Are you trying to find a way to improve international shipping for your small business?
Transporting goods across borders is often a huge issue for small businesses and you’ll find that you can lose potential customers if you’re unable to ship goods internationally.
So what are the solutions for shipping and handling overseas? What are the best tips for transporting goods across borders?
Here’s what you should consider:
- Get Insurance
Your first step should be to invest in trucking insurance before you accept any international orders. Insurance helps you compensate customers in case the goods get lost or damaged along the way.
Insurance can also help pay for any related expenses with the delivery service. It can pay for maintenance costs of the truck, travel costs, as well as an injuries or accidents that might occur.
- Always Offer Tracking
Domestic customers can patiently wait for their order to arrive but international customers will anxiously await their delivery!
Always stick to an international shipping and handling company that provides you with a tracking code. Make sure you immediately provide this tracking code to your customer after your process their order.
You also want to give your customers an idea of the transportation route. This is something you’ll have to consult with your delivery service.
For example, let’s say you’re sending goods from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Novi Sad, Serbia. Which is the first country the goods enter after leaving the United States? Will the order arrive in Belgrade, Serbia first before heading to Novi Sad?
If you can provide these answers to your customers it’ll give them peace of mind knowing that they can expect their goods to be delivered on time.
- Offer Tiered Options For Shipping
The next step is to offer tiered shipping options to your customers when they choose shipping options. For example, what happens if your company is based in the northern United States and your customers are based in Toronto, Canada.
While this might still be considered “international shipping” the route is much shorter and simpler. As a result, you should offer a low-price shipping option to such customers. If they place a larger order then consider offering free shipping.
On the other hand, you’ll have many international customers who’ll need their order as fast as possible. Offer them options for expedited shipping. If they are regular customers, consider offering a subscription service that gives them fast shipping on every order.
Consider also offering discounts on shipping if your customers order on a regular basis.
That’s How to Succeed At Transporting
Now you know how to succeed at transporting your goods for international customers. Follow the steps in this guide to grow your business on a global scale.
You want to start by buying insurance for your trucks to ensure you can compensate for potential issues. You should always offer tracking services as well.
Ensure that you offer tiered shipping options for your customers. Find ways to offer discounted or free options to your loyal customers.
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