In this day and age, shipments are being made every day to individuals and to organizations. Shipments are being made with both domestic and international shipping services.
In an ideal world, each and every one of the shipments would arrive at its destination on time and in perfect condition, avoiding headaches. However, issues are going to be encountered from time to time. Luckily, there are steps that can be taken to help decrease the risk of issues and reduce the impact of common problems if they do occur.
Below are the nine shipping issues that occur most commonly, and how to manage them.
1. Items are damaged during handling or shipping.
It is widely known that the conditions in the shipping stream can be very harsh. The items face force as they are loaded onto trucks, planes and ships, and transported over bumpy roads, through turbulence, and even rough seas.
However, when proper packaging is used, and a crating system is developed by an experienced packaging engineer, it drastically reduces the risk of damage.
2. Shipping costs are unreasonably high
It does cost money to safely transport items from one point to another. However, if you believe that you are incurring fees that are higher than they should, there are actions you can take to reduce them.
To ensure you are getting the best price, you should compare providers. However, beware of “bargain shippers” who could end up costing you more than they save. You should schedule the shipping as far in advance as possible. The closer you wait to the delivery date, the more fees that can be acquired.
3. Lack of knowledge about international shipping
The process is much simpler getting a shipment from city to city in the United States. Typically, it is loaded onto a truck and arrives at the destination within a few days. If you are trying to make a shipment overseas, it becomes more complicated. With international shipping, there are customs requirements, forms that must be completed, and transfers from one carrier to another.
To avoid complications with international shipping, be sure to work with a crating and shipping company that has substantial experience in getting shipments to their foreign destinations
4. Shipping route disruptions
There can be many forces that are outside of your control that could impact shipping routes. A few examples are natural disasters, political unrest, and pandemics. These obstacles cannot be prevented but there may be a way to work around them.
If you are working with an experienced shipping logistics company, they monitor local, regional, national, and world events in order to anticipate these types of problems. In the case of an issue arriving, they can leverage their knowledge and network of industry contacts to determine if there is a way to modify the path the shipment can take to avoid trouble spots.
5. Lost items
It can seem like a shipment has fallen into a black hole once it has entered the shipping stream with some shipping companies.
However, with a premium crating and shipping provider, they track your shipment throughout the journey. If contact is lost with a package, action can be taken immediately.
6. Stress of “split shipments”
There are times when items are picked up in one location but must be delivered to multiple locations, such as with estate shipping. This can create frustration for the family members if they are coordinating the process.
You should find a company that handles the logistics, carefully labels, logging, and tracking assets as they go their separate ways. They also keep shippers and recipients updated on the progression of the project.
7. Harsh environmental conditions along the shipping route
Effects of the environmental conditions can cause hidden forms of damage. Corrosion and internal damage can be caused to electronics like servers by high humidity levels, such as with ocean transport.
Precautions such as moisture barrier packaging, desiccants, and humidity indicator cards can help ensure that sensitive items are protected.
8. Shipping hazardous materials
There are many restrictions in association with shipping hazardous materials.
A crating and shipping company that is experienced in this can help you understand the packaging and handling requirements, and the paperwork that is required, so that no rules or regulations are broken while you are transporting the hazardous material.
9. The cost of repairing or replacing damaged goods
In spite of the efforts of yourself and your shipping company, items may still be damaged during transport.
To avoid paying for the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged items, you can arrange for cargo insurance, ideally with the company that is coordinating your shipment.
Choose Extreme Packing Solutions in Beverly, MA
A common solution to having problem-free shipping is working with an experienced specialty crating and shipping company. Having their expertise can help you avoid or minimize common shipping issues so you can focus on other tasks. This is why Extreme Packing Solutions can assist you! Contact us today by giving us a call at 978-232-9190 or fill out a contact form!