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💡 Top Tips for Shipping Worldwide
Expert Advice to Make Your Shipment Smooth & Easy
Shipping goods internationally doesn’t have to be complicated. With over 20 years of experience, we have put together our best shipping tips to help you save money, avoid delays, and ensure your items arrive safely every time.
Whether you are a business exporting goods or an individual sending a gift abroad, these simple steps will make the process much easier.
📦 1. Pack Your Items Correctly
Good packaging prevents damage.
• Use Strong Boxes: Always use new, double-walled cardboard boxes for extra strength.
• Seal Properly: Use strong packing tape and use the "H" taping method on top and bottom.
• Protect Contents: Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap or foam. Fill empty spaces with packing peanuts or newspaper so nothing moves inside.
• Waterproof: Consider using plastic wrapping or liners to protect against rain or sea moisture.
📏 2. Measure & Weigh Accurately
Providing the correct dimensions is vital for an accurate price.
• Be Honest: If the item is heavier or bigger than stated, the price will change and your shipment may be delayed.
• Check Volumetric Weight: Sometimes the size of the box costs more than the actual weight. We can help you understand this.
• Label Clearly: Make sure the shipping label is attached flat and is not covered by tape.
📄 3. Get the Paperwork Right
Customs delays are the most common reason for slow delivery.
• Commercial Invoice: Always include a detailed invoice stating what is inside and its value.
• Describe Contents Properly: Never just write "Personal Items" or "Goods". Be specific, e.g., "Used Clothing", "Electronics", "Spare Parts".
• Check Restrictions: Some countries ban certain items (like food, plants, or chemicals). Ask us before you send!
💰 4. Save Money on Shipping
• Consolidate: Put multiple small items into one big box to save on carriage costs.
• Choose the Right Service: Do you need it tomorrow? If not, choose Economy or Sea Freight which is much cheaper.
• Remove Unwanted Weight: Take batteries out of devices if possible, and remove unnecessary packaging to reduce weight.
🚗 5. Special Tips for Vehicle Shipping
• Clean Your Car: Many countries require vehicles to be clean before entering to stop soil diseases.
• Fuel Level: Keep the fuel tank low (usually under ¼ full) for safety and weight reasons.
• Remove Personal Items: Unless you are using Container Shipping, do not leave things inside the car.
📋 6. Check Prohibited Items
Every country has different rules. Generally, you cannot ship:
• Alcohol & Tobacco
• Perfumes & Aerosols
• Weapons & Ammunition
• Counterfeit Goods
• Perishable Foods
If you are unsure, just ask! We will check for you.
🤝 Need More Help?
If you follow these simple international shipping tips, your goods will travel fast and safely. Of course, you don't have to do it alone!
Our team of experts is here to guide you every step of the way.
📞 Call us today or Email us to Get a Quote!
🔑 Follow our expert shipping tips and logistics advice to learn how to ship worldwide, including essential packaging tips, customs help, and guidance on shipping documents to ensure you follow best practices shipping, save money with our exporting guide, and get reliable worldwide shipping help for every delivery.
TIPS ON SHIPPING
• Obtain from the shipping agents who notified you of the arrival of the barrel the "Out of Charge" documents which gives release of the barrel to you.
• Present "Out of Charge" documents to the Port's Office at the Deepwater Harbour for payment of tailgate fee.
• Present "Out of Charge" documents to the Port Officer at the prescribed cargo shed who will locate the barrel for you.
• Check the Customs Officer in the shed who will then examine the contents of the barrel with your assistance.
• The Customs Officer will record his examination on a "Non Trade Examination Form" which will be handed over to you.
• The "Non Trade Examination Form" should be taken to the Customs Cashier at the Baggage Room (White House), where the duty payment payable by you will be calculated and collected.
• Upon payment, with receipt in your possession, return to the Shed where the barrel was examined and present the receipt and other documents to a Customs Officer.
• After processing by Customs, present the "Out of Charge" documents to a Port Officer who will then release the barrel from the Port's Charge to your care.
• Upon arrival at the main gate when exiting the compound, present the "Delivery Slip" to the Security Officer who will then allow you exit with your barrel.
What Amount Of Duty Should One Expect To Pay On A Barrel?
The amount of duty one should pay on a barrel is not dependent on the size of the barrel but on the contents of the barrel. Customs Officers are guided by directives from the Ministry of Finance and Social Security.
The Customs Import and Export Tariffs (Amendments) Act 15 of 2000 states that a flat rate of 30% shall be charged on goods of a non-commercial character, where the total value of the goods does not exceed EC $1,350.00. The flat rate shall be applicable only where the consignment consists of goods falling under at least three different tariffs headings.
Note, however, that the flat rate does not apply to the following:
• Commercial Goods;
• Wines and vermouth under tariff headings;
• Spirits and spirituous beverages described under tariff heading 2208:00;
• Tobacco products described under tariff heading 2401:00 and 2402:00;
• Any single item of the value which exceeds EC $150.00.
A. How to pack a barrel
1. Sort goods according to type, for example, canned goods, clothing, bottled goods, other dry goods, bath soaps and detergents. This will allow you to get a better idea of the quantity of goods and how you need to pack them, taking special note of fragile items.
2. Pack all canned goods and soap powder, if any, first. They can withstand the pressure of goods loaded on top of them. Rice, sugar, and flour should be wrapped securely in plastic bags and packed on top of the cans.
3. Try to buy products packaged in plastic rather than glass, whenever possible. All bottles should be wrapped with tape and placed in plastic bags before placing in the barrel.
6. Perfumed items, such as bath soaps, should be placed on top, away from dry goods, such as, flour, rice and sugar, so that they do not attract the scent, and therefore, taste like the perfume when they are cooked. If you are shipping more than one barrel, separate these items, putting them in different barrels. You should do the same when shipping onions and salt fish.
B. Labelling and securing shipping
Labelling of your barrels and boxes is very important in the whole shipping process. After packing, many customers are tired and do not pay enough attention to this area. Proper labelling eliminates errors and speeds up the shipping process. Poor labelling can be expensive because Customs will charge a fee for each correction.
1. Know the correct name and address of your party in the Caribbean. Do not use "pet names".
2. Get the correct spelling of the name and address that is on your party's identification.
3. Write party's name and address clearly on the shipment, both on the top and on the sides, so that they can be easily identified. You should also write your name and address as the person the goods are coming from.
4. Before signing the shipping documents, double check that the information that is on your documents is the same as on the actual shipment.
5. Barrels should be secured with locks or wire twists, boxes should be properly reinforced and taped and pallets should be shrink wrapped and strapped. Our staff at Finlay's are happy to help our customers in securing their goods.
C. Timely Shipping
The holidays are here once again and it is important to ship goods in a timely manner to ensure that they are available to you when you travel home.
1. Have shipment delivered or picked up in time to make the scheduled sailing. Avoid waiting for the last minute. The earlier goods are received the better the guarantee of it leaving.
2. The busy months for shipping are March/April (Easter), June/July/August (the music festivals/Independence/back to school) and, of course, the busiest season is the Christmas season. Plan wisely for these shipping times so that you beat the last minute rush. Purchase your goods in the weeks and months before you are ready to ship. Choose your shipping date based on the business of the wharves - government or private - at this time of the year. This will give you ample time for your family to get their clothing and food for the holidays or for you to have your goods ready for sale before and during the holiday period.
We Ship to the Caribbean, we are always available to advise you on packing, labelling and when to ship as well as on other shipping matters, for example, clearing and delivery, shipping of motor vehicles including construction and agricultural vehicles, and the packages we have available for returning residents.
Consignee:
This is the name under which the goods will be cleared through Customs. If it is a company name, remember that you must have a TCC (Tax Compliance Certificate). (Jamaica only).
Follow-ups:
To follow-up on your shipment you can email us at info@geeshipping.co.uk / geeshipping1@hotmail.co.uk . This will save you from making costly long distance phone calls. We will provide you with an update on your shipment. If you would like us to follow-up with your supplier/manufacturer kindly provide us with a toll free number or local number or email address, your order number or customer number and we can get the information as to the status of your order.
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