How to reduce your international shipping time
How to reduce your international shipping time
How to reduce your international shipping time
Want to help increase international customer satisfaction?
Ship faster.
It seems simple enough—but when it comes to selling globally, businesses often struggle with getting orders to customers in a timely fashion.
FedEx® International Connect Plus (FICP) is part of a portfolio of services that can help businesses enjoy a balance of speed and cost, available for shipments that weigh less than 70 lbs. and do not contain hazardous materials. Customers say their shipping times can be half as short or less since they’ve started shipping internationally with the service.
"The excitement from a customer who receives an international package within four days is amazing, instead of four to six weeks with a competitor," says Chapel Administrator Jared Swan of the Chapel Library, a nonprofit ministry that ships books internationally.
FICP helps Chapel Library keep up with their growing demand. “Without FICP we would lose our efficiency in getting packages where they need to go quickly and in one piece,” Jared said.
As with Chapel Library, Premiere Book Group’s international packages were taking longer to arrive before the company switched to FICP. Since then, their shipments have been faster— and they’ve grown in volume 67% year over year (2021 to 2022).
“The turnaround time was a constant challenge,” says president Joel Strycharz, whose company ships books to over 122 countries. “When we switched over, we were seeing packages arriving in Australia in eight days and France and Germany in three days, and typically those would take 14 to 20 days.”
Speed matters
Nearly 32% of global shoppers have abandoned a purchase because the shipping wasn’t fast enough.
32%
GLOBAL
37%
NORTH AMERICA
32%
EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA
28%
ASIA PACIFIC
How does FICP deliver packages sooner? By speeding up the process before the items are even shipped and helping customers with everything from navigating customs to helping their packages get delivered as intended.
“They’ve been great with helping me reroute and stop shipments. Anything that I need, I have quick access through our portal. They also make sure all our customs documentation is implemented correctly in our system so there’s no delays,” says Bradley “Mikey” Mills, who works in shipping and logistics for online gaming business Troll and Toad. Mikey switched to FICP because he wanted fast, tracked shipping at an affordable cost to keep repeat international customers happy.
International reach is important to Platinum Skin Care, too, a company that helps people around the world treat their skin care issues. As of now, they’ve had no package issues with FICP and have gotten help navigating the complex customs rules and regulations of other countries and territories.
“We want people who do business with us to be super excited because they get their packages lickety-split,” says Jennifer Tilney, the company’s founder and president. “There's nothing better than having a testimonial on your website like ‘Oh, I placed my order and bam! I got it three days later,’ especially from a global customer.”
Working with FedEx has helped these customers build credibility, encourage repeat orders, and stay active in the international marketplace.
“For my customers, cost and speed of delivery are critical. FedEx International Connect Plus provides us a perfect rate at a super-fast speed, and that is so important,” says Jennifer.
To learn more about what FICP can do for your business, click here.
Chapel Library is a nonprofit ministry of Mount Zion Bible Church whose mission is to send Christ-centered materials from prior centuries worldwide.
Premiere Book Group is an independent bookselling business in operation since 2003 with solutions to market and sell book titles across a range of business channels.
Troll and Toad is a 25-year-old online gaming business that sells trading cards, collectible cards, and board games and provides a place for users to sell their old games.
Platinum Skin Care provides anti-aging and medical-grade skin care, acne treatment, peels, and body care products for their customers’ needs.
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