In the last decade, there have been tremendous improvements in international shipping. The international shipping community has seen an impressive group. With assistance from freight forwarding companies, shipping companies, and international agencies, it is becoming more affordable to ship internationally each year. Whether you are a large company or an E-commerce website with five employees, there are many reasons to extend your product into the Asian market. The buying power held by India, Japan, China, Singapore, & Russia is one reason that importing and exporting to Asia is a constantly increasing market. But before you figure out your shipping strategy, here is some shipping advice on the current shipping climate.
When clearing customs there are many things to consider. Make sure that there are a detailed description and complete list of all of the products you are shipping. Provide a phone number for a local courier or agency to be contacted if need be. Shipping to Asia requires proper permits and licenses. If you are an E-Commerce company, working with an international shipping company is highly recommended. International freighting and shipping companies can work with their existing permits to ship your goods for you. Not only does your shipment need to clear customs, but your packaging also has to clear. Work with companies with experience shipping internationally to ensure that all regulations are met.
The majority of online shopping in Asia is done via mobile devices. Make sure that your online stores are mobile friendly and if you offer package tracking that the program you use is optimized for mobile devices. Social media has been more effective in Japanese markets compared to print advertising. This is especially true for online shopping and is less expensive than working with print media. Research is projecting that there will be over 1 billion online shoppers by 2021 in Asia.
When shipping to the Asian market, some goods require extra paperwork or cannot be shipped at all. Some categories of goods that are restricted or prohibited are; tobacco products, alcohol, firearms & explosives, pharmaceuticals, pornographic materials, and anti-government/seditious materials or propaganda. Based on where you are shipping, you should research the special regulations that each country and region has for prohibited goods.
Whether you are a large or small company, Bruning International can help you ship to Asia. We have experience shipping imports and exports between America and Asia and can make sure you clear customs. When you work with us, we take care of all the logistics for your shipment. Contact us today.