How to Avoid Common Global Shipping and Logistics Mistakes

As a business owner, you are (rightly) focused on the quality of your product and how it will satisfy your customer when it reaches its destination -- hoping for customer satisfaction and an ongoing relationship.

But spare a thought -- or two -- for the time in between, when your product has left your warehouse and is en route to your customer.

Global logistics and shipping mistakes, sadly, are easily made if you don’t know what to look out for. The good news is that these errors are often easy to identify and correct.

To help you avoid any snags, here are four common global shipping and logistics mistakes -- and how to avoid or fix them.

1.  Choosing the wrong shipping company. There is no one international shipping vendor or method that works in every circumstance. Once you realise that, you can research shipping companies that have established relationships with customs in certain destinations. Choosing a company that meets your criteria may speed delivery to your customers. Check the shipper’s references and ask questions: How many years has it been shipping to that country? How many transactions has it handled? How many employees work on the ground? Most shippers who maintain a strong presence in a country will also have a physical office there.
2. Packing shipments incorrectly and using incorrect addresses. It’s always important to make sure your shipments are packaged correctly to make sure they arrive intact. Find out how many times a shipping container will be handled, and the mode of transportation to be used. Also be aware of regulations on shipping containers in the destination country. Finally, though it seems like a no-brainer, make sure that you have the correct address especially if delivering to a third party!
3. Know who will be shipping your goods. When you contract with a shipping service to ship your product, you might assume that the company will handle the shipping itself. However, that company often turns over the shipment to a shipping management company. Before you hire a shipping company, ask what management company it uses, and find out if the delivery date and/or method is guaranteed.

No matter what your logistics or shipping quandary, Mawson Global can help! We maintain staff in the world’s fastest-growing regions, and we can answer these questions and solve global sourcing problems before they become actual problems. Contact us today and let us show you how we can help grow your business!