International Shipping: Solutions for Global Success in a Global Marketplace

Almost 250 billion items are shipped globally each year, with international B2B shipping accounting for a significant portion of this volume, so we all know the sensation when the delivery service at last parks in front of the home, rings the doorbell. On the Internet, there are hundreds of worldwide markets where foreign goods run for a few euros (or dollars or pounds). Nowadays, shopping overseas is not rare but rather a fact of life in a world market. And all of us gain from it.

You will, eventually, think about selling internationally as you develop and finally grow your company. International shipping has more difficulties than domestic shipment that you should be ready for. Among a few things to think about are thorough research, effective organization, and a broad knowledge of your target markets.

International shipment not only broadens your consumer base but also your sales records. Still, there are a few little things to think about when you ship goods outside your own nation. We shall define what they are here.

What is shipping internationally?

International shipping—using air, sea, road, or rail—is the movement of products between many nations. Common challenges in international shipping include varying regulations, documentation requirements, and customs procedures. The many laws and norms every nation has to make this procedure more difficult than domestic shipping. Effective import or export of goods depends on firms knowing and using certain international shipping guidelines. They also have to have ready the necessary documentation for a flawless and easy change.

International shipping might be more difficult, as every nation has its own laws and rules. Some are harsher than others. For example, Canada taxes some products and lists those that are forbidden from import. This emphasizes the need of either learning the rules or using expert freight forwarding companies.

Apart from laws, time zones, language hurdles, and money transfers complicate international transportation in addition. Still, you may efficiently handle overseas shipping and gain from a larger clientele with the correct information and techniques.

Sending a shipment inside your own nation puts you under local rules. Your cargo comes under international laws, norms and guidelines once it crosses national boundaries. Navigating them can be difficult (particularly for individuals who detest form completion).

Deliver goods all around

Whether you run a business or a personal life, shipping items overseas guarantees that your products go to people all around. To help you keep sight and control all through the package, most courier companies offer door-to-door delivery, tracking, and customs assistance.

Mail pallets overseas

For big or hefty shipments, sending pallets overseas is a consistent decision. Management of the packing, loading, and transportation by freight forwarders and logistics firms guarantees complete compliance with customs criteria. Palletizing goods helps you protect your products and maximize handling and storage during transportation.

Sending paperwork overseas

Safe and trackable courier services are absolutely vital when forwarding time-sensitive or valuable documentation abroad. These companies handle the required papers and frequently give accelerated delivery choices to make sure your paperwork gets to its destination fast and safely.

Benefits of worldwide transportation

Efficient international delivery lets companies rapidly and effectively distribute products all throughout the world. It helps companies' transportation expenses be lessened. Furthermore, it helps companies to enter fresh markets and target clients. Shipping goods internationally supports world trade and economic development.

• Grow your company: this is the most crucial as well as the clear advantage. Adopting an international shipping strategy can offer your e-commerce company to fresh global markets that will propel company expansion.     
  If you offer a seasonal product, for example, moving the emphasis from summer as your nation enters winter will help to maintain your sales consistent year long.
• Offer more of various goods. Different demands abound in new markets. It does not follow that overseas markets will not be more responsive just because a product line may not have done successfully in your area.
• Reach bigger markets: Retail is basically a numerical game. Beyond the small population of your native nation, you have access to a great volume of possible new clients in marketplaces far larger than your home-grown base.
• Increased Clientele: For e-commerce businesses, one of the main advantages of international shipping is the possibility to access a larger clientele outside their home countries. Offering choices for international shipping allows companies to attract consumers all over and enter new markets.
• Advantage of Competitiveness: Providing international shipping gives e-commerce businesses a unique advantage in the worldwide market. Businesses that can satisfy consumers' expectations for accessibility and convenience will have a competitive advantage at a time when these things are expected. E-commerce businesses may draw consumers that value worldwide accessibility and dependability by deftly including international shipping solutions into their operations.
• Availability of Special Products and Suppliers: E-commerce businesses may access special goods and suppliers from across the globe by international shipping. This increases their range of products and helps them to stand out from rivals. Globally sourcing goods allows e-commerce businesses to provide consumers a varied and distinctive inventory that might not be found locally.

How to be successful in international markets?

Success in foreign markets depends on knowing local customer behavior, adjusting to cultural variations, strategic planning, and smart technological utilization. Building strong local partnerships can also be crucial in navigating foreign markets.

Study the target market

Although it sounds clear-cut, many SMEs discover they are neglecting this vital stage as they are unsure of how to go forward or worry it will eat a hole in their budget. But here's the thing: when it comes to international expansion, comprehensive research and market analysis are your secret weapons against costly mistakes and aimless endeavors. So let's start right now with what you need to make sure your new overseas business runs profitably under control of expenses:

Identify the perfect target market

Finding the correct target market for your goods or services will be the secret to a good internationalizing effort. For companies much like yours, it is important to identify markets that really compliment your products. Here's how to tackle this efficiently:

• Give markets with great growth potential and clear demand for what you provide priority. Search for areas seeing demographic changes, economic ups and downs, and shifting consumer preferences.
• Tap into secondary research: Don't reinvent the wheel; valuable insights can often be found in publicly available data, market reports, and industry studies. Government websites, trade organizations, and reputable research firms offer treasure troves of information to guide your market selection.

Meet the delivery requirements in each country

There are strict controls on goods crossing borders. You will find a list of prohibited items (those that cannot be shipped under any circumstances), those that may be subject to restrictions (e.g. forests covered by CITES) and those that must be clearly labelled (e.g. items containing lithium-ion batteries).

It is your responsibility to know what you can and cannot ship and to ensure all relevant forms are filled out, so double and triple check that you are legally allowed to ship your products.

Every country enforces its own import regulations, required documentation, and duty or tax rules. Ensuring your shipment complies with these requirements is essential to avoid delays, additional fees, or even returned packages. Before sending goods, confirm that packaging, labels, and paperwork adhere to local standards—this proactive approach helps guarantee smooth delivery and keeps your business operating efficiently.

Choose a reliable international delivery service

Selecting the right courier or freight forwarder for international delivery can significantly impact cost, delivery speed, and customer satisfaction. Look for providers with a proven track record, transparent pricing, and comprehensive tracking tools. 

Additionally, consider customer reviews and the range of services offered—door-to-door delivery, customs support, and insurance—to ensure a dependable shipping experience.

Not all logistics providers are created equal. For example, imagine you’re shipping electronics to multiple destinations in Eastern Europe. A local logistics partner with expertise in the region’s infrastructure can make all the difference. Meest International, for example, provides customized IT solutions and simplified procedures, concentrating in Eastern European markets. This sort of help guarantees that even difficult shipments arrive on schedule and in perfect shape. The right partner doesn’t just move packages—they help you scale your business globally.

Minimize transportation costs

As international shipping costs continue to rise, you should find the appropriate balance between cost and speed when choosing a parcel service.

Once you have determined which products you want to ship, where you would like to ship them, and who is responsible for international delivery, you can calculate shipping costs.

International shipping is affected by several factors, including duties and taxes, package value, fuel costs, shipping method (air, land or sea), delivery distance, weight and dimensions, and insurance and protection.

Although your revenues may soon be consumed by shipping costs, there are strategies to maximize. Review your package one way to start. For air transportation especially, changing to lightweight, recyclable materials may greatly lower volumetric weight expenses. Another excellent choice is bulk shipping; grouping smaller shipments into one bigger container helps to save per-unit prices. A practical illustration might be: Just renegotiating contracts with regional carriers helped a mid-sized ecommerce firm save delivery costs by 15% (Meest, 2024). It reminds us that little changes may result in significant savings.

Know and comply with legal requirements

Imagine a missing paperwork causes your shipment to be stopped at customs. Annoying, isn't it? Customs laws differ by nation; even little errors might cause delays, penalties, or rejected goods. Importing products into the European Union, for instance, calls for an EORI number, correct HS codes, and thorough invoicing. A World Bank research indicates that simplifying customs processes may help to lower shipment delays by up to 47%. Working with customs brokers or logistics professionals that understand the nuances of international commerce can revolutionize your ability to avoid the trouble.

Ensure proper customs clearance

Navigating customs efficiently involves accurately completing all required documentation and declaring contents, value, and origin. Familiarize yourself with specific rules and regulations at your shipment’s destination to avoid unexpected delays or fees. By staying informed and following guidelines, you streamline the customs process for a smooth delivery experience.

One of the toughest parts of international shipping might be clearing customs. Here are a few tips to make the process smoother and ensure your packages reach their destination without unnecessary delays.

Incoterms

Companies that ship internationally should develop International Commercial Terms (commonly known as Incoterms) that are sent to all customers (or available online).

Incoterms have three core functions:

1. Cost allocation: You specify who is responsible for the shipping, insurance, import and customs costs of the shipment.
2. Distribution of responsibilities: They indicate who is responsible for the transport and where to.
3. Transfer of risk: They indicate who is responsible for the goods at each step of the shipment, even if the risk and cost of delivery are transferred from the seller to the buyer.

Ensure correct packaging and labeling

In a truck through Germany. Loading, unloading, onto a freight ship or cargo plane. The longer the shipping route, the more a shipment has to go through. Sturdy packaging goes without saying. In addition to the compact box, which has to withstand a fall from 1.5 meters, there are other international regulations:

• Prevent the goods from slipping or becoming damaged when they fall by creating a buffer zone in the packaging.
• Fill the packaging with filling material such as bubble wrap, Styrofoam or foam.
• Reinforce the openings and edges with additional tape.
• Pay attention to the weight of your shipment – ​​most countries or regions have a general import limit of 30 kg.

Insure the package

We all know that accidents happen and packages get lost, so insurance is essential. Insurance protects you and your customers in the event of an incident with the package.

Some shipping options are insured for a certain amount by default. If not, you can purchase additional insurance through the parcel service or a third-party provider.

Purchasing shipping insurance helps protect you against loss, damage, or unexpected events that may occur in transit. Many carriers offer coverage options based on the package’s declared value, while specialized insurers may provide additional protection. By insuring your shipment, you gain peace of mind knowing potential risks are mitigated and your goods are financially safeguarded.

The decision to insure your packages depends on your risk attitude and the cost of the items you ship.

Organize the processing of international returns

Of course, we hope all customers are happy. But we also know that some will not be. The average return rate in e-commerce is a whopping 20-30% (RichPanel, 2024). Given the hassle and cost, fewer people will want to return international packages. Still, you need a process to manage them.

Do you have to accept international returns? It's complicated. Different countries have different policies for approvals and returns. In Europe, customers have 14 days to return an item. In Australia, there is no cooling-off period. However, many brands accept all international returns, regardless of whether they are legally required to do so. Why? Because it's good for their company image.

By the way, you are not obliged to pay for the return shipment. However, you naturally want to ensure that your goods are returned in a salable condition. If customers decide to return an item, they should be free to decide how to do so, including choosing a parcel service and drop-off point.

Conclusion

Though it has restrictions, international shipping is a useful instrument that helps to blur national boundaries. Finding out whether goods are forbidden or limited in the nation of shipment or consulting the foreign courier service is advisable before ordering. This will help to prevent delivery issues and could point up foreign country solutions.

Though it may appear daunting, international shipping is totally under control with the correct strategies—that is, keeping on top of customs, streamlining supply chains, selecting trustworthy partners, and stressing prices and customer happiness. Remember to that any improvement you do helps your bottom line and clients.

FAQ

What is not allowed to be shipped internationally?

Many countries impose restrictions on items such as weapons, illegal substances, or certain chemicals. Additionally, goods that pose health, safety, or environmental risks—like perishable foods, live animals, or hazardous materials—often fall under strict shipping prohibitions. Always consult the regulations in the origin and destination countries to ensure full compliance.

How do you choose the best international shipping method?

Selecting the right shipping method depends on factors such as delivery timeline, budget, and the nature of the goods. For time-sensitive or high-value packages, consider express air freight, while larger, heavier shipments may be more cost-effective via sea freight. Compare various carrier options, transit times, and service inclusions to align with your specific requirements.

What are Incoterms?

Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) are a set of globally recognized rules that clarify responsibilities between buyers and sellers in international trade. They define who handles international shipping costs, insurance, and customs clearance, helping prevent misunderstandings and disputes. Common examples include EXW (Ex Works) and DDP (Delivered Duty Paid).

What is a customs tariff number?

A customs tariff number, often referred to as an HS (Harmonized System) code, classifies goods for international trade. Used worldwide, these codes help customs authorities determine applicable duties, taxes, and import regulations. Accurately identifying the correct HS code for your products ensures smooth customs processing and avoids unnecessary penalties.

What is an EORI number?

An EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number is required for businesses and individuals importing or exporting goods to and from the European Union. This unique identification streamlines customs procedures, allowing authorities to track and validate shipments more efficiently. Obtaining an EORI number is a critical step for companies involved in cross-border trade with the EU.

What do you do if an international shipment is lost?

If a shipment goes missing, start by contacting the carrier or freight forwarder to initiate a search or investigation. Provide tracking details, proof of shipment, and any relevant insurance information. If the package cannot be located, file a claim with the carrier or your insurance provider for compensation. Maintaining thorough documentation throughout the shipping process can expedite resolution.