International Shipping As You Grow
From Bowlegs, Oklahoma
We are well known for our Tornado Alley BBQ Sauce and are beginning to embrace international shipping for our BBQ sauce.
We started off small and just shipped samples through the USPS and small orders through UPS and FedEx. It worked for some countries like Germany but certainly didn't work for Mexico (Yikes!).
Here is what is happening now. We are moving past the small stage and on to the big stage which requires international shipping. We have two new distributors (big ones!) in South Korea and in Colombia.
When the orders get bigger and bigger what do we do about shipping internationally? Right now we don't think we have enough of an order for a full container but if things go as planned by next year we will.
Signed,
*Disclaimer: The names of exporters and their stories have been changed to protect their identity. The names and expertise of our advisors are very real and often understated. The story is funny, the advice is authentic.
Dear Linda Kay and Brave Friends in Bowlegs,
It is excellent to see you planning ahead for the big stage and beginning the process of international shipping your BBQ sauce. What we at Bestway like to do is to work with your customers as they grow. You are correct the USPS works fine for samples, depending on the import country’s level of service. The USPS is rated the #1 postal service in the world but not all others are up to the same level, so beware.
Of course, as you continue to grow, you will need to develop a logistics plan. First, determine which of the four modes of transportation is best for your quantity, time and cost requirements. You will use one of the four modes of shipping – air, ocean, rail or truck when international shipping. Utilizing more than one mode is referred to as multimodal. You will also need to calculate your landed costs which means determining the final cost to land your product in the other country. This will include many “hidden costs” such as tariffs, union fees, harbor fees. Your freight forwarder ( your BFF-Best Friend Forever) will assist you in doing this.
International shipping by ocean is much cheaper than air but there are some things to consider. The time it takes to deliver will be longer especially if you have less than a container. A full container (20’ or 40”) is called an FCL-Full Container Load and and if you cannot fill a container, you will have an LCL-Less than Container Load. The LCL must be transported to a warehouse for consolidation with other LCLs.
Before you proceed, you need to check the regulations!! If the USDA has not given any red flags in regards to the components of the BBQ sauce you’re only half way there. You still need to work with your distributor to determine the testing required to import the food product into the foreign country. Are any health certificates required? There will be a government agency that is similar to the USDA. Remember, without this approval your shipment will be stopped at customs. Of course your BFF, your freight forwarder, will assist you but always remember the responsibility lies with you because you are the USPPI-the U.S. Principal Party of Interest.
So you have decided the best mode of shipment, determined your landed costs, paying attention to any “hidden costs” and checked out the regulations on both sides of the ocean. As you sell more and grow always keep in mind when international shipping your BBQ sauce to follow the same steps for each new country and always remember your BFF is always your freight forwarder.
You can learn more about international shipping BBQ sauces and a wide range of other products as you grow your business by checking out our WORKBOOK & TRAINING so you can solve the riddle of the exporter and grow successfully!
If you are still unsure whether you can solve the riddle of exporting, check out what others have said about the 8 step process over on our testimonials page.
If you have any issues or any further questions give us a holler here!
Best of luck Mike and Linda, hoping to be your new BFF!
Source: Mike Mahony, Linda Reynolds, Hellman Logistics-Bestway International Kansas City, Missouri
