If you regularly ship parcels abroad, you’ll attest to the fact that late parcel delivery is one possible downside that comes with shipping abroad.

While this doesn’t happen so often, it can be quite unsatisfying when it does. I mean, no one places an order expecting it to come in later than expected.

So in this article, I’ll be covering three common reasons why you might experience a delay in the first place, and we’ll tip you in on how you can address these issues.

#1. Incorrect Address System

This is probably the most common cause of delays. A lot of things could go wrong when a package is properly addressed, and sometimes misplaced shipments are bound to occur.

When shipping parcels abroad, it’s important to exercise due diligence in ensuring that you provide the right address.

A good address system is usually the way to go about this, to ensure that your wooden crates reach their intended destinations in time.

Among the issues that could come into play include, sending an incomplete or outdated address, incorrectly spelling your house address or giving a totally wrong address altogether.

Delays could even be as a result of package redirection. When this happens, the system might have to take extra time to process and confirm the change of delivery address which could result in delays.

Before you pack and ship out any of your packing boxes, ensure that you understand how the receiver’s address system works.

This includes knowing how to fill in their house and street codes, knowing where and how to input their zip codes, area codes and state codes. A knowledge of this will help you correctly fill the order form.

Although this shouldn’t prove to be so much of an issue as it can be easily carried out through the help of a professional shipping company.

#2. Customs

This is another major cause of delay when parcel delivery is concerned.

Factors that could lead to issues with custom officers include presenting incomplete documents, invalid documents, or shipping of banned/illegal goods.

Things like alcohol, arms and certain electronic devices are considered prohibited in certain climes.

Now, while some other reasons are inevitable and even understandable, before you pack and ship any item overseas ensure you’re not violating any custom requirements.

Issues with customs can prove to be a major roadblock for the carrier companies when it occurs.

Delays become inevitable, and if the entire situation isn’t properly managed, it could escalate into even more serious complications.

To be safe, make sure all your shipping documents are valid, correctly filled, and without error. You should also get a customs declaration form and remit all the necessary details before packing and shipping out.

More so, it pays to find out what item is prohibited and what isn’t in certain locales, so that your carrier company doesn’t end, having issues to deal with—a reputable shipping company can help you with this info.

#3. Difficulty Accessing Property of the Receiver

Unfortunately, this is another very prevalent problem while shipping abroad.

This could be because of the presence of protective pets such as dogs, or an absence of the access code needed for the courier to access the building, or even due to an absence of doorbells in the receiver’s home.

Courier companies observe strict delivery rules, and ringing the bell is one of such. They are not allowed to leave parcels at the doorstep of a receiver unless such a receiver has received the parcel.

When such a circumstance occurs, the courier personnel is forced to leave with the parcel and return at a later date.

#4. Unplanned Contingencies

This could be issues such as a strike in the receiver’s location, or bad weather, or even something as simple as technical issues.

When situations such as these arise, delayed delivery will eventually be the result.

Packing Boxes, Pack and Ship, Wooden Crates

#5. Using the Wrong Packing Boxes

Packing rightly means a lot in the business of shipping, especially if you’re interested in your parcel arriving at its destination in one piece.

The right packing boxes and wooden crates will not only cut down on cost, but it will also ensure that your parcels are kept safe and do not get damaged irrespective of numerous checks and rough handling.

Of course, as with the other dilemmas mentioned here, a reliable shipping company should be able to help you get the right type and size of wooden crates as well as the right packing boxes.

They can also ensure that your items are carefully handled—and if you ask me, this is something you want to get right.

Conclusion

As you’ll notice, while some circumstances such as the weather condition or technical issues on the end of the courier company might be entirely outside your control, there are certain things you can do to ensure that possible delays are curbed from your end. A knowledge of these things will help you make the right shipping decisions and ensure that delays of any sort are prevented while you pack and ship items overseas.