Step 7 – Shippers and shipping: delivering the goods
Choosing the right shipping method is vital to your export success.
You'll have to familiarize yourself with your target market's import regulations, product standards and licensing requirements. If you're a service exporter, you may have to acquire professional or other accreditation from the country where you'll be operating.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) has developed an initiative to help protect the international supply chain against terrorist exploitation: the SAFE Framework. It aims to establish and integrate standards for supply chain security and management, strengthen cooperation among customs administrations and promote the seamless movement of goods through well-secured international supply chains.
Unless you're exporting to the United States, reporting your exports is mandatory under Canadian regulations. For details on how to do this, download or read online the Canada Border Services Agency's Guide to Exporting Commercial Goods from Canada.
Avoid spreading yourself too thin by entering too many different markets too quickly.
You'll need an export permit if:
Global Affairs Canada provides detailed information about export and import controls and permits. A publication called A Guide to Canada's Export Controls is also available.
Companies in the agri-food sector can learn about export regulations and certifications for food products at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
There are four ways of getting your product to your customer's doorstep: by truck, rail, air or ocean. Choosing the right shipping method, or combination of methods, is vital to export success—you want the product to get there on time and at the lowest cost.
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada's Agri-food Trade Service has a useful list of shipping resources that are applicable to most sectors.
Truck
Trucking is popular for shipments within North America, but service declines once you go beyond the major industrialized countries.
Rail
Rail is widely used when shipping to the United States or to and from seaports.
Air
Air is more expensive than surface or sea transport, but the higher costs may be offset by faster delivery, lower insurance, cheaper warehousing, exotic markets and better inventory control.
Ocean
Shipping large items, bulk commodities and goods to offshore markets that do not require fast delivery is more economical by sea.
To provide a common terminology for international shipping and minimize misunderstandings, the International Chamber of Commerce has developed a set of international commerce terms known as Incoterms. Familiarize yourself with these terms so that you know you are speaking the same language as your buyer or intermediary.
You'll need to deal with a lot of documents when delivering products to foreign countries. You don't normally do it all yourself, however—use freight forwarders and customs brokers to help reduce the workload abroad.
Freight forwarders will help you improve your delivery times and customer service. These agencies will negotiate rates for you with shipping lines, airlines, trucking companies, customs brokers and insurance firms. They can handle all of your logistical requirements, or just negotiate your shipping rate; it's up to you.
Proper packing can also reduce the risk of theft during transit.
Assume your products will have a bumpy ride, particularly if you're shipping overseas.
Pack them to survive rough-and-ready cargo handlers and poor roads.
During transit, handling and storage, your goods may be exposed to bad weather and extreme temperatures. If they need special temperature controls or other protective measures, be sure they get them.
The type of shipping may determine the kind of packing you should use. For example, if the goods are carried by ship, you need to know whether they will be placed above or below deck.
Labelling regulations vary widely from nation to nation, so verify the required labels before you ship.
Your product may not clear customs if labels don't conform to local requirements such as product weight or electrical standards.
Marking distinguishes your goods from those of other shippers. Marks shown on the shipping container must agree with those on the bill of lading or other shipping documents; they may include some or all of the following:
Provide a packing list that identifies and itemizes the contents of each container. Each container must also contain a packing list itemizing its contents.
For information on packaging your goods for the EU marketplace, refer to the CE Marking Guide.
International carriers assume only limited liability and make the seller responsible for the goods up to the point of delivery to the foreign buyer. For this reason, you must have international transportation insurance.
Marine transportation insurance protects both ocean- and air-bound cargo. It also covers connecting land transportation. There are three main types of marine transportation insurance:
Export documentation identifies the goods and the terms of sale. It also provides title to the goods, evidence of insurance coverage and certifies a certain quality or standard. Several documents are required for overseas shipping and fall into two categories:
Goods shipped by sea are typically insured for 110% of their value, to compensate for the extra costs involved in replacing lost goods.
Shipping documents are prepared by you or your freight forwarder. They allow the shipment to pass through customs, be loaded onto a carrier and be transported to the destination. Key shipping documents include:
* A bill of lading is used for land and ocean freight, while an air waybill is used for air freight. Note that the ocean bill of lading can be a negotiable instrument that passes title to the goods. Other types of bills pass title to the consignee as soon as the goods are delivered.
The most important collection document is probably the commercial invoice, which describes the goods in detail and lists the amount owing by the foreign buyer. This form is also used for customs records and must include:
Other collection documents include:
If you're importing goods in order to re-export them, you might be able to use the Duties Deferral Program, administered by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The program relieves or defers payment duties if the goods are in transit through Canada and will not be sold here.
There are three components to the Duties Deferral Program:
The challenges of delivering services to a foreign market are just as complex as those of delivering products. The challenges are different, however, and often depend on factors in your target market, such as:
You'll most likely be delivering your services by one, or a combination of, the following methods:
