If you’re not accustomed to overseas shipping, it can seem like quite an ordeal. And there are many things that can go wrong when shipping overseas! Without experience and knowledge of rules and regulations, something as simple as packaging and sending a piece of furniture or a machine part to another part of the world can be a red-tape nightmare. Overseas shipping companies understand the paperwork that needs to accompany any shipment as well as sizes, packing, and custom forms. They have developed the skills and knowledge to get your valuable cargo to its destination in the best form possible.
There are specific labels and sets of paperwork that must accompany every shipment to any country. The rules and specifications of each country are different and subject to change at any given time. It’s vital to stay up-to-date with any changes that may affect a shipment. One of the easiest places to check your own mistakes is by making sure the address is correct, including the destination country! Many a crate has gone astray because of the simple act of making a mistake in the address on the paperwork, the labels, or on the crate.
The correct size of a crate will help protect equipment or other goods from possible damage along the way. The size also determines how the crate will be sent. There are different overseas shipping options available for various sizes, so the more accurate the size of the crate is, the more flexibility there will be in choosing the shipping method. The dimensions should fit the goods snuggly but still, leave ample room for cushioning. In addition, if the crates aren’t built to withstand crashing waves or other crates being stacked on top, the goods could arrive in poor condition.
When packing good for overseas shipping, many people don’t realize that the crate could actually be exposed to the salt from the seawater. This is very corrosive and if the products aren’t wrapped and sealed well, there could be some damage that ruins its value. Whatever merchandise or equipment is in the crates need to be well protected from the elements.
Crates, pallets, and casing are made out of wood. In an effort to stop the spread of bugs, fungus, or other insects, there are international standards that must be followed. According to ISPM-15 rules, all the wooden packaging materials must be either heat-treated or fumigated to prevent this from happening. Once this has been done, the crates can get a special stamp. This will be checked by customs at the destination port. If the stamps are absent, the shipment might not be allowed into the country.
Those are a few of the reasons things can go wrong when shipping overseas and why it can turn into a bad experience. It’s usually best-practice to let professionals send off the goods, so consider outsourcing the task to a business with experience. They can be sure everything will be packed in the safest way, labeled, and that the shipment meets international regulations.
