It wasn’t long ago that doing international business was seen as the pinnacle of success. Conducting business overseas generally was something that only the largest and most successful companies had the capacity or the capability to accomplish. Today, however, thanks to the Internet, it’s possible for practically everyone — from international conglomerates to small entrepreneurs to people simply selling their unwanted items on auction sites — to buy and sell goods to practically anyone else on Earth. Buying and selling internationally can be crucial for business expansion, no matter how big or small your business is. However, the process is a bit more complicated than you may be used to.

Taking advantage of international shipping can be a great way to expand your business, but it requires some forethought before your business gets the hang of it. Having a strong logistics plan in place before you begin using international shipping is the key to success and can open vast new markets for your business. Failing to have a strong logistics plan can result in damaged goods, delayed shipments and even fines for improper procedures. For all of these reasons, it’s essential that any business considering using international shipping pay close attention to the proper practices to ensure that goods arrive at their international destinations safely and securely.

For example, it’s important for any business to do some research before shipping anything to a foreign country. Although you may be able to simply drop your goods in a box with the proper postage and have it shipped easily to a domestic location, it may not be so simple when shipping internationally. There may be restrictions or regulations in your destination country regarding your shipment. Additionally, you’ll need to find out what those restrictions are before you prepare it. That includes marking your package if there are any hazardous materials or goods inside.

Shipping goods internationally won’t benefit your business if those goods don’t arrive at their final destination safely. That means proper packing is crucial for international shipping. You’ll want to ensure that your goods are packed in strong, lightweight containers. Loading them into shipping containers or onto pallets will cut down on the amount of handling they experience as well as the risk of damage. Of course, choosing an experienced shipper to handle your shipments will also have an impact on how well-protected they will be during the entire process. Depending on the provider you choose to handle your shipments, you may be able to track your shipments through the Internet, giving you up-to-the-minute information about where your shipments are and when they will arrive at their final destination.

International shipping isn’t just for large, multinational corporations anymore. Companies and organizations of every size have the option to expand their businesses overseas through international shipping, as long as they know what they are doing. The accompanying guide details important information businesses need to know about how to prepare for international shipping. Take a moment to review it and be sure you have all the information you need.