Shipping goods overseas sounds
challenging, and it can be. However, once you do it, things tend to
get much simpler. Practice makes perfect. Things are no
different when it comes to international shipping. And it doesn't
really matter if you are planning on shipping your car, household
goods or items that you'd like to sell overseas. In the following
article, we will present you with some of the most common mistakes
related to international shipping and ways to overcome them.

Getting informed is the most important part of
the process

Knowing what you are doing every
step of the way is something that will not only help you create a
much clearer picture of this whole process, but it will also help
you avoid some of the most common mistakes when it comes to shipping
goods internationally. Nowadays, we have the internet on our side,
and getting informed about international shipping isn’t as hard as
it once was. On the other hand, you need to find reliable sources
to get properly informed.

The best way to obtain such information
is by going through official channels. Shipping from the USA to
Ireland is way different from shipping goods from the USA to the
Cayman Islands. Different countries have different laws and
regulations. Not to mention – temperatures. That is why the best
thing you can do is to contact the embassy and ask all the questions
before shipping anything. Embassy officials will provide you with all
the information you might need before shipping to their country, and
getting all that info from a source that reliable is something that
will help you avoid many problems that can occur.

On the other hand, there are some
factors you’ll need to explore all by yourself. As we have
mentioned before, shipping to a country such as Ireland is much
different from shipping goods to the Cayman Islands. And the climate
isn’t the only difference that can affect your course of action. So
– the best thing you can do is to start doing research. Read
different articles, forums, reviews. Try to get as informed as
possible, and – on time.

International shipping 101

Contracts and other legal items that
are a part of this process might scare you. However, we are here for
you. Keep on reading and learn all about shipping
dos and don’ts!

Prepare documentation

A solid strategy is something that can
help you ship your items internationally stress and hassle-free. Use
your time wisely and gather all the necessary documentation as soon
as you learn what you’ll need in order to send your shipment. This
rule goes for everything, no matter if you are planning on moving to
the Cayman Islands, shipping your car there or even shipping some
commercial goods.

Normally, you will need two sets of
documents before shipping your goods internationally.

• 
  A
  commercial invoice
  
  
• 
  A
  customs form
  

Alongside these documents, you will
need to prepare the following information:

• 
  Contents
  Type 
  
• 
  Signing
  Person
  (person responsible for the shipment)
  
• 
  DDU
  (Delivery Duties Unpaid by Sender) 
  
• 
  DDP
  (Delivery Duties Paid by Sender)
  
• 
  Tariff
  Code
  (HS code) 
  

And before sending anything overseas,
check if your shipment is on the list of prohibited items. Shipping
such items can cause you a lot of trouble, and that is something
nobody really wants.

Insuring your goods is always a good idea

It really is. You can never know what
can go wrong, and in case things really go sideways – having an
insurance policy at hand will save you a lot of trouble. Shipping
means transporting your belongings by air, sea or land. And we don’t
have to explain to you what can go wrong. From damaged goods to the
missing ones – you don’t have to worry about a thing once you get
your insurance. And even if it seems like something that will only
make you overstep your budget, insurance will actually help you sleep
better. Consider it once more before discarding it.

International shipping costs

Even though shipping automatically
reminds us of our limited budget, a solid strategy, preparation and
organization can help you save some money along the way. And when it
comes to average international shipping costs, well – there is no
way to predict the final cost of your shipment. However, you can
Google different options and ask carriers for their price
estimates. It will help you calculate your budget and prepare for
what’s to come. And remember to contact not one, but as many as
possible shipping service providers in order to find the best one.

Air freight vs. ocean freight

• 
  If
  you are planning in shipping a large number
  of goods or a heavier shipment, it would be cheaper to do so by sea.
  
• 
  If
  you are planning on shipping something small, shipping it by air
  will be a more affordable option.
  
• 
  When
  it comes to speed, air shipping is way faster.
  
• 
  If
  you are trying to compare these two options and their reliability,
  the sad news is that you can expect some delays no matter which way
  you choose to go.
  
• 
  When
  it comes to the environmental
  impact,
  shipping goods via air has a much larger carbon footprint.
  On the other hand, oil spills
  from ships
  can cause much more trouble when they occur.
  
  

Summary

As you can see, every case is unique
and different from any other that came before. That is why you should
get informed and make a decision on your own. Compare all the pros
and cons, calculate your budget, put everything on a piece of paper
and try to make the best call possible.