subject: How To Package A Shipment To Send Internationally [print this page] When you are sending shipments to clients who live in other countries, the recommended procedures for shipping are going to change somewhat. The difference between shipping domestically and internationally is that when you ship something to another country, there is a very real chance that your package is going to be subject to a great deal more scrutiny than it would be if it stayed within your own borders. Therefore, if you are shipping something across an international border, even just the border between the US and Canada, then you should ask your Los Angeles courier service for some tips regarding the packaging of international shipments.
Once you know that there is a good chance your package can be opened and inspected, you can start keeping this in your mind during every step of the packing stage. For instance, when packing breakable items, you want to make sure that they are as secure as possible. Also, ensure that you label which way the package needs to be opened. This should ensure that your items never fall out accidentally and become damaged.
The next thing you need to think about is how tightly you package the goods in your shipment. If things are crammed in too tightly, they have a tendency to fall all over when the package is opened. Also, it can be very difficult to repack a shipment if the objects are packed too tightly together. Ensure your items are comfortable packaged in their boxes, not crammed in.
Another thing to remember is that the label can get damaged when the package is being opened and inspected. People who are used to shipping internationally will often include an extra copy of the important paperwork, like the shipping label and commercial invoice, inside the package itself. That way the information is available should there arise any confusion about the package.
Finally, make sure that all your paperwork is included and in order. Many people concentrate too much on the packaging of their shipment and risk overlooking the importance of paperwork. In many cases, as long as all the paperwork is correct, shipments will have a minimum of trouble getting across a common border with constant trade like the one which exists between the United States and Canada. A paperwork problem though, can cause a hold up at the border for your package which could last anywhere from hours to days.
