As an eCommerce business owner, you have to be familiar with the unique rules and regulations of different territories regarding shipping and logistics, especially for long distances.
If you want to master the international market, here are some things you have to consider about overseas logistics and delivery.
1. Use the Right Packaging
When shipping to a foreign country, you have to ensure that your products are protected from damage.
To do this, you should use the packaging that best fits the needs of your products. It should be secure enough to protect the product from getting damaged.
You can find the proper packaging in packaging supply stores that offer worldwide shipping. You can also use a packaging calculator to create customized packaging that is right for your products.
2. Label the Package Carefully
A label is an essential part of your package. Marking the package with the right address and label saved a shipment from being returned to the sender.
To avoid confusion, you should be extra careful when printing labels because the wrong kind of label can cause a delay in shipping.
3. Research the Shipping Laws of Your Destination Country
Long-distance shipping requires you to know the exact shipping laws in the countries where your products are headed. It will help you avoid being penalized or getting your shipment confiscated.
It is best to research the specific shipping rules in the destination country, and these will vary depending on the country.
4. Weigh Your Items Precisely
To avoid extra charges, you must understand how international shipping charges work.
The way it works is that the items are weighed before they leave your country and then again when they arrive in the destination country. If there’s a difference, you will get charged for the balance. To avoid being charged for extra weight, ensure that your item is packaged properly and is not leaking or giving off excess moisture.
5. Choose the Right Shipping Partner
You must choose the right shipping partner because they may affect how your shipment is handled and treated. Consider their price packages, delivery times, and the reviews of past customers.
You should choose a shipping partner according to the needs of your business and products. In any case, you must choose a reliable shipping partner and one that you can trust.
6. Be Transparent with Your Customers
Long-distance shipping can sometimes confuse your customers, especially if the shipment is delayed. They may ask questions like “Where is my package?” or “Who is handling my package?”.
To prevent this from happening, you should let your customers know what is happening with the packages or items. If you can, provide them with photos, tracking numbers, and shipping updates.
7. Invest in a Solid Customer Service Team
For your customers to have a great experience when shopping online, you should have a reliable customer service team. It is best that you create a customer service team that knows their jobs, is committed to their work, and is backed up by a great supervisor.
If you can’t build a team yet, consider outsourcing virtual customer service representatives for your company.
Final Thoughts
The shipping industry has been making a significant impact in the eCommerce business, and it is expected to become more advanced as time passes. Whether it is land, air, or water, shipping is a crucial part of any eCommerce business and essential for meeting your customers’ demands.
Bring your customer service to the next level by hiring 24H Virtual. You can outsource customer service with our team of experts, so you can update delivery progress and address customer concerns right away.
