As a Massachusetts small business, we’re incredibly proud of the local small business community. There’s undoubtedly more innovation, spirit, and drive in small businesses than you’ll find in giant corporations. It’s just a matter of having the resources to grow a small business efficiently – which is why we’re thrilled to see that Massachusetts received $375K to support small business export growth.
Let’s talk about what that means for the real business owner. Do you know what I’d do when hearing that news, if I was a manufacturer or other small business owner? I’d be Googling “international shipping companies near me” because that’s the missing part of the puzzle. I know how to make great products. I know how to sell and close deals. It’s just the logistics of getting my products from here in Massachusetts to customers in Europe or South America or Japan that I don’t know how to handle.
Why Outsourcing International Shipping Makes Sense
While many small businesses handle the majority of their shipping on their own, international shipping can be a different story. Each country has its own set of rules and regulations about what can and can’t be allowed into the country. Packages must conform to freight carrier standards as well as international law, and the delivery, insurance, customs and tax information that must travel with the shipment needs to be absolutely correct.
If you’re not 100% absolutely sure about what you’re doing, it’s worth investing a little money with a professional who knows how to do the job properly. International shipping companies provide a variety of services including custom crating, packing, palleting, freight forwarding, and more. Many small businesses, especially those who are new to international and export sales, find it valuable to outsource international shipments until such time as the volume of these orders makes developing this specific expertise in house cost effective.
