International Shipping

International shipping can be tricky. It is important to have a basic understanding of what is required when a company is considering exporting products.

What You Should Know About International Shipping

In order to ship internationally, it is important to know if, in fact, the product or service can be legally shipped, what billing options are available, and any stipulations that might affect a shipment. For example, when shipping from the United States to Taiwan, billing options include prepaid, freight collect, cost and freight, and split duty and VAT. Taiwan does not allow gambling devices to be imported. Several products such as contact lenses require an import license.

Documentation and International Shipping

It is important to provide the correct documentation when shipping. When sending materials other than documents, a package typically requires shipping documents and an original commercial invoice plus two copies. If sending more than one package, only one package requires the documentation. Other documents may be required depending on the country to which the package or packages are being sent.

International Shipping: Freight Forwarders

Freight forwarders are used by exporters to assist in shipping their products out of the United States. Licensed by the International Air Transport Association and the Federal Maritime Commission, freight forwarders are knowledgeable in costs such as port charges, freight charges, consular fees, and documentation fees. A freight forwarder can also deal with customs brokers to make sure that the appropriate customs documentation is available. A freight forwarder will charge an additional fee for handling the exporting process.

Why Use Freight Forwarders?

Many companies use freight forwarders just because of the myriad of documents that are required to export. Documents required may include a bill of lading and a commercial invoice. A shipment might require a consular invoice, which is used to confirm information such as the value of a shipment. Some countries require a certificate of origin, which states the origin of the items shipped and is usually signed by an organization like a chamber of commerce.

Some shipments may need a Shipper's Export Declaration, which the United States government uses to keep track of the number and type of exports, and is requirement for any shipment that has to have an export license. Each shipment must have the correct documentation and the documents must be filled out correctly or the shipment may not be allowed to leave the United States. Depending on the problems involved, a shipment might even be seized.

By Laura Evans