If your business is going to be shipping crates internationally, you should be aware of the various requirements. Unfortunately, there is more that needs to be done than simply placing the products in a crate before shipping them. You must follow certain steps in order to be in compliance. Not only is this process necessary due to international import and export regulations for each country, but it is also necessary to keep your shipments properly protected from possible damage while being transported from country to country. Here is an overview of international crating requirements so you can ensure your business is following the proper guidelines.
Getting through customs
The process of getting shipments past customs is complicated, and you must be knowledgeable of what is expected before shipping any packages internationally, especially crates. Each country has its own rules and regulations regarding international shipments, so make sure you're familiar with the rules of the countries you're shipping to in advance. This can certainly make things a lot easier and less stressful.
Ensuring that you're aware of what is expected when sending packages internationally is important, as you don't want any mistakes to result in your shipments being delayed. Even seemingly trivial mistakes such as leaving something blank on the customs form or completing all or part of the form incorrectly could result in delay or rejection of a shipment. Sometimes delays are unavoidable in instances where there is inclement weather or some other issue not under your control. However, if a shipment is delayed because you failed to follow customs regulations, this could reflect negatively on your business and even cause your customers to look elsewhere for products in the future. This is why many businesses use reliable international packing services to get the job done right the first time.
Proper documentation
The list of required documentation that needs to accompany international crate shipments is extensive, and again, you must be accurate and thorough in your descriptions in all the required documentation, as even one inaccuracy could result in delay or rejection. Here is a list of the required documentation when shipping crates overseas.
- Bill of lading - this is a detailed list of the goods included in the crate. This is usually in the form of a receipt and is considered an agreement between the carrier and the shipper
- Certificate of origin - the origin of the goods may differ from where they were purchased, so be sure you provide correct origin information
- Certificate of insurance - the insurance on the crate must be verifiable and be purchased from a reputable insurance company
- Commercial invoice - this form is similar to a bill of lading, but the commercial invoice differs due to the fact that the commercial invoice must often include a statement certifying that the invoice is accurate, as well as a list of the parties involved in the shipment, and more
- Warehouse and dock receipts - this form is necessary to prove ownership of a shipment. It is provided upon leaving the warehouse or dock and must remain with your shipments at all times
- Consular invoice - this invoice must not only include a detailed list of the goods being shipped, but it must also include the purchase price of all the goods, the number of goods, and more
- Destination control statement - this is a legal document stating that the goods that are being shipped are destined for the stated country
- Export packing list - while many of these forms may seem redundant, each one is required and one cannot be used as a substitution for another document. An export packing list is a detailed list of each item included in the packaged crate, as well as other packaging details
- Inspection certification - this form is necessary to prove that your shipping crate has been properly inspected and that the goods meet certain criteria. A passed inspection certifies that the items, quantity, and other specifics are accurate
- Export license - not all goods require an export license, which allows certain entities to freely export certain goods, so before you begin the shipping process you need to determine if such a license is necessary
Getting your shipments properly de-bugged and stamped
Whenever shipping crates and other packages that are made of wood, the shipments must be treated with a specific chemical known as methyl bromide. Methyl bromide is an organic compound that controls insects, rodents, fungi, and more. Once a reputable company treats your shipments with this chemical compound, your shipments will receive a stamp of approval, declaring that your packages are in compliance with this requirement. This stamp is often referred to as the "bug stamp."
Deciding to invest in the services of a customs broker
As you can see, the process of shipping crates internationally is very comprehensive and could be stressful, especially if you're new to the business. That is why there are customs brokers available who can handle every aspect of your international shipments while ensuring that they arrive at their destinations undamaged and in a timely manner. If you're shipping a one-time crate overseas, then you likely don't want to hire a customs broker, as you should be able to complete all the steps once. However, if you're going to be sending regular shipments of crates overseas, or any other types of international ships, it would be a very wise decision to invest in the services of a reputable customs broker.
Kaiser & Johnson is a reputable customs broker with years of experience handling various types of international shipments for many different clients. Kaiser & Johnson is knowledgeable of all the customs procedures necessary to ship any type of package, regardless of where it's going. That is why many clients rely on Kaiser & Johnson because they have a positive history of providing the absolute best service. They ensure that every package arrives at its expected destination, on time and in good condition, unless a weather-related issue were to occur.
So, if you're trying to decide on a good customs broker, you should consider contacting Kaiser & Johnson to inquire about their services. Their rates are reasonable, and their services are priceless. You won't have to worry about unexpected delays related to improper or incomplete customs forms, or the simple time-consuming, and sometimes confusing process of preparing multiple crates to ship to different international destinations. There is a great deal of paperwork involved and it's easy to miss something vital. Allow Kaiser & Johnson to manage all of your international shipping needs, and you won't have to worry about missing any forms, completing forms incorrectly, or anything else. They will expertly handle all your international shipping needs.
