What You Need to Know if You’re a First-Time Importer or Exporter

If you’re a first-time importer or exporter, you may be a bit clueless as to what you need to do to successfully make or receive shipments from abroad.

Importing and exporting are not simple processes. There are many steps which are meant to ensure that these processes are carried out correctly.

Looking for some tips on exporting or importing shipments?

Here ‘s what you need to know if you’re a first-time importer or exporter.

Containers Go Through Extreme Environments

What several first-time importers or exporters don’t realize is that their shipping containers can go through rather extreme environments in terms of weather and climate.

Whereas some shipments can end up in 100-degree temperatures down in South America, others can wind up in freezing temperatures in Greenland. Humidity and moisture exposure are other conditions to think about.

When you ship a container, you never know what it’s going to experience on its trip. Package your container so that it can withstand different environments.

Organic Contents Must be Labeled

If you’re shipping organic items, such as plants, vegetables, fruits, and otherwise, you need to make sure that the box that they’re shipped in is labeled with as much detail as possible.

Don’t simply write “organic” on the shipment label. If you’re shipping apples, specify that you’re shipping apples.

Each country has different rules, which determines how they handle certain types of shipments. Labeling your shipping containers correctly will ensure that they’re shipped as smooth as possible with fewer delays in customs.

You’re Going to Need Shipping Insurance

One of the necessary evils of exporting and importing is acquiring insurance for potentially damaged items.

It’s a simple fact of the process that goods will be damaged. They go through far too much wear and tear to not be on occasion. Not to mention, warehouse workers often must open packages to inspect them. Anything could happen to items after their packaging has been opened.

There are a few different types of insurance that you need to export and import goods, including cargo insurance and export credit risk insurance.

The Government Can Help

Exporting and importing goods is not a job that you should undertake all alone. In the United States, the federal government offers quite a bit of assistance in all exporting and importing tasks.

The agency handling these tasks is the U.S. Commercial Service, which has numerous locations across the U.S. and in foreign countries.

This service will help you handle any regulations that must be met to export and import goods in a timely manner.

Different Countries Have Different Rules

When you’re importing and exporting goods, it’s important to remember that every country has its own importing and exporting rules.

If you’re not keeping up with these rules, the progress of your packages can be stopped and money might be lost.

Make sure to read up on the rules and regulations of shipping to and from the country that you’re dealing with before sending your first shipment.

Looking for a Professional Importer or Exporter?

Perhaps you’re not interested in trying to import or export your shipments? Maybe you’d be more comfortable putting the task into the hands of a professional?

If so, we here at Atlanta Custom Brokers can help. We have a bevy of services for both importers and exporters, and know exactly what to do to make the process go as smoothly as possible.

Contact us today to simplify your exporting or importing experience!