International Shipping Guide
International Shipping Guide — From Choosing the Method to Delivery
International shipping looks complicated because many parties are involved: a carrier, a port, customs, a broker and a consignee. This guide lays out the whole picture — what you choose, what you prepare and what we handle.
Step one: choosing the method
There are three methods, and each suits a different case. The common mistake is choosing by price alone or by speed alone.
🚢 Sea freight
By far the most cost-effective for large shipments — a full household, a car or commercial goods. It’s the main route for most distant destinations.
Full container for your shipment alone · Shared shipping where you share a container and pay for your volume
✈️ Air freight
The fastest when the cost of delay outweighs the price difference — urgent shipments, high-value items and documents.
Note: the carrier charges the higher of actual weight and volumetric weight — good packing saves real money here.
🛣️ Land freight
The best route for destinations reachable by road — faster than sea, cheaper than air, and delivered door to door.
🧮 Not sure? Use the Shipping Methods Comparison tool — enter the volume, weight and urgency, and it recommends the best option and explains why.
Step two: documents
What holds up shipments most isn’t the vessel — it’s a missing paper. Documents vary with the type of shipment:
| Shipment type | Essential documents |
|---|---|
| 🛋️ Household goods & personal effects | Bill of lading · detailed packing list · sender’s ID · proof of the consignee’s residence · declaration that the effects are used |
| 📦 Commercial goods | Commercial invoice · packing list · certificate of origin · commercial registration · VAT number · conformity certificates for some items |
| 🚗 Car | Valid registration · owner’s ID · finance clearance letter · release certificate · power of attorney if needed |
| 📄 Parcels & documents | Air waybill · invoice or value declaration · full consignee details |
⚠️ Three mistakes that hold shipments at the port
- A generic packing list such as “household items” — customs rejects it and asks for a detailed item-by-item inventory.
- Undervaluing goods on the invoice — a regulatory violation that can lead to a fine or confiscation, and something we don’t take part in.
- Incomplete consignee details — a missing mobile number alone can delay delivery by days after the shipment arrives.
Step three: customs and duties
Duties aren’t calculated on the goods’ value alone but on the customs value — the goods, freight and insurance combined. Then VAT is added to the total after duty.
The formula, in order
- Customs value = goods value + freight cost + insurance
- Customs duty = customs value × tariff line rate
- Tax base = customs value + duty
- VAT = tax base × the VAT rate in the destination country
🧾 To estimate this yourself, use the Duty & VAT Estimator — it shows the formula step by step with an indicative table of rates.
📌 One point to agree on in advance: destination charges are usually paid by the consignee. Agree on this with them before shipping, not after — it’s the most common cause of disputes between sender and consignee.
Step four: transit time
Transit time isn’t a single number but the sum of four stages — and delays usually happen in the third stage, not the second:
📥 Pickup & preparation
Collecting the shipment, packing it and preparing the documents
🚚 Actual transport
Time on the road, at sea or in the air
🛃 Customs & release
The stage where delays happen most — it depends on how complete your documents are
🏠 Final delivery
From the port or border to the consignee’s address
⏱️ To estimate the transit time, use the Transit Time Calculator — it shows the time broken down into the four stages.
What we handle
- Recommending the method that suits your case — not the most expensive one
- Pickup from your location and packing suited to the route and transit time
- Preparing the bill of lading and packing list in a customs-acceptable format
- Customs clearance at export and arrival
- Following up on the shipment and updating you at every stage
- Delivery to the consignee’s address
Useful tools before booking
A document checklist based on your shipment type
🧾 Duty & VAT Estimator
Understand the formula and estimate your cost
⏱️ Transit Time Calculator
Transit time broken down by stage
⚓ Ports & border crossings
A map of border crossings, ports and airports
Your international shipment, under one responsibility
From packing to clearance and delivery — one company that follows up and answers you.