TECH & INNOVATION  /  SME

By FedEx | February 21, 2025

International shipments can be complex, but they don’t need to be painful. Resolve these common shipping and importing pain points so you can keep your customers happy.

• Whether you’re a shipper or importer, chances are your business has run into logistics problems when dealing with international shipments.
• From cargo damage to import paperwork, shipping issues can impact your operations and customer relationships – but there are ways to tackle the most common pain points.
• The right strategy, tools and shipping provider can give you better control and transparency throughout the shipment process.

Shipping isn’t just about moving goods. It can define the quality of your relationships with suppliers and customers. When imports or shipments don’t go as planned, knock-on effects such as late delivery or damaged items can impact your business. In fact, 66% of retail buyers have ended relationships with suppliers because of delivery issues.

Given the complexities of shipping internationally, you may have run into your fair share of logistics problems when sending or importing goods. But there are strategies you can rely on to tighten operations and overcome obstacles.

Read on for five commonly faced logistics challenges shippers and importers experience, and our tried-and-tested tips for tackling them.

1. You don’t have proper visibility into the status of your shipment

Today’s customers expect instant updates on what’s happening with their deliveries – at any given time. Shipment visibility is vital to a great customer experience. It’s also useful for importers, who need to know exactly when goods will arrive and plan around delays.

Without the right tracking solutions, you’re going to be unaware of stalled shipments and unable to alert your customers ahead of time. If you’re a small business, one cost-effective solution is to partner with a logistics provider that offers near real-time tracking. 

Look out for features designed to improve shipment tracking accuracy, such as near real-time status updates, automatic alerts on changes or delays, picture proof of delivery, and a user-friendly online or mobile portal. Full transparency makes it easy for both shippers and importers to stay informed every step of the way.

2. You’re facing a frustrating lack of collaboration when scheduling pickups

To keep your supply chain running smoothly, collaboration is key. Shared data and up-to-the-minute communication help shippers and importers coordinate their processes properly.

Yet, many businesses still lack the tools to simplify collaboration efforts. One common stumbling block? Scheduling pickups for import shipments. Typically, an importer will send a pickup request to their logistics provider, who will then visit the shipper to pick up the goods. 

However, the shipment might not be ready yet. If the shipper and importer don’t have the ability to sync their pickup and collection systems, it can lead to failed pickups, shipping delays and wasted time.

To enhance visibility and make frictionless collaboration a reality in the import process, FedEx has launched our Collaborative Shipping Tool across Asia Pacific, Europe, the US, Canada, India, Africa and the Middle East. Accessible through FedEx Ship Manager, this revamped tool is now available via the “Import Shipment” feature. 

From now, importers can collaborate directly with shippers for pickups. The new collaborative tool allows importers to share shipment details with shippers before an air waybill is created. Shippers will receive the details and are able to edit the shipment profile and the pickup date and time at their convenience – even without logging in or owning a FedEx account. 

Thanks to this collaborative solution, suppliers can plan and prepare for pickups more efficiently – and importers can get their goods on time.

3. You’re up against confusing compliance and customs requirements

International shipping calls for a ton of paperwork: certificates of origin, waybills, commercial invoices, Electronic Export Information, country-specific permits, and more. With so much documentation for both shippers and importers to fill out, it’s easy for certain requirements to slip through the cracks.

If you’re a business venturing into new markets, complying with every country’s import regulations can be confusing and time-consuming. Errors in paperwork put you at risk of customs delays and increased costs. The wrong Harmonized System (HS) code, for instance, may subject your shipment to unexpected fees or taxes.

Thorough research is your first line of defense against compliance issues, but it’s worth enlisting some expert support. An experienced global logistics provider like FedEx will offer proactive assistance for your customs clearance process and help you submit the right documents electronically. This gives you a head start on customs clearance. You’ll be notified about missing information right away, reducing shipment delays.

4. You’re being slowed down by manual, inefficient order processing

Is your business still manually inputting order details from your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to your shipping software? If so, it’s time for a change.

When any business runs a fulfillment workflow involving multiple systems, issues arise when they don’t sync together seamlessly. Warehouse workers end up relying on manual data entry to pick, pack, and ship orders. 

This opens you up to the danger of costly errors, such as sending the wrong items or shipping to an incorrect address. On the importer’s side, these errors add up to frustrating delays in operations.

To improve order accuracy and protect your bottom line, look for an ERP system that integrates directly with your shipping solution. If you’re already using FedEx, you can explore a range of FedEx Compatible software solutions with built-in shipping functionalities. Features like automated shipping can streamline the shipping process, helping importers get their goods faster.

5. You’re at constant risk of cargo damage and loss in transit

Your shipment’s journey across air and sea can be fraught with risks – from damage caused by physical shocks to the rising threat of cargo theft. While there’s no foolproof method for preventing cargo damage and loss in transit, there are a few measures you can consider to protect your business.

Custom packaging can be a game-changer. Look at stocking up on customized foam inserts and crates, especially for fragile or uniquely shaped products. Seal off all packages with tamper-evident security tape. As well as deterring theft, it gives your customers extra assurance of a product’s integrity.

Shipping insurance is well worth the cost for importers and exporters too. By insuring all shipments, you can recoup costs for replacing or reshipping goods.

Finally, opt for shipping solutions that provide enhanced monitoring and intervention for high-value shipments. Check with your logistics provider for next-level shipping capabilities. Ask about on-package sensor monitoring, dedicated intervention support, and priority treatment for handling and intervention. All these features allow you to detect potential harm to your items in near real-time and take steps to intervene.

It's time to take the pain out of shipping

Ultimately, no logistics operation is without its challenges, but with the right strategies and partners, shippers can turn potential roadblocks into opportunities for growth and improvement. By focusing on continuous optimization and staying adaptable, businesses can ensure smoother operations and better customer satisfaction in the long run.

At FedEx, we’re always enhancing our shipping solutions to deliver better visibility and control for businesses, importers and exporters. Thanks to our improved Collaborative Shipping Tool on FedEx Ship Manager, shippers and importers can schedule a pickup in collaborative mode, eliminate pickup failure, and get shipments in the air faster.