Shipping goods to another country is becoming a more and more common task for many people: sending a parcel to friends and loved ones or e-commerce vendors, planning to deliver their products around the world, will eventually use the services of a shipping company like FedEx.
Sending a parcel to another country will take more time than domestic shipping. Naturally, it involves a slightly higher price, too. Apart from that, FedEx offers with the same services, regardless of the shipping destination.
The process of international shipping can be confusing at first glance and usually raises a lot of questions, especially when done for the first time. But it can be broken down to just five simple steps:
Choosing a service
FedEx offers a number of international shipping services with different levels of speed, maximum weight and delivery time. Most non-commercial senders opt for the “international economy” offer, as it is affordable and simplifies the customs process. However, it can take up to 5 days for the parcel to arrive.
That is why businesses typically chose “International Priority”: e-commerce sellers, for example, can not afford any unnecessary delay to their order delivery. “International first” (or “Europe first”) can be an excellent option for the highest speed, since it allows the parcel to arrive at the beginning of a business day.
Should the weight exceed 68 kg (150 lbs), the “International Economy” and “International Priority” options are available. The latter offers a fast delivery time of 1 to 3 days, while the economy version can take longer.
Preparing the package
Before sending, the object has to be safely packed up and the necessary paperwork filled out. FedEx offers packaging materials – cardboard boxes etc. – but any package will do, as long as it does not have any unusual form and offers enough protection.
The task of filling out the necessary paperwork can be daunting; it is, however, not as difficult as it looks at first glance. There is a wide array of instructions and guides available, including from FedEx itself.
Getting the package on its way
There are two options to get the package on its journey: it can be delivered to a FedEx Station by the sender, or a pickup can be scheduled. Having the package picked up offers a higher level of comfort.
The price for this service, however, varies from country to country. A pickup can easily be scheduled through the FedEx Website. No matter the method, the sender will receive a receipt and tracking number, which will be important for the next step.
Tracking a package
Once the package is on its way, the sender can track its progress: you can click here to get to FedEx tracking and enter your tracking number. However, it can take up to 24 hours from the time the shipping label is created until the package can be found in the tracking software
The tracking solution works in real time: as soon as the package enters a FedEx facility, delivery truck etc. it is scanned and the information uploaded immediately. There is also a tracking app available, which can be useful for people who regularly ship with FedEx.
Arrival, Receipt
After the parcel has safely arrived, the sender will be informed through FedEx tracking. E-Mail notifications are available, if the sender has created an account with the FedEx Website and adjusted the settings accordingly.
An overview of the shipping process is available as well. Especially e-commerce vendors should keep this document, in case of problems with the customer later on. The Receipt can be viewed online and downloaded, too.
Sending a package to another country is a simple, five-step process with FedEx. It allows business and individuals a quick and affordable way to send goods and gifts around the world.
Over 130 billion parcels have been shipped worldwide in 2020 alone, and this number is expected to double by 2025, making the shipping industry one of the fastest growing fields in the world!
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