International Shipping & Freight Forwarding Blog

Shippers working in the international trading arena also often ship domestically. For most international freight forwarders, the buck stops with the handling of the international shipments. Even with freight conglomerates, they use different divisions for international and domestic shipping.

For shippers straining to look for domestic air or surface companies, only a few forwarders, like ETC International Freight System, are a one-stop-shop and can handle shipments beyond the international and offer domestic surface and air transportation services for their customers.

Here's why it matters...

What are keys to success when shipping high-value items like jewelry, artwork, and other high dollar items? When it comes to packing, scheduling shipments, labeling, transportation mode, how do these shipments differ from a standard international freight shipment?

To avoid significant loss or damage, we recommend that our shippers pay special attention to service, time-frame, a solid network of dependable agents, tracking system, and security before sending their priceless and high-value items on their way.

Many of you will require international AND domestic shipments from time to time. Conventional thinking suggests that you use an international freight forwarder when shipping overseas and, conversely, seek a domestic transportation company when moving cargo within the US. 

But when searching for shipping solutions, wouldn’t it be a easier and far less taxing to speak with one freight interlocutor with the expertise requirements for international AND domestic shipping?

Trying to make a purchase on Ebay from the US, and need to get your freight shipping ducks in order?

eBay buyers from India requiring a freight network that can accommodate any inland USA pick-ups, warehousing & storage as well as the packing, loading of an ocean container with shipping to any India base ports.

"Weighing in" on your International logistics services

We've covered the issue of cost and how to get the cheapest international freight rates by reviewing whether you should buy your own containers, ship overseas by air or ocean, among many other things that will impact your bottom line, both with your freight forwarding bill, and fees imposed by governing agencies and ports.

Today, it's about weight and density.

Utilizing Warehousing Services Offered by Approved Freight Forwarders will Save You Green & a Whole Lot of Heartburn.

People with long-term, regular international shipping needs should utilize warehousing services offered by approved freight forwarders.  When shipments are constant, you’ll likely need warehouse space to store your cargo all over the planet.

But warehousing can get expensive and rack up quite a few headaches if not handled properly, so here are 7 ways you'll avoid trouble AND save money by bringing in an approved freight forwarder.

Cheap International Shipping: What's the bottom line?

Pricing freight shipping, especially when moving items internationally, can be quite frustrating for those who are unfamiliar with the process.

Identifying the bottom line isn't always a straight-line answer, because there are so many variables at play, which is quite contrary to what we experience when mailing smaller packages and letters. When you send a package via priority mail from California to Vermont, there may be questions about whether you're sending perishables or things that could be hazardous in nature, but it doesn't go much beyond that.

When you send a letter, you don't even have to answer questions. You just drop it in the box with the appropriate level of postage based on weight and size, which are standardized and easy to understand, and don't think twice about it.

When we start to scale our shipments, particularly with international freight, however, simplicity goes out the window, and is replaced with a system that sometimes feels overwhelming.

After all, you'll need to provide details that don't always feel intuitive, and although the specialist you hire will help you get your items to their destination, once we start dealing with large containers and international regulations, those details will be the difference between predictability and uncertainty in your final costs. 

So, to help you wrap your arms around the costs associated with your next international freight shipment, here are 4 things you should consider and be prepared to deal with as you begin the process: