Container ships and cargo planes have been transporting goods worldwide for decades. And with the growth of the internet, doing business globally has never been easier. But what most people don’t realize is that there are many common misconceptions about global logistics.
Shipping things from one country to another can be a little confusing at first, but once you understand the rules, it becomes easy.
This blog post will help you to understand some of the common myths and misconceptions that people (and companies) believe about global logistics.
- 1. You Can Ship Anything From One Country to Another
In reality, the shipping service business has many regulations to protect consumers from harmful products or from getting ripped off by shoddy deals. In most countries, businesses can only import a restricted list of goods.
Also, certain countries have a list of restricted items that they prohibit from importation. One example is Bangladesh which does not allow second-hand clothing to get imported.
Other countries have strict regulations about importing beef and livestock, while some won’t let you bring in used cars. In addition, when exporting goods from one country to another, there are often strict rules about what they allow to leave the country’s borders.
You also have to ensure that all your packaging and paperwork are in order if a customs inspector examines it when you try to cross the border with your shipment.
- 2. All You Need Is a Few Forms and Customs Will Just Wave Your Shipment Through
The truth is that importing and exporting cargo has many laws and rules. They apply depending on the size of your shipment, its contents, where it’s coming from and where it’s going. Cargo shipments also have to clear many different regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the International Trade Commission (ITC).
This means that you need to get all of the necessary forms, licenses, permits, and paperwork in order before you can even think about transporting your cargo by air/sea/road across international borders.
Before becoming an international cargo mover, you need to be a global logistic expert.
- 3. My Business Can Save Big by Shipping Our Goods From One Country to Another by Sea/Truck/Air
The reality is that when importing or exporting cargo, there are many hidden costs associated with doing so. This is especially true if your shipment will cross international borders more than once during this process.
Also, when shipping goods from one country to another via land, there are often customs stops along the way and delays. These can put your cargo at risk of getting delayed or even lost. Thus, you need to know that before deciding the mode of shipment for your cargo.
- 4. It’s Impossible To Bring My Car Across a Border by Sea/Truck/Air
In reality, it depends on the country importing your car. For example, you can import certain types of cars into the U.S. by sea if they meet specific standards or requirements, such as having a combined fuel economy of at least 22.5 Miles per gallon.
If you want to bring a second-hand car from Europe to America, it will be necessary for you to get a vehicle permit from the U.S. Department of Transport & Motor Vehicles, and the EPA, and other regulatory agencies before you can transport your car.
- 5. Misinformation About Required Documents
Many people claim that the Global logistic company they hired misinformed them about what forms and documents they would need. This is one of the most common complaints made by importers and exporters when their cargo or goods fail to clear customs on time or at all.
In reality, no one other than customs agents and logistics experts can know the exact requirements for all cargo owners. So if you’re not sure what forms or documents your company needs, it’s best to ask an expert familiar with these procedures.
Read also: Norstrat Consulting A Brief Overview
- 6. We Can Just Take Our Chances When Transporting Our Cargo by Sea/Truck/Air Because We Can’t Face Penalty for That
The reality is that it’s not possible to avoid potential penalties or fines by assuming that your cargo will clear customs easily. There are many hidden costs associated with importing and exporting your goods into or out of certain countries. That happens if you have multiple shipments going through different customs offices.
If you’re not sure what types of forms or documents you need, your best option is to work with an expert who knows the ropes.
Avoiding these fees by using false information can lead to business risks and delays in getting your goods delivered. In addition, that may cost more money than the tariffs would have initially.
Conclusion
These are some of the misconceptions about international freight forwarding prevalent worldwide. However, if you want to save time, energy, and money when moving your cargo across national borders, hiring an expert is one of the best things that you can do for your business.
