Overseas packing can be much more tedious and intimidating than domestic packing based on the sheer number of restrictions on shipments alone. Add the thousands of items that have been deemed “illegal to import” into many countries, and it’s enough to make you wonder if your shipment will ever reach its destination, and if so, will you get charged with a crime over it!
Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself and your business against fines, lost shipments, and the other perils associated with overseas shipping. One of the first things to consider when planning overseas packing is country-specific regulations and requirements. Many shippers offer a tool that will allow users to enter the “origin” and “destination” countries to receive a list of regulations. You can even call the shipper and request a list. An expert shipper will be more than happy to help you!
Once you’ve determined that the contents of your shipment are in compliance with country-specific laws, procedures, regulations, and tariffs, make sure the actual packaging is prepared to meet the demands that international shipping puts on packaged goods. This is even more critical when sending shipments to volatile destinations. According to Export.gov, companies should consider four things when packing a shipment to be sent overseas:
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Breakage
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Moisture
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Pilferage
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Excess Weight
Breakage
Ensure that the contents of your shipment have ample protection against the shock that can come with less sophisticated loading, transporting, and unloading procedures. According to Export.gov, cargo may be dragged, pushed, rolled, or dropped during unloading, while moving through customs, or in transit to the final destination.
Moisture
If your international shipment travels by sea, condensation may develop in the hold of a ship even if it is equipped with air conditioning and a dehumidifier. Depending on the destination, the shipment may also be unloaded in precipitation—even if shipping by air or land. In addition, the foreign port may not have covered storage facilities.
Pilferage
One of the best defenses against pilferage and theft is to refrain from writing detailed descriptions of contents or brand names on packages. You can also use straps, seals, and shrink wrapping to make it more difficult for thieves to get into the packages.
Excess Weight
A number of special materials have been developed to help minimize the weight and volume of shipments. These materials also reinforce the packaging and they help ensure that the shipment is properly packed. When shopping for solutions, always ask if your shipment would be a good fit for these special lightweight packing materials.
If you want top-tier protection for your overseas shipment, consider hiring a professional. Export.gov suggest hiring a professional firm to do the packing for you, especially if you feel your supplier is ill equipped to handle it. A professional packing firm like Valley Box is already well versed in the world of overseas packing and shipping. The icing on the cake is, the cost for the service is usually moderate—and well worth the peace of mind.
You can also learn more about where your shipment is headed at Travel.State.Gov.
