How Long Does International Shipping Take?

How long does international shipping take? If you want to know the reasons for delays in international shipping and how long does international shipping take on average, this guide is for you. 

International shipping: a peek into the business and delays

The world is booming with new ideas and businesses- products and services launched every single day. Undoubtedly, with the expansion of the customer base going global is just a matter of time. With global internet connectivity, a flourishing business inevitably gets access to thousands of potential customers. This brings the need for a shipping company to ship products far and wide. 

The important thing is to keep the reputation of the company as well as commitment and deadline of delivery intact. Importing and exporting goods between different countries via ocean, air, or over the road can be a tricky business. This is because it comes accompanied by many rules and regulations, and is highly vulnerable to unforeseen circumstances. In short, it can be complex, as countries have a different set of rules and regulations for different products border-wise. 

The plight is indistinguishable if an online retailer or a customer does not get their due shipment in time. The business faces intense embarrassment for not being able to ensure smooth and on-time delivery, hence staining the performance level. This ruins the relationship between a business and a buyer, for time and commitment are the key. especially with an online retailer, as a chain of buyers and sellers get dependent on a particular delivery.

Available options for international shipping

Various ways of shipping have surely given the consumer a lot more choice for international shipments. You can ship by air, using a plane, or by sea, using a ship. Each option has its strengths and weaknesses so you need to determine what exactly you are looking for. The choice depends on what is being delivered. Each of these methods varies from the other based on time, reliability, safety for the container, and, the cost of the delivery. 

Can you blame COVID-19 for the delays in international shipping?

Since the day the pandemic struck the globe, it became an excuse for any delayed shipments. It became a common practice to stay out of accountability criteria when it came to owning the delayed shipments. The pandemic was to be blamed. However, like all innovative and dynamic businesses should do, the way to improvisation was always open. It lay in finding out the most trustworthy companion when it comes to international shipping. Companies who looked into the issue with a lot of consideration brainstormed the best solutions. Moreover, companies taking those measures were the ones that stayed afloat in the most tumultuous times.

Is everything allowed for international shipping?

Talking of the goods you can ship internationally, you can ship almost anything internationally. However, you cannot ship anything inflammable, which might include sanitizers, perfumes, dry ice, or alcohol via international shipping. Marijuana or any other drugs, airbags, poison, cigarettes, ammunition, or nail polish also come under the banner of prohibited products. You can ship anything that is off the radar of the banned stuff via international shipping.

What causes delays in international shipping?

International shipments` delivery on time depends on a lot of factors. The most important thing that you have to do is massive paperwork, which requires experience and patience. There are other factors too, that delay international shipments and may cause the company to lose potential buyers. Below is a detailed list of such factors, the removal of which, can result in effective and efficient international shipping. 

Clearance from the Customs

International shipping depends on the rules and regulations set by the customs departments, which are proactive, vigilant, and stringent in enforcing the guidelines of their country’s customs. Simply put, the process means that the customs will issue a clean chit to all products initially. This is done to determine their eligibility to enter the country`s premises. Moreover, they check if the required clearance fee has been paid, by examining closely the paperwork. Most of the technical delays result in this phase when the paperwork is problematic. As a result, it hinders the smooth progression of the package. 

Having the right paperwork is the most important when it comes to international shipping. You should fill the forms provided accurately with all the necessary information, including harmonized codes and product descriptions, wherever necessary. In such difficult and technical phases, businesses are always on the lookout for the experience. An experienced company can do the paperwork excellently, leaving no room for an error, and AES ensures that. We make sure the shipping of your cars becomes hassle-free with meticulous paperwork. 

Shipping Method

The next issue that can delay the shipments is the choice of the right shipment method. It becomes even more crucial when it comes to the safety of the product being delivered. When it comes to international shipping, there are two primary shipment methods: RoRo shipping and Container shipping. RoRo shipping is inarguably one of the most transparent, efficient, quick, and cost-effective methods to ship cars overseas. However, consolidated container shipping adds an extra layer of security for your shipments. The best part with AES is that you don’t need to ponder over which method to choose for shipping your products. We make sure that our highly qualified and experienced agents help you determine the best method for shipping your cars so that you get the price to ship a car overseas, which is light on your pocket but ensures smooth delivery, completely hassle-free. 

Prohibited Items

As per the customs guidelines of each country provided, it is clear as crystal that various countries do not allow the entry of different items. As such, you have to consider the individual countries’ restrictions before shipping anything. It ensures that you are not breaching any custom guidelines for prohibited, restricted, or dangerous items.

Hence, the need for a shipment solution becomes all the more important which is well aware of the shipping procedures, without putting the package through any of these unforeseen or non-predictable barriers. Such a stop may cause the payee to bear a hefty amount of fee for the clearance of their shipment, which is not an ideal situation to have when it comes to building rapport or relationships with customers in a business. Therefore, you should thoroughly check the company’s profile whom you are willing to trust with the shipment of your product. 

You should be aware that if one of the countries that your shipment passes through has restrictions on the items, they will ground your shipment for an indefinite period, which the buyer or the seller will surely not appreciate. This alters UPS ground shipping time, as well as other courier companies’ standard shipping times.

International Shipping Address Format

Shipping can also take more time if you don’t adhere to the prescribed international shipping address formats. All countries have a specific address format and paying attention to this, will ensure that your shipments reach as quickly as possible. Therefore, choose your shipment partner, who knows where to deliver and most importantly, how to state it. 

Other Potential Delivery Issues

There might be many other delivery issues, which can most likely affect both local and international shipping times. To avoid these problematic delays due to delivery issues, there should be no compromise at all in the employment of the services of a shipping company that offers you detailed insights into your shipment status, throughout the time or takes preemptive measures to ensure delivery securely. AES knows how to keep you posted about where your package is and how it is doing, which is one of our strengths. 

This way, AES informs our customers immediately if there is a delay so they know their shipping time estimate will not be valid. Moreover, they will know what the procedure is for different scenarios where delivery is problematic, such as if someone isn’t home at a residential address. Knowing all this information will allow you to take precautionary measures to avoid huge shipping delays, and as a result, save trust, loyalty, and relationships. 

How much does it cost to ship a car overseas?

Many factors are affecting the cost of international car shipping. Shipping distance is one of the primary factors affecting the cost of international shipping. Another factor that affects the cost of international shipping is the mode of shipment. RORO shipping tends to be cheaper whereas container shipping is costlier. The size of your vehicle also affects the overall cost of international shipping since the shipping companies charge you according to the space your car consumes in a ship or container. Finally, import duties and vehicle handling charges affect the final quote for international shipping. 

Why Choose AES for international shipping?

Expertise in customs clearance for international shipping

What makes AES unique for your shipments is a thorough knowledge and understanding of the international shipment procedure and the Customs Guidelines provided by various countries. We have a reputation for the quality of our paperwork, smooth, efficient, detailed, and to the point, which makes our clients feel happy and relieved. 

Hassle-free shipments

We ensure the establishment of a connection of trust and faith, which connects us to our clients. Your car is our car. We make sure that you know about its whereabouts all the time without fail. Our representatives keep you posted throughout the delivery duration, and you are relieved from the confines of your home when you know that you have made the right choice. 

Different shipping options

We offer you a wide range of delivery options as per the size, assembling, health, and the number of your cars. Our agents help you choose what shall be the best option for the car, travel, and your pocket. We know that you earn it the hard way, and that’s why we plan to keep it close. 

Complete transparency in international shipping costs

We know that international shipping involves import/ export charges as a part of the international car shipping cost, and this also includes customs clearance fees, duties, and related charges, which are equally applicable for both import and export, along with the additional local handling fees, if required. The experts at A.E.S Inc. ensure that complete transparency and updating of the fee about the shipment is communicated with you. We do not surprise you unpleasantly. Our team also helps with proper documentation to avoid any unnecessary expenses due to incorrect customs declarations.

Expedited international shipping services 

We provide expedited shipping, in case there is a hurry to ship a car, in comparison to the usual shipping duration, which lies somewhere in between 3 to 12 weeks. We are known for the extra mile we go in satisfying the needs of our clients and making sure that the job is done right. However, this change in speed may significantly increase the overall cost to ship a car overseas. In that case, we suggest that you plan so you can manage a few weeks without your vehicle.

Our services are reliable throughout the year

We deal with seasonal factors such as demands and availability of carriers, on our own, without putting you through the hassle of going through the ordeal. For instance, the cost of container shipping is generally higher between August to September and January to February due to higher demands. We suggest you plan your shipments keeping that in mind. 

AES can be trusted when it comes to car shipping. We have managed to create a mark in the field of car shipping with our excellent services.