As a business, there is no need to be limited by the country you’re in. Expanding your operations to other countries can help you increase your customer base, access new markets, and boost profits dramatically.
Shipping goods overseas is a great way to broaden your horizons and tap into new areas for success. But there are many rules and regulations when it comes to international freight. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with these and understand the opportunities available to maximize your success.
If you are looking to start shipping internationally, the following tips will help you reach your potential while cutting costs along the way.
Do your research
Your product or service may have a huge audience over here, but is there a demand for it internationally? It’s essential you do some market research into other countries before you start making big decisions. You may already have huge volumes of requests from international customers, in which case a lot of your work has been done for you. But if not, you’ll need to start finding ways of reaching global markets. See if there are similar products for sale in the countries you want to target, and take note of any competitors. It will take time to grow an international audience. Before you start launching a global shipping operation, perhaps try selling your product on a native online marketplace to judge the demand.
Reduce shipping costs
Shipping goods overseas can be extremely costly if you’re not careful. To reduce your costs, you should first shop around to find the best value courier to meet your needs. Many couriers have hidden fees and surcharges, so make sure you discuss these with your provider before signing anything. There are so many other areas where you have the opportunity to save a great deal of money, including shipping insurance, order management software, and packaging supplies. Always try to seek out discounts and compare prices from different services to find the best deal.
Follow the regulations
Every country has its own unique rules and restrictions when it comes to shipping goods. You must have a comprehensive understanding of each country’s regulations before you start shipping, or you may unwittingly end up breaking the law. Depending on your product, you may be restricted in the quantities you can export or may have to pay an additional tax on them. Some countries may prevent you from shipping your product at all. Customs authorities have every right to stop the shipment of packages, so you don’t want to end up losing valuable goods along the way.
Streamline your shipping processes
When you start taking large orders of goods from several different countries, you will need a robust system in place to keep track of everything. Handling all the customer data, fees, and processes can be challenging, so you’ll need to invest in some shipping management software. The software will eliminate human error as well as improving the efficiency of your freight operations.
If you need help with your shipping operations, dealing with customs authorities, or improving process efficiency, visit EP Logistics for advice at http://eplogistics.com/customs.html.
