International shipping can be made simple and efficient if you take the time to understand the process. Be it gifts, personal items, or even sample items for your business, understanding the process allows you to avoid the issues that come along with shipping internationally.
Follow the steps in the guide for a shipping process that is efficient and lacks any unnecessary stress.
Understand the shipping routes
New Zealand being a bit far from other countries can cause shipping delays that other countries may not experience. Understanding the shipping companies (DHL, FedEx, UPS,uk.happy) and their country based postal services is key to successful international shipping.
The shipping methods (Air vs Sea) also play a big role in the shipping speeds and cost. Non-priority and heavy packages should be shipped using the Sea method. Air shipping takes less time but is more expensive.
Be shipping time is less than 10 business days, also consider if your package will run into a delay in customs, and pick a shipping company with good tracking that does business in New Zealand.
Pack Like a Professional
Follow packing instructions to cut costs and avoid delays. Always choose a strong box, like a double wall box.
Fill any gaps inside the box with packing peanuts, paper, or bubble wrap. Outside and inside the box, label everything clearly.
On boxes with fragile items, put a “fragile” and “handle with care” label. Undercutting your parcel’s price can make your carrier more expensive because they often charge based on the size and weight of the parcel, which they calculate volumetrically, and may also surprise the sender.
An interesting note, It may be helpful to take a picture of the inside contents to help settle any potential disputes during or after shipment when you have to show what is inside the parcel.
When send parcel to New Zealand, timing your shipping is important. For best results, avoid the busiest times, like the Christmas and New Years holidays, because the holidays are the busiest and slowest shipment times.
Your shipment will usually be picked up faster and will have fewer delays if you send your shipment on Wednesday.
Master the Documentation Game
Customs paperwork is challenging for most international shipments. New Zealand requires correct invoices, packing lists, and declarations. When declaring values, use honesty, and HS codes to classify items.
If you’re sending gifts or personal effects, a detailed contents list of individual values is required. Documents that are missing and/or incorrect may hold your shipment at the border for weeks. Here is a tip:
digital templates of documents can be found on the websites of shipment carriers. Additionally, check item restrictions that are known to be problematic (i.e., food, plants, batteries, etc.)
To send parcels to New Zealand, biosecurity rules must be understood and followed. New Zealand’s environmental safeguards may cause some materials with organic matter to be immediately rejected.
Before a shipment is sent, do research on items that are allowed to avoid expensive returns.
Keep Track, Insure, and Facilitate
Good tracking is a tool for peace of mind. Be sure the service you choose offers real-time updates and notifications. Good insurance covers losing and/or damaging the shipment.
Do the math to determine how to cover the cost of the insurance. Think of shipping and replacing the value of the shipment.
Finally, be sure to communicate throughout the delivery process. Your recipient needs to know the time the shipment will arrive and what action is expected of them.
The Best Cost-Cutting Tools
The best way to get the best deals is to shop your shipment across different delivery systems. If you can combine multiple shipments into a single delivery shipment, it will usually cost less per item.
Paying the duty up front simplifies the delivery for the recipient. Some of the best deals for infrequent shippers are found in discounted business accounts.
Some delivery systems will offer significant cost savings for less frequent shippers.
Final Checklist Before You Ship
- Check addresses and add the appropriate postcodes
- Check what items are prohibited or restricted
- Print and firmly attach all labels
- Keep a copy of every document
- Book a pickup on a business day
These suggestions limit risk factors and help guarantee the arrival of your parcel. Preparing to ship internationally to particular countries like New Zealand is well worth the effort.
Plan for it early, stay on top of changes, and think of every shipment as a chance to improve your method.