If you’re interested in the auto parts business, you would be dealing with much the of international shipping. Shipping car parts internationally is more than moving parts intra- or inter-state, so hence many variables are involved. in this article, we will look into packaging and shipping methods, elaborate what customs regulations are and what are the fees.
Please note that this guide will apply to importers, exporters, alike, therefore all those individuals and car enthusiasts who simply want to pimp up your vehicle.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into it!
What Transportation Method is used for Shipping Car Parts Internationally?
Auto parts are high-value commodities, hence they are time-sensitive. Normally, the best mode of transportation is by air. Buyers who order parts usually need them to fix their broken vehicles so they can get back on the road quickly. The case is different for vehicles.
Here are some reasons why air is preferred for auto parts shipping:
- Air is the fastest shipping method for time-sensitive items.
- It is safer when it comes to the risk of theft and damage.
- Minimal packaging is required.
- The departure and arrival times make air the most reliable shipping method.
- Airfreight requires lower insurance premiums.
- Airfreight is very convenient for auto parts that are not large
- You can ship anywhere
Packaging Essentials for Shipping Auto Parts Internationally
There are several reasons for shipping an auto part. However, they are most commonly needed for car repair or commercial purposes.
That said, the consignee and shipper will be responsible for selecting the packaging material.
You will need a box, bubble wrap, cardboard shavings, or Styrofoam to securely pack auto parts for international shipping. Use a shawl for additional protection.
How to Pack auto Parts
The style of packaging car parts will vary according to the type. However, here are the most common ones you’ll come across:
- Perform padding on the sharp edges and corners of the auto part since this will help in preventing the sharp edges from tearing through the box.
- Place movable and fragile auto parts in a container.
- Empty the car parts that are filled with fluid before shipping
- Secure auto parts that are susceptible to scratch
How to Calculate Shipping Costs
Remember that shipping costs are never fixed since destination and cargo vary. But it would help if you had a standard rate you work by. You can calculate or set a shipping rate based on:
- The type of cargo
- The volume and weight of cargo
- The destination
- Delivery speed
- Dealing with customs and duties
You can’t ship internationally without the destination country’s approval. So you need to understand the customs regulations and fees of several countries you’d be shipping to, or the country you’re shipping from. For each shipment, you would need to file documents for customs clearance, including but not limited to:
- Export declaration
- Bill of lading
- Packing list
You would also need to present the Importer declaration obtained from the consignee. It usually makes sense to work with a customs broker who would keep an eye on these things. It will require considerable time and effort for you to keep track of every destination country’s regulations, but a third party focused on that can take the burden with ease.
Why go for International Shipping?
Not all parts are available in the country you are residing. Most people import cars and the spare parts of these imported cars are not easily available. Opting for native companies does make part availability a non-issue, but why limit our options when a solution is available to solve that problem. People mostly import cars because of their better build quality and reliability. And as stated before, the parts are not readily available.
This is where international shipping come into play. This is the twenty first century and transport has improved vastly over time. There are multiple means of transportation with improved reliability.
The arsenal for shipping has increased as well. When air cargo shipping was first introduced, there were limited airplanes that could take cargo across the globe.
Today companies like DHL and FedEx have become huge business conglomerates with an uncountable workforce at their disposal. This rigid infrastructure has greatly improved shipping times.
Gone are the days when you had to wait ages for a product to ship from the other side of the globe. These days, there are multiple packages of shipping varying on the basis of time required for shipping.
The International Shipping Process from Start to Finish
Each shipping may vary according to the situation, but there’s a standard approach. While accounting for slight deviations, the following is an end-to-end international shipping process for auto parts:
- An importer/buyer orders the car parts
- The supplier/exporter sends a pro-forma invoice to the importer
- The buyer presents the buy order
- The buyer and seller agree on a freight forwarder to transport the goods
- The freight forwarder then confirms the agreement with the buyer and seller
- The freight forwarder will contact their overseas branch or partner for the movement of the goods within the destination country.
- The supplier provides the required export documents.
- If everything, including all paperwork, is in order, the supplier can then book the shipment for export to commence.
- The freight forwarder handles the rest until the auto parts reach the border.
- Get the shipment cleared by customs, after which the items are now in the destination country.
- The cleared goods can now be delivered.
Final words
The process can be a bit complicated, especially regarding the documents and customs clearance required. but after repeated attempts you will become familiar with the process. But if some processes prove too time-consuming than you’d like, it’s best to outsource some tasks to a third-party service provider.
That’s more beneficial if you’re an exporter/importer rather than a car enthusiast handling a one-time shopping.
