Pack n Send Blog

Advice for international shipping from Houston Freight Company

Posted on Thu, Nov 29, 2012

While most companies and individuals are accustomed to shipping domestically, international shipping requires different areas of expertise.

When searching for an international shipping company you need to look for a company that possesses experience in dealing with multiple countries as well as multiple currencies. Can the company load household goods into containers?

For starters there is additional paperwork.  Certain shipments require Schedule B paperwork in addition to the usual customs paperwork. Shipments going out of the country require heat treated wood that is not required in domestic shipping.

Transit times are usually longer when shipping overseas. While air shipping is available, it is quite a bit more costly for large items.

Boat shipping requires extra time. Not only does it take longer to ship, but there are often time adjustments once your shipment is booked.  As gas prices have risen in recent years, ships have taken longer in order to save on fuel consumption.

Ships are often delayed as they wait to fill up with cargo.  Due to storms, unloading of ships is often delayed as ships line up to off load cargo.

While some companies have multiple locations, you may want to make sure that the location you are using has been in business for a long time. Experience in packing fragile and delicate items will make a difference in the way that your freight shipment arrives to the final recipient.

Ask if there is an option in ocean shipping for shipping via a cubic meters as well as container shipping. Make sure that the company has experience loading containers. Do they prepare the items before hand, and then stage them for fast loading inside a covered warehouse. The charges for loading a container are based on hours. You want to make sure that you are paying only for the actual loading, not the loading, unloading and repositioning of goods.

You should obtain coverage based on the declared value of your shipment.  The company you choose to ship with should offer pick up service and offer you door to door or door to port service.  Always ask for alternatives as a way to save you or your company money.

If you are shipping cars, ask for containerized shipping s well as roll on roll off service.

When shipping via air, you have many of the same concerns as ocean shipping, but other areas need to be addressed.  You must have a street address, a contact name, phone number or email address.

In both instances, make sure that you check with every foreign country that you are shipping to that the items you are shipping are permitted to enter the country. Fresh fruit and vegetables, flour, jewelry and pancake mix are just a few of the banned items.

Do not plan on shipping hazardous chemicals unless you are planning to use a haz mat shipper. As an example, a shipment of matches can cost over $700 from Houston to Europe. This is simply due to haz mat packing and shipping charges.

 In the course of doing business worldwide, pack n send has realized that both students and business people do not know how to deal with multiple currencies. To help alleviate this situation pack n send has developed a program for class room teachers to use at all levels.   Please go to our website www.pack-n-send.com and click on the far right tab-Students and Teachers. Here you will find flags, facts and currencies for countries and Islands throughout the world. If you need assistance in using this program, please email us at sales@pack-n-send.com.

If you need an experience international shipping company in Houston Texas, feel free to call pack n send at 713 266 1450.  If you need advice for international packing, shipping or freight receiving in Houston or the United States, please feel free to contact us also.

 

 

Tags: Freight Forwarding Houston, Packing Houston