What is International Shipping? How Does It Work?

What is International Shipping? How Does It Work?

International shipping refers to the process of transporting goods between countries via ocean, air, or road. It’s a complex system that involves crossing borders, adhering to various rules, and ensuring customs clearance is properly handled. To successfully import or export goods, companies must follow a step-by-step breakdown of the shipping process, including freight handling, documentation processes, and shipment tracking. Choosing the right freight forwarding service is essential to ensure smooth delivery and avoid delays.

What is the International Shipping Definition?

International shipping is more intricate than domestic shipping because each country has its own laws and regulations. Some countries impose stricter controls than others and may even ban specific products from being imported. Beyond the legal requirements, other factors—such as timely customs clearance, language barriers, currency exchanges, and handling import/export haulage—make international transportation more challenging than domestic freight.

In addition, freight handling and documentation processes are more rigorous in international shipping. These involve careful coordination between exporters, freight forwarders, customs agents, and importers to ensure that shipments meet all regulatory requirements.

The 7 Steps of International Shipping

The process of international shipping can be broken down into seven key steps. These steps cover documentation, communication, transport, and goods handling. Each step ensures the shipment moves smoothly from the shipper to the consignee, reducing delays and keeping costs down.

Step 1: Export Haulage

Export haulage involves moving the goods from the shipper’s location to the freight forwarder’s warehouse. This can be done by truck, rail, or other transportation methods. Managing import/export haulage properly is important to ensure the goods reach the port on time.


Step 2: Clear Export Customs

Before the goods leave the country, they must pass through export customs. This means preparing the right documents, like the Bill of Lading, commercial invoices, and certificates of origin. A customs broker or an agent handles this process, making sure all export rules are followed. A clear customs clearance process helps avoid delays and keeps the shipment moving smoothly.


Step 3: Export Handling

Once the goods clear customs, they go through export handling. This step includes loading the goods into containers and moving them to the port or airport. It’s important that the cargo is packed properly and ready for ocean freight or air freight transport.


Step 4: Ocean Freight or Air Freight

The shipment is now transported by either ocean freight shipping or air freight. Shipping by sea is cheaper, especially for large or heavy items, while air freight is quicker but costs more. Companies need to think about costs and urgency when deciding between the two.

For example:

  • Air Freight: Best for smaller shipments that need to arrive quickly, but it’s more expensive.
  • Ocean Freight: Ideal for larger loads and offers better savings, especially for big shipments.

This comparison of air vs. sea freight helps businesses choose the option that suits them best.


Step 5: Clear Import Customs

When the goods arrive in the destination country, they need to clear import customs. Just like with export customs, this step involves submitting the right documents and paying any duties or taxes. The goods will stay in a customs warehouse until the paperwork is done. A smooth customs clearance process at this stage is important to avoid delays.


Step 6: Import Handling

After passing customs, the goods undergo import handling. This includes unloading the containers, transporting them to a warehouse, and getting them ready for delivery. Proper handling at this stage ensures that the cargo stays intact and is prepared for the final delivery.


Step 7: Import Haulage

The last step is import haulage, where the goods are delivered to the consignee’s location. This can be done by truck or rail, depending on the distance and type of goods. Once the shipment reaches the consignee, the shipment tracking ends, and the consignee takes over. Ensuring timely delivery is key to keeping customers happy and maintaining a smooth supply chain.

What Are the Freight Forwarding Processes?

There are multiple methods of international shipping, and each depends on the nature of the goods and the destination. The primary methods include air freight, sea freight, express courier services, and rail freight. Below are the step-by-step freight forwarding processes for each method:

Air Freight Forwarding Process

  1. Request quotes and submit your order.
  2. Pack your cargo and book your shipment.
  3. The freight forwarder arranges the shipment.
  4. Goods go through export customs clearance and are placed in transit.
  5. Cargo is transported from the airport to the buyer’s location.

Ocean Freight Forwarding Process

  1. Export haulage: The goods are moved from the shipper to the freight forwarder’s warehouse.
  2. Customs clearance: Documents are submitted to relevant authorities for clearance.
  3. Origin handling: Inspection and loading of cargo at the supplier’s warehouse.
  4. Sea freight: The freight forwarder books a shipping line for port-to-port transportation. This step includes costs like currency adjustment surcharges and exchange rate fees.
  5. Import customs clearance: This can begin before the cargo arrives. It’s managed by a customs house broker.
  6. Destination handling: Cargo is unloaded and transported from the port to the final warehouse.
  7. Import haulage: The goods are delivered to the consignee.

Express Courier Shipping Process

  1. Seller delivers the order to a local depot.
  2. Courier collects the order from the depot.
  3. Courier transports the package to the delivery area.
  4. Package is delivered to the customer at home or work.
  5. Courier returns to the depot for more deliveries or completes the shift.

Rail Freight Transport Process

  1. Acceptance of the consignment: The shipper submits an application and a cargo waybill to the station.
  2. Distribution plan: The freight forwarder and shipper coordinate the movement of containers based on destination and quantity.
  3. Cargo packing: Goods are packed in containers either inside or outside the station.
  4. Carrier acceptance: The station accepts the container cargo and stamps the waybill.
  5. Loading and transportation: The station handles the handover of international rail freight, manages document translation, and calculates transportation costs.
  6. Arrival and delivery: Goods are unloaded at the destination, inspected, and delivered to the consignee.

International Road Freight Transport Process

  1. Accepting the Consignment: The shipper initiates the process by submitting an application and a cargo waybill to the trucking freight forwarder.
  2. Planning the Distribution: The freight forwarder and shipper work together to plan the movement of containers based on the cargo readiness date and quantity requirements.
  3. Packing the Cargo: Goods are carefully packed into dedicated truck depending on LTL or FCL, ensuring they are secure for transit.
  4. Loading and Transportation: The Truck Freight Forwarder takes charge of international road freight, oversees document translations, and calculates transportation costs for the journey.
  5. Crossing International Borders: As the shipment crosses different country borders, meticulous paperwork and customs documents need to be prepared well in advance and verified before the goods arrive.
  6. Arrival and Delivery: Upon reaching the door delivery in destination, the goods are unloaded, inspected for quality and quantity, by consignee, completing the international road freight transport process.

Freight Forwarding Process Flow Chart

A freight forwarding process flow chart can help visualize the entire shipping process, from the initial order to the final delivery. This flow chart simplifies the process and highlights key steps, ensuring businesses can track the progress of their international shipments and optimize shipping costs.

Freight Forwarding Process Flow Chart

Why Choose the Super International Shipping Freight Forwarding Service?

Super International Shipping is one of the leading freight forwarding companies in China. We offer comprehensive services that cover the entire shipping process, from export haulage to customs clearance and final delivery. Our team is highly experienced in handling all types of cargo and ensuring that shipments arrive on time and within budget.

We also offer specialized services, such as charter flights to Europe and the United States, helping to reduce costs and avoid delays during peak seasons. Our goal is to provide cost-effective shipping solutions that meet your business needs.

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