25/03/2019
BEST PRACTICES FOR SHIPPING AIR FREIGHT
Whether you are new to the world of air freight or just want to double check you have everything in order, check out our Best Practices for Shipping Air Freight...
Air freight can offer your company several advantages over ocean freight. In addition to subjecting your shipments to less handling, which can translate to a lower possibility of damage, air freight can also get your goods to their destination faster—and on a more precise timeline.
However, air freight has its own shipping requirements, ones that may be new to you. To help you take full advantage of all that air freight has to offer, we’ve put together a list of best practices for preparing your shipments. These tips will help ensure your package arrives at its destination safely, cost-efficiently and on time.
1. Label Your Shipment Clearly
The most common challenge we see with air freight shipments occurs when they’re not clearly marked. This can cause your package to get misrouted, left behind or accidentally included with someone else’s shipment, ultimately derailing that prompt timeline that air shipping is known for. For international shipments, unclear labeling can also cause a delay in clearing customs, which can create significant headaches.
Best Practice:
Make sure to mark your shipment clearly on two adjoining sides with the name, address and telephone number for both the shipper and the receiving party. Also, remember to remove or mark out any old labels and markings to eliminate any confusion.
2. Include a Commercial Invoice for International Shipments
best practices air freight invoice
If your shipment is going internationally, make sure to put together a commercial invoice. Without one, your goods could be delayed by customs. In the worst case scenario, you may even be levied fines or storage charges while the package awaits correct documentation.
Best Practice:
Prepare a commercial invoice for any international shipments, and double-check that it clearly defines the contents and the value assigned to them. This will ensure that your shipment clears customs as quickly and efficiently as possible.