As a retailer, having a strong cross-border shipping strategy is critical to your success. But even the most efficient and well-designed freight transport and logistics systems can break down when faced with volatile currency rates or unexpected delays. In this post, we’ll explore some common cross-border shipping issues that may arise in your international supply chain—and what you can do about them.

1. How does the freight transport system work and where does it fall short?

The freight transport system is a complex web of processes and players. There are many different parties involved in getting your products from one country to another, which adds to the cost of shipping and makes it hard to predict how long it will take for your cargo to arrive at its destination.

The following are some common issues with freight transport:

• The process is complicated, involving multiple parties such as manufacturers, shipping companies, customs agents, etc. This makes it difficult for shippers (i.e., those sending goods across international borders) to know exactly what they’re getting into when they book their shipment or pick a carrier company.
• There are many different types of freight transport—from ocean shipping via container freighters or roll-on/roll-off vessels (ROROs) transporting automobiles by road airships carrying goods over long distances by air; trucks carrying bulk materials like grain across Europe; railroads transporting containers from ports and so on.

2. Losses in transit can be as high as 6%.

While the loss rate for international shipments is around 6%, you can reduce it by using a professional cross-border freight transport company. The best way to do this is by finding out the average loss rate for your courier company before you hire them, and then comparing it with other companies that have higher or lower rates. Once you’ve done that, it’s time to ask yourself if the difference between their rates will make up for any extra costs associated with choosing one over another.

If you’re truly looking at making sure your products reach their destination safely and soundly, then choosing an experienced cross-border shipping service should be one of your top priorities. In order to get started on that journey successfully though, there are some things that need to be taken into account first! That’s why we’ve created this guide specifically focused on helping those who want help choosing between different providers available within each region (whether they’re large corporations or small businesses).

3. Stop relying on guesswork.

You can’t rely on guesswork anymore. You need to be sure that you have accurate data, that you’re using the right tools, and that every stage of your process is as efficient as possible. Here are some ways to get there:

• Use the right software- technology has come a long way from when cross-border shipping was first introduced decades ago. These days there are plenty of options for logistics software for companies looking to streamline their international shipments. This can help simplify processes like customs management and freight forwarding, which can make things easier for both you and your customers around the world.
• Use the right people – it’s important that everyone involved in handling these shipments has been trained on how best practice norms differ between countries (and sometimes even within countries). Make sure everyone knows what they’re doing so they aren’t wasting time or incurring unnecessary costs along the way!

4. 90% of cross-border shippers are unhappy with inconsistent freight transport rates.

In the business world, shipping rates are a huge deal. Not only do they determine which carrier you use, but they also affect your bottom line if you’re in the business of shipping products across borders. The good news is that we can help with this!

First, let’s talk about how shipping rates work in general. Freight transport rates vary depending on many factors: the type of shipment (bulk vs non-bulk), whether it’s express or standard, and even whether it’s a residential address or an office building. You might think that because you know these factors about your shipment ahead of time, all should be well when it comes to calculating accurate shipping costs—but sometimes those calculations don’t always turn out as expected due to unexpected changes in market conditions over course of time or seasonal variations.

5. 83% of SMBs struggle to accurately track their inventory.

You need to know where your inventory is and what it’s doing at all times in order to keep your company running smoothly. That’s why tracking inventory is key to ensuring the success of your business.

There are several ways you can track inventory, including:

• A physical system that keeps track of product location and movement over time (a warehouse)
• An electronic system that keeps track of product location and movement over time (a database)

To use this data effectively, there are several things you should do:

6. Get up and running quickly.

Speed is key when it comes to cross-border freight transport. If you’re waiting for the perfect solution, you’ll miss out on the opportunity to get your product into customers’ hands as soon as possible. So don’t be afraid to make mistakes or ask for help!

Your approach should be: “Let’s try this and see how it works.” You don’t need to have all of the answers before getting started; in fact, you probably won’t. But if something doesn’t work out, just try another solution until something does work out.

7. Customise your solution.

It’s important to customise your solution.

Don’t try to use a one-size-fits-all solution, as it will probably end up costing you more in the long run. Instead, consider hiring an expert who specializes in eCommerce freight transport solutions and can help you find the right fit for your business needs.

It’s also helpful to avoid doing everything yourself if possible—it can be difficult (and costly) to recoup those losses from shipping mistakes down the road. For example: if you’re working with an international client who wants their products shipped within a certain time frame and at a specific cost, there’s no way for you to guarantee these factors unless your business has negotiated them directly with customs agents on that country’s behalf.

8. A single source for all your fulfilment needs.

Outsourcing the entire process can be a daunting and costly endeavor. A single source for all your fulfillment needs, however, is an ideal scenario.

As such, we’ll be taking a look at two types of cross-border shipments: inbound and outbound. In both cases, you can outsource or use a single source for all your fulfilment needs.

Often, large departments are dedicated solely to handling international freight flows and there are many different parties involved in getting products from one country to another.

Often, large departments are dedicated solely to handling international freight flows and there are many different parties involved in getting products from one country to another.

• Make sure you have the right solution for your business.
• Get up and running quickly.
• Find a single source for all your fulfilment needs — including warehousing, cross-border freight transport, inventory tracking and more — so you can keep track of everything through one easy interface that integrates seamlessly with other systems like sales or accounting software.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many factors that contribute to the success or failure of a cross-border shipment. By using a freight management solution like Ianis Cargo Express, you can avoid common issues like incorrect documentation and lost shipments by streamlining your freight transport process and managing international shipping transactions more efficiently.