Shipping logistics have become exceedingly more complex in recent years as the boom in e-commerce has changed customer expectations. To compete, today’s logistics companies must ensure shipments are fast, affordable, and transparent. According to recent studies, timely delivery has become so important to online shoppers that nearly half will abandon their carts if delivery times are too slow or unavailable.
When international shipping is part of the mix, logistics becomes even more complex. Moving shipments from one nation to another adds new phases to the delivery journey, increasing costs and the risk of delays. Additionally, international shipments are subject to international laws and cross-border compliance issues that further complicate logistics.
To satisfy the requirements of customers and shipping authorities while remaining profitable, companies must understand the core challenges posed by international shipping and the steps that can be taken to overcome them.
Expect additional shipping partners
To facilitate international shipments, companies must deal with a wide range of cross-border compliance issues. Pertinent regulations are complex, strict, and ever-changing, so international shipments often require the involvement of international companies.
“Companies need to utilize the big shipping giants like UPS, FedEx, and DHL when they provide international shipping,” says Anar Mammadov, CEO of Senpex Technology.
Senpex is a leader in last-mile logistics that provides scalable solutions for same-day and on-demand delivery needs in multiple countries. It provides customized pickup and delivery services that leverage artificial intelligence and other technology tools to optimize delivery workflows and ensure reliable and efficient service.
To address the challenges associated with international shipments, Senpex partners with national carriers for the cross-border phase of the delivery process. Local Senpex drivers pick up deliveries and get them to cross-border carriers, then complete the delivery process once packages arrive in the recipient’s country.
“We team up with premier national carriers to deliver reliable cross-border shipping services,” Mammadov shares. “Because we manage a substantial volume of shipments, we can offer their services to our clients at very competitive rates. And since we are managing the pickup and delivery, we can continue to offer solutions tailored to meet each client’s unique needs.”
Expect longer shipping times
The additional compliance issues involved with cross-border shipments, including package inspections, often add to shipping timeframes.
“When you ship internationally, you should expect deliveries to be late,” Mammadov shares. “With local and even regional shipping, many consumers have come to expect same-day, on-demand delivery options. However, they shouldn’t have those same expectations with international shipments.”
Mammadov recommends several steps to address the inevitable delays associated with international shipments, starting with leveraging technology to streamline the connections between the various shipping platforms involved in the process.
“By utilizing application programming interfaces (APIs), we have built seamless integration into our logistics management system,” Mammadov shares. “The APIs for FedEx, UPS, and DHL are all integrated into our system.”
Mammadov also recommends companies use technology to increase transparency in the shipping process. Today’s consumers want regular shipping updates, and a recent survey shows that 85 percent value consistent package tracking.
“To improve the delivery experience, we empower our customers to track every phase of the delivery process through our dashboard,” Mammadov explains. “They can see what carrier currently has their package and where it is. When there are delays, they know what carrier is responsible.”
Using technology to improve the efficiency of the hand-off process can also compensate for the delays common in cross-border shipping. This can involve using AI-powered tools to streamline package movements through warehouses and leveraging AI for delivery route optimization.
“Because delays are more likely in the cross-border phase of the delivery process, logistics companies need to maximize the efficiency of their last-mile logistics,” Mammadov shares. “AI-driven route optimization helps to remove the risk of delay from the local leg of the delivery journey. It is an essential part of the equation, especially as delivery companies scale.”
Navigating the higher levels of complexity that come with cross-border logistics is a challenge companies must face to grow globally. By leveraging technology to increase efficiency and transparency, companies can provide a delivery experience that gives them a competitive edge.