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International Shipping

PostedJune 2, 2021
UpdatedJune 8, 2021

GSI utilizes FedEx International for all international parcel orders and freight forwarders for all international freight orders. All international shipments are subject to duties and taxes specific to the destination. Please note, Canadian orders are the exception and are not shipped FedEx, instead they are shipped via UPS.

To ship internationally you will need to determine the following information:

  • Purpose of the shipment: The purpose of the shipment (commercial, gift, sample, return and repair, personal effects or personal use) can have a significant impact on customs. The shipment purpose can drive the need for certain customs document requirements as well as impact duties and tax calculations.
  • Commodity’s value: The declared value for carriage is the replacement value of the goods being shipped. It serves as the basis for computing freight charges and limiting the carrier’s liability for damage, loss or delay. The declared value for customs is your shipment’s true monetary value, and may affect the transit time and when your shipment will arrive. It also determines how much import duty the package recipient must pay. Declared customs value is usually higher than carriage value.
  • Commodity’s Country of origin or manufacture: This is the country in which the commodity was grown or manufactured. This information helps to determine any additional customs documents needed and potentially impacts the associated duties and taxes.
  • Commodity code in the Harmonized System (HS): Every commodity needs to be properly classified under the Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) codes to meet the U.S. and foreign governments’ customs requirements. The HTS assigns six-digit codes for general categories. Countries that use the HTS are allowed to define commodities at a more detailed level than six digits, but all definitions must be within that six-digit framework. You must have a HS code for each commodity you ship. This code is also recommended to be included on your commercial invoice. Without the correct code, your shipment may be delayed, and you might receive a fine or more expensive tariffs.
  • Estimated duties and taxes: GSI does not usually calculate duties and taxes as this is the responsibility of the receiver. If necessary, please visit Duties and Taxes for more information.

PARCELS – FEDEX INTERNATIONAL

How to make an international shipping label: When filling out the international shipping label, provide the sender’s and recipient’s names, addresses and phone numbers. Then, add the description, quantity and value of the commodities in the shipment, along with the weight of the package.

When creating a label for international shipments, use FedEx.com and complete the following steps:

  1. Log-in to FedEx.com.
  2. Select the Shipping tab.
  3. From the drop-down, select “Create a Shipment”.

Step 1 – From

  1. Enter the shippers address in the From field including:
    1. Your name: Enter your first and last name.
    2. Company: This field is not mandatory but can help the courier locate the place to pick up the package.
    3. Country/Location: Use this drop-down menu to choose the country from which you are shipping.
    4. Address: Enter the address from which you are shipping.
    5. Phone Number: If there are problems with this shipment, FedEx may need to contact the shipper for advice on necessary actions to help minimize service delays.

Step 2 – To

  1. Enter the recipients address in the To field including:
    1. Recipient name: Enter the recipient’s first and last name. The recipient is the person that you are shipping this package to.
    2. Company: If applicable, enter the recipient’s company name. This field is mandatory if the company is the actual recipient.
    3. Country/Location: Use this drop-down menu to choose the recipient country.
    4. Address: Enter the recipient’s address. This is the delivery address for shipment
    5. Phone Number: If there are problems with this shipment, FedEx may need to contact the recipient for advice on necessary actions to help minimize service delays.
    6. Email Notifications: Enter the recipient’s email address to provide notification when FedEx has picked up the shipment, when FedEx anticipates the package will be delivered, a proof of delivery when it’s delivered, and a notification of problems with delivery.
    7. This is a residential address
      • Select this option to indicate that you are shipping to a residence within the U.S. instead of a business address. A residential address is a home or private residence, even if a business is operated from the home.
      • FedEx will automatically check the residential address box if our records indicate the address is a residence. You may choose to deselect the box.
      • Residential deliveries for most shipments no longer require a signature for FedEx Express® deliveries unless you select a FedEx® Delivery Signature Option.

Step 3 – Package & Shipment Details 

  1. Update the Ship Date to today.
  2. Select the number of packages.
  3. Enter the Weight.
  4. Select the Service Type.
  5. From the Packaging Type drop-down, select “Your Packaging”.
  6. Enter the Dimensions including Length, Width, and Height.
  7. Next to Package Contents, select “Product/Commodities”.
  8. Select the Shipment Purpose. In most cases, the purpose is Commercial.
    1. Products – Shipment Purposes
      Select the shipment purpose from the drop-down menu. This information prints on the Commercial Invoice.

      • Commercial: Any shipment being sold or sent free of charge, from one business entity to another, for the purpose of being re-sold or otherwise consumed in the course of business.
      • Gift: Any shipment containing articles to be given as an unsolicited gift, from one private individual to another private individual, which are not being shipped by a business nor consigned to a business.
      • Sample: Any shipment containing articles sent free of charge and marked or mutilated or otherwise made unsuitable for sale or use except as commercial samples, shipped with the view of soliciting an order or as a mock-up to furthering an existing order from the foreign entity.
      • Return and Repair: Articles being shipped for repair or articles previously exported for repairs which are being returned following the repair.
      • Personal Effects: Any shipment containing used personal articles such as unaccompanied baggage and household goods being shipped for relocation.
      • Personal User: Any shipments containing new goods for personal consumption purchased abroad and shipped back to a private individual.
  9. Enter the Total Customs Value

Step 4 – Billing Details 

  1. Select “SupesClos Fedex-478”, in the field titled Bill transportation to
  2. Select “Recipient”, in the field titled Bill duties/taxes/fees to
    1. Note: If this is a return or replacement shipment, change this field to “SupesClos Fedex-478”
  3. Erase the Account No. if it has been auto-populated.
  4. Enter the SO number in the text box titled Your Reference
  5. Tax ID Number: Enter this information if you have a tax ID number as it may help in clearing your shipment through customs.
    • For companies, the tax ID is the identification number such as GST/RFC/VAT/IN/EIN/EORI, or as locally required.
    • For private individuals, please enter the personal tax number or Social Security number of your recipient

Special Services 

  1. From the drop-down titled Signature type, select “Direct signature required”.

Pickup/Drop-off

  1. Select “Use an already scheduled pickup at my location”.

Step 5 – Complete your Shipment

  1. Select Ship
  2. Print labels

FREIGHT – FREIGHT FOWARDERS 

International freight requires a number of documents and may include:

  1. Proforma Invoice
  2. Commercial Invoice
  3. Packing List
  4. Certificates of Origin
  5. Shipper’s Letter of Instruction (SLI)
  6. Bills of Lading

These requirements vary based on delivery location and freight forwarder.

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