Shipping domestic is one thing, but going the international route is a whole other story. You may need to ship via air, and that’s not the only mode of transport involved- you may need to use intermodal drayage as well. Shipping air freight may seem complicated, and it can very well be, considering the extra costs and paperwork that springs up. If you’re a beginner to shipping via air, these 3 tips can help you get started!
Your freight will be going on a long, arduous journey overseas, so it’s imperative to invest some time and money into making sure it’s packaged properly. Keep in mind that during the transloading/crossdocking phases, it will be handled multiple times, by multiple hands. This means that besides using cardboard boxes with a sturdy exterior, applying ample amounts of padding, plastic wrap and utilizing pallets are expert ways to give your cargo the extra cushioning it deserves.
Don’t mess around with your cargo measurements, especially when traveling via air! Before your freight is ready to be shipped, go ahead and check the measurements one last time. This is important not only to avoid added fees, but when flying, exact measurements are needed to estimate airplane fuel usage. If the cargo information stated is different from what is weighed at customs, your freight is at risk for being held over until a carrier verification is complete.
When shipping air freight, there are some special documents to keep in mind that may differ from what you’re used to compared with domestic shipping. Do some research and ask your 3PL questions to get an idea about completing the commercial invoice, which regards adding up the total actual market value of your goods and their HTS code.