International shipping: its advantages, features, and nuances

Delivery of goods has long become an integral part of our daily lives. It's hard to imagine a time when shopping had to be done only in nearby stores or shopping centers. Today, it’s not surprising to receive an order within a few hours or days. However, with the advancement of technology and globalization, international delivery is rapidly gaining popularity on the world stage. More and more people are paying attention to products from other countries, taking advantage of the opportunity to easily order and receive goods from around the world right to their doorstep.

What is international shipping?

International delivery is the process of transporting goods from one country to another. It can involve several stages: cargo collection, packaging, export and import documentation, customs clearance, transportation, and finally, delivery to the end recipient. This type of delivery is often used for business purposes, but recently it has become increasingly accessible and cost-effective for regular consumers, thanks to the growth of online stores and global platforms.

Advantages of buying goods with international delivery

Greater choice of goods

Many goods on the international market may not be available in your country due to low demand, or geographical or legal restrictions. Some goods are produced exclusively for the domestic market and are not exported, so they can only be purchased through overseas orders.

Product quality

Products in international markets are often superior to their local counterparts in terms of quality due to high production standards, innovation, and strict controls in countries such as the USA or Canada. Products from these countries are usually distinguished by the better materials and assembly.

Affordable price

The cost of goods abroad is often lower than in the local market, even when shipping and customs fees are taken into account. This is especially true for goods that are shipped directly from the manufacturer or countries with low production costs. Additional benefits can be obtained during periods of mass discounts when prices are reduced by tens of percent.

Early access to new products

Often new products are first released in the country of origin and only then become available in other countries. This especially applies to electronics, clothing, and cosmetics. Thanks to cheap international shipping, users can receive new products long before they officially appear on the local market, avoiding waiting and possible shortages.

Transportation methods

Transportation methods are selected depending on the characteristics and requirements of the goods. For heavy or bulky goods, container shipping on cargo ships is usually used. Light and small goods can be transported on pallets by air for fast delivery. It is also important to take into account the fragility of the product and its value, which often determines the choice of special packaging and protective materials for ship internationally.

Some nuances with the delivery of goods

When using international parcel shipping, it is important to consider the categories of prohibited and restricted items in a particular country. These categories include items that, for various reasons, cannot be shipped or are subject to special transport or regulatory conditions.

Prohibited goods

Prohibited goods are items that are completely forbidden to be transported between countries or regions due to their dangerous, illegal, or harmful properties. The prohibition of such goods is intended to ensure safety, prevent illegal activities, and protect health and the environment. The list of these items may vary depending on the country you are buying from and sending to, but in general, it has similar elements:

• Controlled Substances: All types of narcotic and psychotropic substances, including medicines containing narcotic ingredients.
• Perishable Food Items: Foods that spoil quickly and require special storage conditions, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and animal origin( meat, dairy products, eggs).
  
• Pet Food & Treats: Food and treats for pets can be a health risk, so some countries prohibit the shipment of these items.
  
• Alcoholic Beverages: Alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and spirits may be prohibited for shipment or require special licenses.
  
• Tobacco and Vapes: Tobacco products and vapes, including cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, and e-cigarette liquids, are subject to strict regulation.
  
• Animals and Plants: Animals and plants require constant care and cannot survive long deliveries.
  
• Indecent and Offensive Materials: Pornographic materials and materials that violate local censorship laws, such as images or texts with obscene content.
  
• Currency and Monetary Instruments: Currency and financial instruments such as cash, securities, and other monetary instruments.
  
• Agricultural Products: Agricultural products such as seeds, fertilizers, and plants may be a source of pests or violate health regulations.
  

Restricted goods

Restricted goods, on the other hand, can be shipped, but their transport is subject to strict regulations and requirements such as licenses or certifications. Compliance with these regulations is critical to ensure safe, legal, and efficient transport.

Medicines: Many medicines require special temperature conditions and their shipment may require special authorization or documentation.

Goods with potentially dangerous properties: For example, perfumes, various aerosols, batteries, and electrical devices containing lithium. These may require special packaging and labeling.

Health and personal care products: Vitamins, cosmetics, personal care, certain foods, and beverages.

Important shipping documents for the client and delivery service

If you bought a certain product, chose the best international shipping for you, and ordered shipping, then after this important shipping documents are formed, without which the provision of services is impossible: bills of lading, commercial invoices, and packing lists, each serving a unique and indispensable role.

Bill of lading

It is a key document in international shipping, playing a central role in the cargo transportation process. It serves several important functions at once. First, the bill of lading acts as a receipt for the goods from the sender and confirms that the goods have been accepted for transportation. Second, it is a legal contract between the sender and the carrier, outlining the terms of the shipment and the rights of both parties. This document ensures compliance with all agreed-upon terms, including delivery times and liability for the cargo.

Сommercial invoice

A commercial invoice includes information such as the description of the goods, quantity, unit price, total value, terms of sale, and delivery conditions. This document is necessary for determining the customs value of the goods and calculating customs duties and taxes, making it a central element in the import and export process.

Packing list

A packing list contains information about each item in a consignment, including the number of units, description of the goods, dimensions, and weight. It can also include the packing number and packing method, which makes it easier to unload and sort goods on delivery. This document helps avoid losses and shortages and simplifies the process of returning goods if necessary. When a shipment is received, the packing list is used to check against the actual contents, allowing possible discrepancies or damage to be detected before the receiving process is completed.

Special shipping document: Insurance Certificate

This document is used when you choose the optional insurance option to protect your goods. It confirms that you have insurance coverage and provides compensation in the event of loss or damage to your goods during transport. A certificate of insurance is required when transporting valuable, fragile, or risky items.

Conclusion

International shipping is an important tool that blurs borders between countries, but it has its limitations. Before ordering, it is advisable to find out which items are prohibited or restricted in the country of dispatch or to consult with the international courier service. This will help avoid delivery problems and may suggest alternatives in other countries.