You probably have a few stories about how hard you worked as a young entrepreneur and how hard it was to get that first sale. Well, things have changed, and you are now filling international orders. The following are a few tips that may help ensure that you are able to send your product across the globe with no hiccups.
Consider the Product
One thing you want to pay attention to is the size and weight of the products you are thinking of shipping. Weight and size make a big difference when you ship internationally. You could end up paying an arm and a leg for shipping. It may cost you more than the product itself, which is not smart, so try to ship only smaller or lightweight items.
Consider All Regulations
The next thing you want to pay attention to are international regulations. Each country has its own set of laws or regulations that you have to abide by depending on what you are selling. There are a few different online tools that can help you discover updated regulations for each country you may be shipping the product to, and it’s your job to stay on top of those rules. Think about this: Vietnam does not allow foreign calendars inside their country.
A Little Assistance
There was a time when packaging was no big deal. You got a few orders from time to time that you can take care of by hand. You didn’t have to buy a machine to help you or hire additional help but that time is long gone. You need to consider buying pre-owned packaging equipment to help you fill your orders quickly. Keep in mind that some of these machines can be bought used to save money if you get them from a reputable company.
Step by Step
Those regulations mentioned earlier are different for each country, and it may be hard to learn everything. Perhaps the best thing you can do is simply ship to a few countries first to get your feet wet. Consider shipping to neighboring countries first before you move on to exotic countries. Once you get good at shipping in one country, then the rest should be a lot easier.
Hopefully, some of these tips make it easier for you to continue shipping across the globe. Remember that this is going to take some time to learn, so be patient with yourself.