There are several reasons that you may be in need of international shipping. These could include a change in employment, a student study abroad or an international trip lasting several months or longer.
Regardless of your reason for needing these services, shipping items internationally can become a headache if you don't know customs issues related to the move. This is one reason you should use a professional shipping broker, but here are some other reasons to consider as well.
One of the reasons that many people choose to use a professional customs brokerage service is directly linked to the entry procedures for various countries. For the United States, there are several steps, items of paperwork and clearing procedures that must be met before anything can be imported or exported internationally.
This can change at any given time due to security levels for the country or for security directly connected to exporting to other nations. A professional customs brokerage will be aware of any of these entry procedures and requirements that someone in the general public may overlook during shipping.
If you are in the military or if you have shipped larger amounts of items in the past, then you may be familiar with a bill of lading. These forms have you itemize the items being shipped and classify them for proper admission into the area they are being shipped to. This helps the customs workers decide if an item can be admitted into the nation or exported from your current location.
A professional broker will have not only the proper forms for this, but they will also be able to look at your items and let you know immediately if an item will not meet the proper classification for exporting internationally. This knowledge can save you not only time but also expense, as it will prevent you from shipping an item that will only have to be shipped back.
If you have shipped items in the past, you may be used to shipping smaller packages. These generally require postage and handling fees and are sent on their way through some form of postal service. When you are dealing with larger amounts of items, like a full house of furniture, then the rates as well as the fees and taxes can differ greatly.
In fact, you may be interested to know that each country has their own importation and exportation taxes, and these taxes may vary during the year and according to the type of items being shipped. In addition to these taxes, there are also rates for shipping that may vary according to the type of shipping method you are using.
Yes, it is true that you could crate and pack your own items. The issue with this is that your crating and packing methods may not meet the standards of those required for the country you are shipping the items to.
With that in mind, hiring a professional broker company that also provides packing services can be greatly beneficial. It will help ensure that everything you need is included and that, from packing to shipping, your items will be safe on their journey.
A professional customs brokerage will know the current rates, fees and applicable taxes. This means that when they handle your international shipping and the brokerage of your items, they can give you a more accurate quote to work with. This will allow you to adjust your shipment to fit your budget needs or to at least know what to expect with the shipment and the fees associated with that shipment.
You can now begin to see how using a professional shipping broker may be ideal for your needs. If you are ready to move forward and hire a professional brokerage company,
contact a representative from Dolphin Brokerage International today.
