As new brands enter the marketplace daily, many e-commerce businesses are looking for ways to expand their reach. Luckily, expansion no longer requires a physical storefront.

If you’re looking to grow your business, shipping beyond American borders may be a smart move if it's aligned with your business plan. While it may seem complicated, international shipping is easier than you think. What’s more, you don’t need to know every rule and regulation, but you do need to understand the options available to find an approach that works for you and the people that can help you along the way. That’s where partnering with a global logistics company comes into play.

Below, we explain how partnering with a global logistics provider can simplify the handling and shipping of goods across borders, so you can sell more.

But first, what is a global Logistics company?

A global logistics company can coordinate all–or some–of the steps of transporting goods from where they’re made to their end destination. Additionally, they help businesses ship and deliver parcels throughout the world to grant companies global trade access. They handle the product from the point of origin to the final destination.

A global logistics company like IBC offers everything from logistics and cargo to customs brokerage and e-commerce services designed to make the process of transporting your goods to new markets even easier.

Handling All Logistics Paperwork on Your Behalf

To ship internationally as an e-commerce business, you want to work with someone who understands the paperwork involved. While not all cross border shipments require you to file, many parcels need the proper customs declaration form to ensure clearance.

For low value goods, the customs declaration form is often part of the shipping label, signifying the details of the goods being imported or exported from destination to destination.

Other documents that may be involved with international shipping, include:

• U.S. customs invoice.
• Airway Bill or Bill of lading.

Let Professionals Handle Customs

Many companies do not ship across borders in an attempt to avoid customs. This is because there are several rules and regulations governing entry from one country to another, which makes it challenging for companies to enter new markets if they don’t quite understand how to export or import their products.

For example, Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) and Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) are terms for international shipments that pertain to the party responsible for payments. Without a basic understanding of these requirements for customs, you're bound to experience hiccups in your shipping process that could cause delays.

A global logistics provider with in-house customs brokerage services can help guide you through the complexities of international shipping to ensure faster clearance. They can even help you with section 321 or type 86 entries and much more. Additionally, customs brokers make sure the paperwork is precise, and duties and taxes are paid by the correct parties to help you avoid shipping delays and penalties.

Delivering Customized E-Commerce Solutions

There are a number of expenses related to sending packages across borders, but if cost is keeping you from shipping internationally, think again, because we may have a solution fitting your budget.

Unlike larger integrators and carriers that provide a one-size-fits-all approach to shipping, providers like IBC can create custom solutions for e-commerce companies that could reduce shipping costs and improve delivery times.

For instance, with ocean cargo, you don’t have to worry about filling an entire container. Instead, your goods can be packaged and delivered with other shipments to save you money.

This is ideal for businesses in the beauty, health, and the wellness spaces looking to consolidate shipments for transport. Other companies that benefit from this type of offering include retailers, since their packages are generally smaller in size and weight and can be shipped via air or ocean for faster transit times.

By having a global logistics provider help manage every step of your supply chain, you’ll know all the associated costs upfront, so there are no hidden fees or surcharges down the line.

Reach Global Markets with IBC

We know international shipping can be confusing for e-commerce companies. At IBC, our goal is to simplify your shipping process, so you can focus on doing what you do best – selling. To learn more about our custom global logistics services for e-commerce companies, contact us today to get started.