Shipping for Small Businesses: How to Choose the Right Shipping Partner

As a small business, the idea of shipping internationally can feel daunting, particularly if you are still relatively new to the market. However, there is a world of opportunity out there for you to take your brand worldwide if you can take that first step.

Or maybe you’ve already taken your products globally, but want to level-up your customer experience and improve your business operations?

Whatever stage you’re in with your business, understanding how international shipping works is invaluable. But with so many things demanding your time and attention, sometimes it can be hard to make the time to research and remain up to date about the latest shipping processes.

So why not turn to the experts? Shipping companies have decades of experience, plus access to all the latest information you need to start importing or exporting your internationally- all you need to do is find the right one!

Get a quote and ship with MSC today. 

Other factors which you may need to consider when shipping as a small business include:

• Navigating the different customs regulations which can vary significantly from country to country. Especially when you first begin importing or exporting your cargo, these can seem complicated, researching these regulations or working with an experienced shipping partner can help you avoid any issues.
• How to coordinate your supply chain to incorporate various stakeholders and stages of the international shipping process.

While these can seem intimidating, if you’re working with the right shipping company, their team should be on hand to help support you and answer any queries you may have.

Now you understand what challenges you may face; you’re probably wondering how best to start shipping internationally.

Because the international shipping process involves several stages, your overall business strategy may need to change, particularly after the first stage which is market research.

Before your cargo even reaches its destination, you will also need to look at the customs clearance process. In this phase you must submit all relevant documents and pay the required duties and taxes.

Finally, it’s time to focus on getting your products to your customers! Based on your target location and customers, the delivery options you choose may vary. Whether its last mile delivery or warehousing, ultimately you want to ensure your cargo reaches your customers as quickly and safely as possible, so make sure you know what specific delivery options are available with your chosen shipping carrier.

As you may have guessed, the number of stages involved in international shipping can mean that working with an experienced shipping partner is helpful. They can help simplify the process and ensure your first global shipments are as smooth as possible so you can focus on your business operations.

If you’re looking to be even more proactive about your approach to international shipping, there are some other things you can do.

Technology and order management systems (OMS) will be your best friends, as they can help to streamline the process and make your supply chain more efficient. Investing in these is invaluable.

The more knowledge you have about international shipping regulations and market trends the easier you will find making decisions and responding to changes. When trying to ship internationally, timing is often important so building up your understanding is critical.

Communication is king, so establishing strong links between your team and your shipping partner makes it easily to implement any necessary contingency plans.

Finally, you should also look at how your products are packaged to ensure they’re protected during transit. No one likes to receive damaged goods, so mastering the packaging of your products will help you establish a positive brand reputation for delivering excellence within your new target market from the outset.