fees, often with additional handling charges attached. Consolidating packages can help you save. Consolidating purchases into a single more economical shipment can save money and simplify the delivery process.

Stackry assists its customers in managing their shipments by consolidating and re-packing their packages to optimize their deliveries for cost-effectiveness while ensuring the safety of their items. You can conveniently store items free for up to 45 days while purchases from multiple retailers arrive in your locker. This way you can shop easily from various stores and get your shipment with ease while saving big on the shipping costs.

Understanding International Shipping Rates

Understanding delivery options can help you save substantially. Just like choosing between express and regular mail domestically, international shipping offers options that balance speed and cost. Faster services charge more, but slower options can be considerably cheaper. Do your research!

Navigating international shipping can feel like a maze, but you do not have to do it alone! Stackry simplifies the process by consolidating your packages from different stores into one shipment. Plus, they handle customs clearance and keep you informed every step of the way, so you can focus on the excitement of receiving your international finds!

Completing Shipping Documentation and Ensuring Accuracy

Another common cause of international shipping problems can be inadequate or incorrect documentation. It is imperative to thoroughly check all essential details as neglecting them can make the process unnecessarily challenging. Aspects such as delivery addresses, carrier codes, and freight information must all be taken into consideration when handling shipping. Overlooking these may make the process more complicated, and may also result in additional expenses.

To streamline the process and avoid unnecessary costs, always pay close attention to these key details when arranging shipments. At Stackry, there is a high emphasis on providing accurate information when managing and shipping packages. Stackry has seen it all over 10+ years in business and offers customers expert support for export paperwork and helps reduce the risk of your shipment being subjected to unnecessary delays due to documentation issues.

Complying with Customs Regulations

When it comes to cross-border shipping, customs regulations are a critical consideration. When you are shipping internationally, it is important to know that each country has its own set of rules and restrictions. If you are not aware of these, you may only end up wasting time and money dealing with issues like customs clearance problems, returns, or even the confiscation of your package.

Stackry is here to help. To avoid this common pitfall, always ensure that your packages meet the requirements of the destination country and that all necessary international documents are correctly filled out. When you engage Stackry’s services, the expert support team can guide you through the complex customs process, while ensuring compliance with all necessary regulations.

Choosing the Right Shipping Option

When it comes to international shipping, you generally get what you pay for. While cost-effectiveness is important, it is equally essential to not merely consider the price and research the company’s overall capabilities in handling your freight.  Some third-party logistics providers may lure you in with low rates but between hidden fees and poor customer services, they may not meet your expectations. Hence, opting for the cheapest option may not be the wisest choice in this instance.

To make an informed decision in this regard, conduct additional research on the shipping service provider’s business practices by:

• Investigating the company’s reputation and identifying any red flags.
• Assessing the responsiveness of the company’s customer service.
• Getting recommendations from others who have used the services.
• Reading genuine reviews from previous customers.

These extra steps may help you choose a shipping company that not only offers competitive rates but also delivers reliable and satisfactory international shipping services. Stackry offers access to a network of trusted carriers like DHL and FedEx, enabling you to compare rates and select the perfect shipping service for your needs.

Ensuring Adequate Packaging

International shipping requires strong packaging! While poor packaging may lead to damage during transit, bulky packages can be costly. Carriers often dispute claims related to product damage and attribute them to packaging issues.

Seems like a lot of work? You can make it smooth sailing with a service like Stackry that provides an additional layer of protection by offering a repacking service that enables you to optimize your package for safety and cost-efficiency. This way you can be confident that your package will arrive safe and sound without you having to incur any additional expenses.

Insuring Your Goods

Another important consideration for international shipping is securing your goods during international shipping. This is mainly due to likely risks such as theft, damage, accidents, and piracy. To avoid this, ensure proper insurance by understanding your available options, knowing your cargo type, and thoroughly understanding policy coverage and limitations.

It may also help to be aware of any provisions that might exempt your goods from coverage. These steps can help mitigate the associated risks and prevent delays. Stackry provides free insurance for all customers up to $100 in declared value and offers optional insurance for a cost of $3 per $100 in declared value.

International Shipping Time

One pertinent aspect to consider when opting for international shipping from the US is the speed of delivery. The duration of international shipping varies based on the distance your package needs to cover.

Shipping to neighboring countries can result in remarkably quick deliveries, even as soon as the next business day. However, for long-distance destinations, ensure to allocate sufficient shipping time.

Major destinations usually have extensive transport networks, which may lead to faster transit times compared to shipping to more remote areas. It is important to determine these transit times to avoid any surprises, such as an unexpected wait when you are expecting quicker deliveries.

To facilitate swift delivery, Stackry works with a wide variety of reputed carriers and also offers service levels with short and longer delivery times so customers can choose accordingly.

Tracking the Shipment

Tracking shipments is important to prevent losing an international package. Besides the financial loss it can be frustrating to lose an item in transit you may be looking forward to receiving.  Moreover, given the several touchpoints in the shipping process, tracking down a missing package and determining the cause can be a complex task that involves carriers, various modes of transportation, and governmental authorities.

Accurate delivery tracking information is a key element, as it will provide you with a real-time view of the expected arrival of your item. At the same time, it gives you transparency into the current location of your product.

Stackry works with carriers to provide tracking and support to keep you informed about the location and status of your packages. This transparency helps you stay in control and minimizes the risk of misplaced or lost shipments.

Final Thoughts

International shipping, if not done right, can be costly and frustrating, but with the right approach and support, the experience can be convenient and gratifying. Remember, a little planning and understanding of your shipping options can go a long way in making international shopping a breeze.

It is important to invest time in thoroughly understanding the dynamics of the process and understand the associated custom regulations. It is also helpful to choose an appropriate shipping option, team up with a suitable service provider, insure your goods, and package your items properly.

By using Stackry’s services, you not only gain access to a sales tax-free U.S. address and a smooth shipping process but also benefit from the expertise in overcoming common issues in cross-border shipping. With a keen focus on cost optimization, swift and efficient delivery service, and over 28,000 verified customer reviews, you can be confident in choosing Stackry as your delivery partner.

Sign up for free, leverage Stackry’s solutions, and join over 100,000 international shoppers who enjoy a hassle-free international shipping experience.