Taking your business international is an exciting milestone as it presents a new opportunity to reach new audiences and explore fresh revenue streams. However, the process is rarely straightforward as logistics, extensive paperwork, and unexpected shipping costs can quickly become overwhelming, turning that dream into a complex and challenging task.
Here are six common challenges small business owners face when shipping globally—and some tips to help you navigate the entire process.
Difficulty in Managing Multiple Shipping Platforms
Receiving orders from an international audience is undoubtedly a reason to celebrate, but managing them across multiple shipping platforms, each with its own processes, can become a daunting challenge even for experienced SME owners. What starts as a few international sales can quickly escalate into a time-consuming and overwhelming task as you juggle between creating labels, tracking shipments, and ensuring compliance with different countries' regulations.
Unexpected costs
The unforeseen cost of international shipping can add up exponentially without a proper logistics system in place.
Shipping internationally exposes businesses to a range of hidden costs and they can be difficult to anticipate. Unexpected charges like additional customs fees or return expenses can quickly add up into significant financial setbacks. For businesses operating with tight margins, the consequences of these additional expenses can be especially severe. Each unforeseen charge chips away the profits, leaving businesses with fewer resources to reinvest in growth, marketing, or inventory.
Time Wasted on Endless Drop-Off Trips
Dropping off packages at different delivery centres or outlets might seem manageable at first, but it can quickly become overwhelming as the volume of orders increases. Many SME business owners find themselves caught in an endless cycle of logistics, adding strain to the already packed business schedules. Left unaddressed, these inefficiencies can lead to customer dissatisfaction and affect your brand’s reputation.
Worrying About Lost or Damaged Shipments
Uncertainty looms especially for international shipping as the cost for damaged or lost parcels are significantly higher.
Shipping internationally often brings a sense of uncertainty, as business owners stress over the safe and intact delivery of their parcels. This concern is heightened when dealing with fragile or high-value items, where the stakes are significantly higher.
Beyond the immediate expense of replacing or compensating for lost or damaged items, repeated shipping and customs clearance fees can significantly affect a company's overall profitability.
Costly Returns
Returns are an inevitable part of doing business, especially for those dealing with physical products. However, for international orders, the process becomes far more complex and expensive, especially when dealing with customs and recipient-related issues. Small businesses often find themselves absorbing these additional costs to stay competitive with other brands that provide seamless global return policies.
Over time, managing these returns can become a costly and tedious task
Keeping Customers Happy with Real-Time Updates
Real time shipment updates are essential. Do you have the right tool for the job?
Customers expect to stay informed about their parcel statuses at every stage, making real-time updates a standard in today's customer service. However, for small businesses, meeting this expectation can be a challenge when they do not have the right tools or systems.
While relying on manual processes or limited tracking capabilities may seem like a viable option, it often results in delays, miscommunication, and dissatisfied customers, ultimately impacting their purchase experience and loyalty towards your brand.
How to Solve These Challenges
Expanding your business internationally doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Recognising the unique challenges faced by SME business owners, Pos Malaysia has launched a range of tools and services designed to simplify your international shipping logistics.
Think international shipping, think Pos Malaysia SendParcel! We have just the right logistic system to manage all your global shipments.
With Pos Malaysia's SendParcel, you'll enjoy:
- A centralised dashboard to manage shipments effortlessly
- FREE* parcel pickups nationwide
- Transparent pricing (eg: no outskirt charges)
- Wide coverage that delivers to 200+ countries
- Affordable insurance add-ons
- FREE* returns due to unsuccessful delivery attempts or customs issues
- Real-time tracking with proof of delivery
Conclusion
Running a business is demanding, and international shipping shouldn't make it harder. Pos Malaysia understands challenges faced by your business and offers tailored solutions to meet your needs. With our support, you can grow your brand and reach new markets with ease.
Ready to simplify international shipping? Fill in this form, and we'll provide FREE consultation for your business international logistics needs. Take the next step forward for your brand to hit global success today!
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