Export Shipping Outside the EU, Documents and Procedure

Exporting goods outside the EU: shipping solutions and logistics services

The regulations and procedure for shipping and exporting goods outside EU countries can differ greatly depending on the origin and destination you wish to ship to. Likewise, the export shipping documentation required for each import-export procedure may be more complex compared to when shipping domestically: exporting goods or cargo to Australia will require different documentation than exporting goods to USA, for example. At Eurosender, we are experts on global shipping solutions as part of import-export process and offer a range of logistics services to suit any type of export-shipping of goods and cargo, as well as professional advice in your language, when you need it.

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Simplify your logistics processes by creating your own personalised dashboards. Ship goods for export outside the EU faster – with easy booking, multi-user capabilities, convenient payment options and the best rates for intercontinental shipping of goods and cargo. Register for free and join thousands of other businesses who dispatch goods every day with Eurosender for worldwide export.
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HOW YOU CAN EXPORT

Export consignment dispatch outside the EU: shipping services and logistics solutions

Whatever goods you are exporting outside the EU, Eurosender offers a range of shipping services to suit any logistics requirement and urgency:
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The export procedure for shipping goods outside the EU

  1. Once collected by the import-export logistics provider, your goods will go through export clearance at the carrier’s warehouse. You will be asked to provide the Sales Invoice, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin and an export license if applicable.
  2. Once cleared for export, the cargo is loaded for transport.
  3. Upon arrival at the destination’s port of entry, the parcel will be inspected by local customs and the export-import shipping documentation checked. Customs fees, duties and taxes will then be applied.
  4. Import duties and applicable taxes must be paid by either party, depending on the incoterms, in order to be released by customs.
  5. The goods can now continue their journey to the final destination.
  6. Upon delivery, the recipient should inspect the items to ensure no damage or loss has occurred during transport.

What to consider when exporting goods and cargo outside the EU

If you are thinking of dispatching an export consignment overseas as part of an export trade, you should first be aware of any restrictions which may prevent certain goods from being transported or imported into a particular country. As most countries have their own alliances and agreements when it comes to importing goods from abroad, these factors include:

  • Export controls: which restrict or forbid certain items from entering the country, or require the goods to be accompanied by a specific export license.
  • International sanctions and embargoed countries: restrictions on certain goods or certain countries due to political, economic, or defence reasons in order to protect national interests and human rights, makes exporting goods even more challenging and higher export costs may arise.
  • Restricted parties: certain individuals or organisations which are identified as engaging in terrorism, drugs, weapons or human trafficking may be blocked from export trade.

Step by step guide to export goods or products outside the EU

Once you have established that it is possible to export your goods to a particular destination, there are several other factors to consider before transporting goods abroad to destinations outside the EU or any other free-trade zone:

1. Target your customers
Are you selling directly to end-users, distributors or retailers? Each scenario comes with its own responsibilities and costs related to the transaction procedure, including shipping, export duties, customer support and returns. You must consider this to accurately calculate your costs, taxes and fees in order to establish if dispatching export orders is going to be profitable.
2. Incoterms
Incoterms are a set of rules, established by the International Chamber of Commerce, which dictate who is responsible for what along the export shipping process- in terms of transport, export-import procedure and documentation, taxes, fees and risks involved. When shipping goods and products for export outside the EU and trading with other businesses, Incoterms must be clearly stated on the selling/purchasing contract to avoid confusion, or risk goods being confiscated or destroyed as a result of non-payment of customs duties.
3. HS Codes
HS (Harmonised System) codes were created by the World Trade Organisation as a way to classify and identify all goods and commodities being imported and exported worldwide. It is important to use the correct code on your export order dispatch as each type of product has its own specific classification and the differences between some codes can be very minor. These codes outline if there is a particular license, permit, certificate or duty required as part of the import-export procedure and incorrect classification can result in huge fines.
4. Export declaration and other documentation
Before you can export your goods outside the EU, you will have to prepare an export declaration, which can be submitted electronically. When exporting goods to USA, for example, you may also be required to complete EEI filing (Electronic export information), but each country has its own export declaration procedure. You will also need to ensure that all other required export-import customs forms are completed, according to the regulations and restrictions.
5. The importance of preparation and export packaging
When exporting goods outside the EU or anywhere worldwide, it is important to package your goods carefully for a number of reasons. These not only include risk of damage and loss during transport due to the increased handling involved in a longer transit time and export-import procedures, but also unwanted attention which can result in theft or additional examinations by customs which will result in unnecessary delays. It is, therefore, important to choose your export packaging carefully, and where possible, choose plain packaging without logos which may cause unwanted attention.
6. Choose the right export-import logistics provider
As a new exporter, it is important to choose a trustworthy and experienced logistics provider and carrier to handle the international dispatch of your export orders, according to the type of goods being transported, the route and methods of transport required. International export of goods and products outside a free trade zone can involve a combination of transport, including road, sea, rail and air freight and choosing the right one can be risky. At Eurosender, we only partner with the most experienced and recognised import-export logistics providers, which specialise in the collection and delivery of certain goods. Instead of comparing thousands of different carriers and export logistics services, our platform will match you with the best carrier for the global export shipping of your products and cargo and the lowest cost.
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The export shipping documentation checklist

It is important to remember when dispatching an export consignment outside the EU that, depending on the type of products or cargo you wish to ship and the destination, different forms, documents and licenses may be required. Below is the list of shipping documentation required for export customs clearance:

  • Commercial invoice: which includes information about the goods being exported, quantity, value and seller’s details.
  • Packing list: stating the materials enclosed and the export packaging materials used for shipping the goods. This is especially important for insurance claims.
  • Bill of lading: which serves as proof of collection of the dispatched export goods or cargo by the courier company and states what is being shipped, origin, destination and condition of goods for export shipping.
  • Certificate of origin: provided by the manufacturer, specifying the country of production of the goods being exported outside the EU.
  • Certificate of conformity: is required by some countries in the case that goods are to be tested and analysed before their export dispatch. It is the sender’s responsibility to ensure that the manufactured goods are tested in the country of origin.
If you are unsure if additional export shipping documents, permits or licenses are required when exporting goods outside the EU, please contact the customs offices in both the exporting and importing countries.

Why choose Eurosender when shipping
goods and products for export outside the EU?

By choosing Eurosender as your global shipping service mediator when preparing a large export consignment dispatch, you not only save time when searching for the right logistics provider and service for global import-export, but you will also enjoy a range of benefits including:

Access to some of the lowest export shipping costs on the market

Expert assistance and real-time tracking every step of the way

Fast booking, with additional payment methods

Insurance included in the price, with additional coverage also available

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FAQ about shipping goods and cargo for export outside the EU

How much are the duties and import-export fees when dispatching export orders globally and how are they calculated?
When exporting goods outside the EU or any other free-trade zone, customs fees are calculated based on a number of factors, so each global export shipment dispatch will have its own duties to be paid and unfortunately cannot be predefined. These include:
  • Value of goods being exported: which determines the amount of customs duties and VAT to be paid in the country of import. To avoid delays during the import and export procedure it is important to quote the cargo value accurately on the Purchase order, Commercial invoice or Proforma invoice
  • Customs tariff: according to the HS classification of the exported goods or products. Some commodities are subject to higher tariffs during the export-import customs clearance than others.
  • Origin of the goods: as many trade zones benefit from lower tax rates due to a special import-export arrangement, while others impose higher import taxes to be paid due to anti-dumping duties, trade embargoes or quota restrictions.
How to start shipping goods for export outside the EU with Eurosender?
Dispatching export orders outside the EU is easy with the right logistics providers and services. Here’s how the export-shipping procedure looks like with Eurosender:
  1. Become a registered user to create your own free logistics department and start controlling your export shipment dispatches more efficiently
  2. Place your export order on our platform and enjoy faster bookings with customised settings according to your own preferences and extra payment options
  3. Or, request an individual offer for international export shipments and ask our experts about additional insurance options
  4. Prepare your export shipment according to our packaging guidelines to ensure your goods are protected
  5. Don’t seal your parcels immediately – as export-import logistics providers must check the contents for prohibited and restricted items first
Does Eurosender handle the export documentation as well?
When booking export shipping services with Eurosender, you get to cooperate with the best freight forwarders as well as customs brokers on the market. This being said, our specialists, together with the freight broker assigned, will guide you through the whole customs procedure and help you with the export documentation until the process is finished.
What happens if damage or loss occurs during the export shipping of goods and cargo? Will insurance apply?
To avoid issues when making a claim for any damage or loss occurred during the shipping of exported goods, you should always state the condition of your export products on the relevant documents and take pictures of the goods before the order dispatch. Likewise, the recipient should always inspect the goods prior to accepting the delivery, to avoid liability. At Eurosender, the safety of our customers’ goods is paramount, which is why we offer several options for shipping insurance when shipping goods for export outside the EU or any other free trade zone. To find out which insurance is right for your export shipment, don’t hesitate to contact our experts who can answer any of your questions related to international export-import of products and cargo.
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