How to Ship Internationally: Part 1

Shipping freight can be a tricky business. When you decide to ship cargo internationally, the process can leave you lost. And yet, expanding your shipping capabilities across the pond and beyond is a great way to grow your business. By the end of this article, the question “How do I ship internationally?” will be a thought of the past. Consider us your travel guides through the wonderful world of international freight shipping!

In this part, we’ll be covering the shippability and packaging of your international freight, so you know you’re on the right track.

Can I Ship That Internationally?

Remember that time your brother was studying abroad in Japan and called you? He was homesick for Puerto Rican coffee, so your mom tried to ship him a crate of it and couldn’t due to customs regulations.

When it comes to shipping freight internationally, you first have to learn what you can and cannot ship. The devil is really in the details: shipping coffee to Japan, for instance, is a cumbersome process. Shipping like this requires a set of rules: Roasted coffee requires import notification and inspection by the Japan Health Ministry. The JPM does not permit unroasted or raw beans, but other forms could be acceptable. There are also occasions where an item is shippable, but only in limited quantities.

Every country has its own list of prohibited items, so before waving farewell to your cargo, research whether or not the commodity you’re sending overseas will make it past customs. Sometimes what strikes us as innocuous is something totally unshippable. Cosmetics have very particular rules coming in or leaving the U.S., and, in fact, they’re an import restriction in Japan. For instance, nail polish is subject to inspection since there are brands comprised of flammable ingredients. Something like a hoverboard can be shipped domestically, but forget it if you want to ship one to your cousin in Guam. The USPS website has a list of restricted and prohibited items, which includes alcohol, flammable liquids and solids, fireworks, and more.

Do your research. Investigate various international carriers to make sure that they are open to carrying your freight. International freight can be denied over the smallest infractions. It is important to cover all tracks before beginning paperwork.

It Goes In What Now?

There are steps to the packaging process. Rules are far stricter when you’re trying to ship freight internationally. Air freight and ocean freight function under different parameters, so it’s important to know what applies to which when it comes to packaging materials.

Packaging Materials to Ship Internationally

There are two things to keep in mind when packing for air freight: size and weight. Due to limited space, air freight is more expensive, and packaging materials add extra weight. If you’re looking for quicker shipping times, air freight will be your better option.

Rules for ocean freight are a little more lenient. It’s much cheaper than air freight, but it’s much slower as well. If your schedule permits, sending your cargo via ocean freight is the way to go. Extra packaging won’t cost extra either.

Packaging Requirements for International Freight

Many countries have these same regulations to prevent the spread of pests and diseases. Goods will be taken or destroyed, and penalties will be enforced if you do not follow guidelines. So before you start packing, make sure you understand the requirements for shipping to your destination country. Wood that is not heat treated, fumigated or ISPM compliant, could be subject to penalties. This wood is susceptible to carrying pests like insects or fungus (that can potentially spread disease), and will not be ISPM 15 compliant.

What is ISPM 15, you ask? This stands for International Standards For Phytosanitary Measures No. 15. ISPM 15 was created by the International Plant Protection Organization (IPPC). The IPPC is a part of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Follow this standard to ensure wood being used for shipping is treated and safe for travel.

Possible Dangers When You Ship Internationally

Untreated lumber risks the transference of invasive species (plant, insect, or otherwise) across international lines. While we have species that are native to the U.S.—like the pinewood nematode—such a pest could pose a huge threat to the ecology of the country of destination. These critters, no matter how microscopic, can decimate a country’s native flora and fauna. The Eastern European Gypsy Moth alone can defoliate 700,000 acres of the Northeastern United States a year, causing millions of dollars in damage.

All Your Ducks in a Row, or in a Stack on a Pallet

U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires shippers to be mindful when packaging goods bound for the U.S. Checking imports for restrictions and infractions can take its fair share of time. Goods are examined by border protection. The more disorderly the contents of a shipment are, the higher the risk of delay.

How are you shipping your freight? The CBP considers palletized shipments an excellent and effective way to accelerate examinations since it allows for quick removal by way of a forklift. By following the designated packing guidelines, it will be a faster shipping process for everyone involved, from you, to your consignee, to all the carriers and inspectors in between.

See You at the Next Port of Call!

Don’t let shipping internationally feel like a global catastrophe. Keep your eyes on FreightCenter’s series, The International Shipper’s Checklist, for more tips and tricks for all your international shipments.

Our next port of call will be at the customs broker’s office. See you then!