How to Ship Electronic Goods Internationally By Air

Do you feel curious to distribute your Electronic goods across the border? That too in a hassle-free manner? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered.

Electronic goods come under the category of finished goods and fragile items. And their shipping needs special attention towards their packing requirements. These are mostly transported or shipped by air because of their value-to-weight nature.

According to ‘aviation benefits’, around 40% of the value of the total international air cargo market is accounted for by the electronics industry. In this guide, you will learn how to ship electronic items in an effective manner. Along with proper packing and the important things you must keep in mind to ship by air.

Do you know which Countries import the most Electronics goods? 

Electronic shipping sends electronic goods throughout the world. It is because technology has made people dependent upon various electronic items.  

There is a continuous supply of electronic goods. People of all communities around the globe use these goods. But a few countries are giant consumers of electronic imports and here is the data from statista.com: 

It is the United States on the top of the list with import expenditures of around 300 to 400 billion dollars. China and Germany follow the list. China and the USA keep competing with each other but the other countries are far below them.  

Among the various electronic items these both countries import the most mobile phones. According to USA Customs, the USA imports around $113.1 billion worth of various phone system devices. 

Due to gadgets and other appliances, life has become easier for consumers. But the trade has become busy. Science is also evolving rapidly. It keeps inventing new electronic items which consume less energy. The models are changing on the daily basis.  

These are the rapid changes that keep the public replacing their home gadgets. This leads to an increase in demand and the industries continue producing them. Eventually, the shipping overseas of electronics continues. 

But shipping electronics internationally proper packaging, product standards, and compliances.  

How to Pack Your Electronic Goods: 

You can follow these packaging tips. It will ensure maximum safety for your electronic goods: 

• As a rule of thumb always keep the original packing intact and ship the product in its original packing.  
• Divide the product into many pieces and Keep the largest piece of the equipment separate. For example, if it is a phone so you would place its battery and casing and chargers separate 
• Now, all those individual parts should be in separate plastic bags. If there are wires or cords they should be tied well. 
• Double layer the larger pieces and bubble wrap them. Use duty tape over the bubble wrap 
• Take a large cardboard box to fill it with the packing peanut. 
• Now insert the largest electronic piece into the box. And then fill the rest of the box with the peanuts 
• Put the rest of the pieces in the box too. But make sure the other pieces don’t collide with each other. 
• Fill the box again with the peanuts 
• Shake the box after closing it. Make sure there isn’t movement inside 
• Tape the box after closing it. You have to close it and tape the box horizontally and vertically as well. 
• Take another box. This box should be a few inches larger than the first one and then put the first box in this one. 
• Fill the remaining space with the packing peanuts. And then shake it to make sure there is not any movement inside. 
• Tape again on all the sides of the box. 
• Paste the “fragile” label on the box in the end. 
• Now to find the shipping price you can weigh the whole package. 

Before shipment, you have to meet the standard quality checks of your products. The products have to go through quality control.  

Let’s see what exactly is a quality mark for electronic goods? 

Each country has its own quality mark and standards that the product has to be compliant with. If the product does not meet the standards then that product might be return or destroyed.  

You’ll wonder why there are such rules so here is the reason: 

The carrier has to be aware of any threat and be proactive. It has the responsibility of your product. The basic purpose is to provide maximum security.  

If you want to check your product’s sensitivity then these factors are important: 

• High temperatures 
• Moisture 
• Dust 
• Electronic discharge 
• Vibration 

Make sure one thing before shipping your electronic items anywhere. It should meet the EU compliance instructions. Let’s look at what is EU compliance. 

EU Compliance of Electronic items 

If you want to make Europe your market then you must have CE marking on your products. This CE marking is a sign of confidence upon the product that it is cautiously manufactured.  

This means it is gone through all safety measures in the process of its making. The product becomes is safe for health and the environment too if it is CE marked. You must have seen that CE marking in your appliances as well.  

These marks testify that these products are well according to the rules set by EU….  

There are few more instructions by EU Compliance. These relate to the manuals which manufacturer issues. These short booklets or technical files are called Declaration of Conformity (DoC). You have to prepare these files to ensure that this product conforms to the E.U requirements. 

Shipping electronics overseas require you to fulfill all the safety standards. 

What are the Safety Standards for Your Products? 

According to the Fair Trade Act, you must fulfill some standards. It is also to the safety of your products. In case violating any of those standards is considered illegal. But your products might have different safety standards. Because it depends upon which country are you trying to sell your products into? 

So, by way of giving you an example, let’s see  

What are Electronic Product Standard Regulations from the USA? 

To launch your products in international markets you have several steps to follow.  

The United States is one of the biggest electronic markets not in terms of just export but also import. There are a ridiculous amount of consumers in the USA of electronics.  

Shipping electronics to the U.S has different criteria. Your products are not regulated by and Regulatory body. Instead, you need FCC permits to sell your electronic products. . You will be able to put your products on the American market only if they are verified. It’s approved through FCC certification is necessary. So it is better to take an overview of these standards in detail.  

Electronic Product Standard Regulations for E.U. (European Union) 

If you are trying to ship your products to the E.U then you have to comply with their standards. 

Here are a few requirements as an example for you: 

• No use of hazardous substances: You have to follow RoHS which means restriction of hazardous substances. It is to make sure that no hazardous substance is used in the products.  
  Here are few examples of such hazardous substances: 
• Lead,  
• Mercury,  

• Cadmium  
• Hexavalent Chromium and others etc.  

The products should be RoHS lab tested. You can then paste the RoHS symbol on the product as well. 

• Low Voltage for electrical safety: You need verification of LVD (low voltage compliance) compliance. Therefore, LVD lab testing is necessary. 
   
• Follow EMC directive: You have to take care of the EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) directive. This is mandatory.  

It is necessary to prevent any sort of magnetic disturbances among the devices. That’s why they need EMC testing reports as well. 

Other requirements for E.U Shipping of Electronic Goods 

You’ll have to conduct various other testing for shipping overseas. It is needed especially in the EU market. Along with it, you have to submit other certifications and apply labeling as well. These are like CE labeling. 

Electronic Product standard Regulations for Gulf and Asia 

You need to comply again with the number of regulations to meet the standards. It includes: 

• GSO Conformity Tracking Symbol  

• and other requirements for HVAC and AC Units. 

Before shipping, make sure you fulfill the requirements of Low Voltage Electrical Equipment. It is to ensure safety and electromagnetic compatibility. 

You need these requirements to enter the Gulf Market of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).  

Do you think that is all that it takes to ship electronics all around?  

No, there’s more to it. Labeling! You have to take care of labeling. 

Creating Labeling for Shipping: 

The shipping labels are the most important document to send all kinds of packages or parcels. The label indicates: 

• The origin 
• Destination of the package 
• The weight,  
• size,  

• and type of service. 

 Knowing how to label a package for mailing is of utmost importance to both the sender and the recipient. Find out how to create a shipping label, how to avoid mistakes, and when to print the shipping label. 

How to Label a Package for Shipping 

Your Mistakes on the shipping label cause delivery failures. To place the parcel labels correctly you will need to:  

• Take out previous labels  

Take out all shipping labels that are on the package. Especially, make sure to cover or remove all barcodes or QR codes.  

• Clean the surface  

You need to place shipping labels on a clean dry surface   

• Attach the label securely.  

 You should make sure to place your shipping label on a stable and smooth surface. To label a small package, don’t try to bend the barcodes or the address. When you are labeling a pallet, make sure to place the label in a visible and safe place.  

• Protect the label   

 For protection, label a package or pallet is to cover the label with clear tape. It protects from scratches or moisture.  

There are few instructions related to labeling. It could be for commercial or private shipments. This includes: 

• barcodes,  
• recipient and sender addresses  
• The other codes necessary for logistics companies.  

But now one more step is remaining and a very important one. That is about the documentation. Which often becomes quite troublesome.   

What is the Documentation Required for Air Transportation?  

Air transportation in recent years has become increasingly popular. It is especially due to the ability to quickly and safely send cargo anywhere in the world.  

Sending and delivery of goods by air has its own characteristics. And one of them is related to the correct execution of the accompanying documents for the cargo.  

The main documents that are drawn up for international air cargo transportation are:  

• The Airway bill:  An air waybill is a document issued by a shipper. He is an authorized agent (depending on the terms of purchase and sale of goods). 
• Invoice: It is provided by the seller to the buyer. It contains: 
• A list of goods and services.  
• Their quantity 
• The price at which they were delivered to the buyer 
• The other information about the buyer and recipient.   
• Packing list: It is an optional document that includes details of your package. 

Other important Documentation required for shipping electronic goods 

You also need the following documents for the export: 

• The commercial and councilor invoice. 
• Certificate of Origin, (SED) known as Shipper’s Export Declaration. 
• Bill Of Lading, Export Packing list.  
• Inspection certificate for quality standard 

• Destination Control Statement and some other additional documentation.  

Conclusion 

The international trade might sound fun and exciting to you but there is also some tiring aspect of it too. And it is this to fulfill these requirements. Because if you miss any of them, your products might be returned. So make sure to follow these procedures.