Shipment of freight is a costly procedure, and businesses associated with international shipping and transportation of goods and products overseas are very much aware of the huge financial costs. However, more than 80% of the world’s trade is internationally shipped from one destination to another. Over the past three decades, world trade showed that shipping costs directly impact the rising prices of products and influence the world’s economy. It is also noteworthy that the rise in freight shipping costs is one of the factors causing inflation, but the effects are not immediately felt.
For example, the significant increase in shipping costs that were observed in the past couple of years due to Covid-19 and other related factors is a major cause of the inflation the world is witnessing today. The increased costs of shipments drastically influence the rise of prices of oil and food worldwide. As a result, customers are suddenly faced with an immense rise in the prices of all products. If your line of work is related to the trading business then you must consider the transportation costs. Read through our article to know how to find the cheapest way to ship internationally.
Shipping By Sea
When trying to find the cheapest way for shipping goods you have to consider the value, capacity, weight, and packaging of your products. Product weight is calculated in two ways: the actual weight and dimensional weight. A chargeable weight calculator can do the calculations to determine the cost of your shipment if it’s light and small in dimensions. As a general rule, sea or ocean freight is way cheaper in international shipping rates than air cargo. However, the restrictions, regulations, and transport laws control the means by which your goods are going to be internationally transported. Speaking about restrictions, the list of restricted goods transported as air cargo is a never-ending one due to safety reasons.
The Importance of Using International Shipping Calculator
In order to get the best shipping costs for your products, you should use the international shipping calculator. Using the international shipping calculator is effortless and uncomplicated. All you have to do is enter all the information about your shipments, such as the weight, dimensions, destination, and any other factors that impact the shipping cost. The type of goods and their origin also count, and you can compare international shipping costs here to get an estimated cost for your shipment. Choosing among options for packaging also helps with the cost reduction of shipping. Depending on the weight and dimensions of your products, you can select what fits better and charge less.
Get Rid of Huge Packaging
Most of our products come in huge packaging and boxes from manufacturers. The large boxes occupy larger space, therefore, the cost of shipping will be raised for no good reason. If the products you need to ship can endure transport in reduced packaging without causing any damage, then it’s recommended to request the removal of the original manufacturer boxes from your shipping company to get a better delivery quote.
Benefits of Using a Freight Forwarder
One of the cheapest methods of international shipping is finding the right freight forwarder for your shipment. A freight forwarder is a company that acts as an intermediate agent for handling the process and procedures of shipping, including customs and other additional costs like door-to-port delivery. Usually, companies offering this service vary in price, however, you have to make sure that the freight forwarder you choose covers all charges in their delivery quote. Don’t get too excited to find someone who offers a very low cost, since you may end up paying for additional service that wasn’t covered in the price you were offered. Before you proceed, confirm with the freight forwarder that all services are covered in the quote.
Do Not Under Evaluate Your Products
Some people think that by under-evaluating their products they can reduce the cost of shipping. This isn’t the smartest thing to do since, by doing so, you risk being subject to imposed penalties. The risk of under-evaluating your freight shipment can escalate to being permanently banned from shipping internationally. We strongly advise that all the information and documentation of your shipment is accurate to avoid risking legal liability.
Utilize Technical Alternatives
Documentation and paperwork are time and money-consuming, most people don’t realize the benefits of using technical alternatives to facilitate the applicable procedures, such as documentation. Electronic documentation is one of the greatest tips that reduce the cost of freight shipping, you don’t have to pay for additional costs like paperwork and printing several copies of the same documents. Choosing a shipping company that allows electronic documentation for their shipping procedures will make the entire process a lot easier, more efficient, and much more affordable.
Look for Shipping Offers
If you’re not tied up with a particular schedule for your delivery, wait for special offers provided by shipping companies. There are seasons throughout the year when international freight shipping companies make special offers and grant discounts. It’s smart to take advantage of this time to proceed with your shipment process.
Freight shipping costs have a direct impact on the rise of prices of several vital products. For people who are working in the field of export and import of goods, this can be a serious complication that can affect their business. Nowadays, shipping costs can be an obstacle for transporting products internationally, however, there are ways to find cheaper offers for this service. One of the best tips to find the most convenient delivery quote for your shipment is by using the international shipping calculator. All you have to do is enter all your shipment data, weight, dimensions, destination, and so forth; you’ll receive several options. When you get to choose a freight forwarder, you need to look into the services they offer and see if all charges are included in the delivery quote. If the time factor doesn’t play a significant role in your shipment delivery schedule, you can wait until international freight companies offer discounts on shipping services.