When shipping orders to their final destination, there are a lot of complexities that go into it. Although many people don’t realize it, shipping from Point A to Point B involves rules, regulations, and touchpoints to ensure parcels arrive on time.
Many problems can arise, and anticipating them is as vital as ever. Here are some common shipping problems that can occur.
Shipping Problem 1: Missing Paperwork
Many cargo shipments require documentation to make it through customs. This protects each country’s environment and inhabitants, and some commodities may not even be allowed. It’s essential to make sure you have the proper duties and taxes accounted for.
If you’re going through multiple ports, check what documentation is needed at each to avoid shipping issues and delays.
Shipping Problem 2: Custom Problems
Importers need to always give freight forwarders accurate information. Failing to do so creates mistrust with customs officials and leads to serious setbacks. Providing complete and accurate information helps the process go smoother.
Customs between countries vary significantly. Some focus on specific issues; others conduct random inspections. Regardless, provide as much accurate information as you can.
Shipping Problem 3: Customs Exams
Surprisingly, only 2-10% of shipments face inspection, but if you’re handling a high volume of regular shipments, inspection will be part of your shipping procedure at some point. Make sure you’re knowledgeable about the inspection process before it occurs, preventing any customs problems.
Alba Wheels Up is proud to be a leading freight forwarder with unparalleled knowledge of global markets and domestic ports. Our licensed Customs Brokers will ensure your shipments pass through customs with ease.
Shipping Problem 4: Improper Loading Securement
Your shipment made it to its final destination, but the load wasn’t properly braced, so the shipment fell and is now damaged. It’s estimated that at least 95% of this damage happens due to insufficient packing or stowage. But who’s responsible?
Luckily, in most cases, this ends up being the carrier’s fault and not the shipper’s. However, damaged products aren’t good for business, and this can cause problems when the delivery is received. Take the extra time to secure your cargo before it leaves its origin.
Shipping Problem 5: Delay Costs
Delay costs are common shipping challenges arising from demurrage, detention, and per diem. These are distinct from each other and lead to many delay-related fees arising from inspections or a late freight release.
Know how these delay costs are distinct, so you’re better prepared to negotiate them down.
Shipping Problem 6: Missing Documents
A carrier issues a Bill of Lading to a shipper. This document details destination, quantity, and type of goods being shipped. This legal document is the most critical piece of paperwork for your shipment, so make sure it isn’t lost. Losing a Bill of Landing results in unforeseen delays.
Shipping Problem 7: Unforeseen Closures
Many occurrences lead to unexpected closures, including strikes or natural disasters. These shipping problems can happen both at the origin or the destination and are hard to predict.
Work may take a while to resume, or it may reopen quickly. Regardless, these closures result in backups, and it takes time to process that congestion. There’s nothing you can do if this happens, but this is a significant problem to be aware of anyway.
Shipping Problem 8: Speed of Delivery
As a shipper, you have many options when it comes to how quickly you’ll get a package to its destination. Customers in today’s world expect products delivered within a couple of days, but this can be tricky to keep up with.
Shippers and carriers alike need to adapt their store formats, vehicles, and channels to ensure timely arrival so that customers aren’t complaining when the package arrives. Multi-carrier environments help keep delivery times down.
Shipping Problem 9: Penalties
There are many regulations shippers must comply with when importing cargo. Make sure you know your shipper’s liability and submit these before your shipment exits its last port. Failure to adequately complete this part of the shipping process results in penalties and fines that rack up to be quite costly. This is easily avoided with some due diligence ahead of time.
Shipping Problem 10: Cargo That’s Too Heavy
Knowing road weight limits is vital for when your trucker picks up the shipments. He will be unable to transport your load if it exceeds any of these limits.
Sometimes, you’ll submit paperwork with one weight listed, but the weight of the container doesn’t match. This means your trucker may not have with him the proper equipment needed to lift the shipment. This shipping problem can easily be avoided by checking and double-checking the weight of your shipment.
Shipping Problem 11: Misplaced Shipments
With megaships on the rise, ports aren’t getting any smaller. This means that discharged containers can get lost. At this point, it will be nearly impossible to relocate your cargo, given how many containers there are at any given port.
Shipping Problem 12: Benchmarking
You can’t improve what you don’t track, so it’s crucial to monitor shipments at all points in their journey. Specific problems may consistently arise across loads that result in destination issues. By identifying which shipping challenges tend to reappear, you can be better prepared to solve them.
Along with benchmarking, identify key performance indicators (KPIs) that allow you to stay competitive and compare rates across the shipping industry.
Final Word
As you can see, there are many problems shippers face. These problems form a vicious cycle, where one occurring can lead to another occurring, and so on. This can end up being very costly when all is set and done.
Alba Wheels Up helps you get ahead of these issues. We partner with you so you can sell your goods faster and stay ahead of your competition. Contact us today!
