The 3 most common causes of delays in international shipments
Identify the bottlenecks and prevent downtime in your logistics.
International logistics revolves around precision, but even minor disruptions can cause delays of days or weeks. Most problems arise at three crucial points: departure, transit, and arrival. By identifying these bottlenecks, you can take proactive measures – without being dependent on external factors.
Departure: the first hurdle
A shipment that does not depart on time immediately falls behind. This often happens due to:
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Incomplete documentation: missing commercial invoices, incorrect HS codes, or missing export declarations. Without the correct papers, customs blocks the shipment before it even leaves the country.
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Late handling by the carrier: if you book too late or miss the pickup time, the entire schedule shifts. Carriers adhere to strict Houthoff times, especially for air freight.
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Incorrect packaging: boxes that are too large, too heavy, or non-standardized lead to extra handling time or even refusal by the carrier.
Tip: Use a platform that automatically generates the correct documentation and alerts you to missing data – this way, you prevent delays at the source.
Transit: where most delays occur
During transport itself, there are countless moments when a shipment can be delayed. The most common causes:
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Customs checks: random sampling, suspicious contents, or inconsistencies in the declaration can lead to additional inspections. This can take hours to days, depending on the country.
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Transit delays: with air or sea freight, a shipment sometimes needs to be transshipped multiple times. If a flight or ship is delayed, your shipment will wait along with it.
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Weather conditions or strikes: extreme weather conditions, such as snowstorms or hurricanes, can block routes. Strikes at ports, airports, or at carriers themselves also lead to unexpected delays.
Tip: Choose a shipping option with as few transfers as possible. For example: direct flights instead of flights with layovers, or a single carrier instead of multiple.
Arrival: the final stretch
All sorts of things can still go wrong upon arrival in the destination country. The most common problems::
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Customs duties and taxes: if the recipient is unaware of potential import duties or VAT, the shipment may get stuck at customs. This applies especially to shipments outside the EU.
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Incorrect delivery addresses: a missing house number, incorrect postal code, or incomplete contact details mean the shipment cannot be delivered.
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Delivery attempts: if the recipient is not at home or cannot accept the package, the carrier will try again later. This can lead to additional delays, especially if the recipient does not respond to messages.
Tip: Ensure that the recipient is aware of potential costs and that all address details are correct. A platform with real-time tracking helps to monitor the shipment status and respond quickly to problems..
How Parcel International helps you minimize delays
With Parcel International, you not only compare rates from reputable carriers, but you also gain access to tools that help prevent delays:
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Automatic document generation: enter the details once, and the platform generates all necessary customs documents, including commercial invoices and export declarations.
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Real-time tracking: track your shipment from door to door, regardless of the carrier, and receive notifications of status changes.
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Choice of multiple carriers: choose the option with the fewest transfers or the fastest route so your shipment travels as smoothly as possible.
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Customs support: get help completing the correct documentation and avoid delays caused by incomplete or incorrect data.
Delays can never be completely prevented, but with the right preparation and tools, you can significantly reduce the risks. This ensures your shipment stays on schedule – even when circumstances are unfavorable.
