An international delivery company is an essential component of the supply chain process. They move cargo across borders, handle international customs authorities and transports goods to the recipient. All this helps turn the wheels of commerce. The company is much more than a mere transport company – it works more like a partner to the seller.

Such delivery companies are connected with a network to different companies. Let’s understand the logistics of an international delivery company with the help of an example: Company A in Country X wants to dispatch goods to Company B in Country Y. These are the steps that will be involved:

1. Pickup of goods from Company A’s warehouse, packing and loading.

2. Transport of goods to airport/port.

3. Necessary export formalities.

4. Receipt of goods in Country Y.

5. Attending to customs

6. Transport of goods to Company B.

Now, here’s how an the various delivery companies tackle this consignment:

1. It will use its own fleet or hire fleet from a trucking firm to pick up the goods from Company A’s warehouse. Now, the goods may need to be packed in one or more containers. So, the delivery will have to handle this by sending packing and loading experts to the customer’s warehouse. The containers can be owned by the delivery company or these can be hired.

2. Its employees will receive the goods at the airport or port.

3. These employees will then attend to export formalities and ensure that the goods are loaded correctly. Big companies like DHL and FedEx even have their own feet of airplanes so that they can offer uninterrupted or convenient service to their clients.

4. When the goods reach Country Y, the company’s or its associate’s employees receive the goods and check their condition. If the goods are visibly damaged, they prepare reports for filing an insurance claim.

5. They then attend to customs formalities.

6. After completion of customs formalities, the next step is to safely transport the goods to Company B. Big delivery companies are spread over all over the world and will have own a fleet of trucks in all global branches. Small delivery companies will already be networked with trucking firms in many countries. Either way, the goods are delivered and appropriate documentation is executed.

7. If for some reason the goods cannot be transported, the delivery company will park these in their own or at a rented warehouse.

So, as you will observe from the example, an international delivery is networked with many suppliers – airlines, ocean cargo movers, container companies, trucking firms, warehouses, legal experts, other international delivery companies, and more – both at the national and the international level. It is also staffed with legal professionals who can handle customs formalities and prepare insurance reports.

Most companies can handle any type of cargo no matter how fragile or valuable it may be. These companies either own or hire the equipment and manpower that is required to carry all types of cargo from one country to another. The world of international trade is very complex and both buyers and sellers need someone who can ship the goods and take their headaches away so that they can focus on their core business. This is where an international delivery company helps out by acting as a bridge across continents and enabling commerce.

New York to London – next day delivery? No problem! With Christmas time just around the corner, global retailers and online retailers are starting seasonal promotions to help kick off the festive spending spree. Many of us will soon sit down with a cup of coffee in front of a computer browsing gift ideas for family and friends. What some of us might not realise though is where the retailer (sometimes also known as eTailer) is actually based – and I don’t mean where they are based within the UK, I mean the world.

Online retailing has grown massively in the last 10 years, and sales figures peak massively around Christmas time, but its fair to say that without the support of International Courier companies these online retailers would not have been able to grow at the pace they have if they were not able to distribute their items efficiently to customers.

The International Courier may have become something that we take for granted. After all, getting around the globe seems to becoming an everyday occurrence for millions of people and is no longer something considered only by the rich and elite within society.

What should never, ever be taken for granted though is the planning and expertise that goes into fulfilling an international shipment.

Each shipment may change hands 5 or 6 times depending on its destination, and within that exchange the parcel needs to be logged in and out of a hub where it may spend any period of time waiting for the collection and next stage of its journey. On top of that the international courier must handle all things concerned with customs and excise which is no easy task as different borders may require different protocols to be upheld.

The different types of transport that the courier companies need to use to extend their network world wide and support global retailers can vary from job to job. The method of transportation can often depend on the type of package that is being shipped. For example, it would be very difficult to get larger, bulky items into an aircraft so shipping by sea might be the only option. For smaller time sensitive deliveries air travel is the best way to go as it is much quicker and cost effective for smaller items.

International Couriers aren’t new to us or the industry, but they are becoming more common place than ever. They silently get about their work whilst we sit in front of our computers ordering gifts and products that eventually turn up on our doorstep. The next time you order something from the U.S. for example, why not take a moment to think about exactly how it has ended up on your doorstep.