10 International Shipping Challenges and How to Overcome Them

You expected your shipment to arrive on time… but then customs flagged it, your carrier couldn’t give a straight update, and the final costs ended up nowhere near your original estimate.

If you’ve dealt with unexpected delays, missing paperwork, unclear duties, or zero visibility in transit, it’s likely what brought you here. International shipping can be unpredictable — even for seasoned teams.

This guide breaks down the most common challenges businesses face when shipping across borders — and what you can do to stay ahead of them.

What are the Most Common Challenges in International Shipping?

From customs delays to rising freight costs, international shipping comes with a set of challenges that can quickly derail even the best-planned operations.

1. Tariffs and Customs Duties

If there's one thing that keeps international shippers on edge... it’s tariffs. These duties aren't just complicated — they’re constantly changing.

One quarter, your product might slide through at 5%, and by the next, you’re staring at 12% because a new trade policy kicked in.

This is especially true right now, with the U.S. imposing a blanket 10% tariff on imports and China responding with new anti-dumping duties as high as 74.9% on plastics from the U.S., EU, and Japan.

And then there’s the EU — which just slapped a €2 flat tax on low-value imports, targeting platforms like Temu and Shein.

It’s a lot to keep up with. Miss an update, and you’re stuck with unexpected costs, customs delays, or worse... fines that cut deep into your margins.

How to Overcome

1. Check Trade Agreements: Before shipping, check if your destination country has a trade agreement in place. It could reduce or eliminate duties on certain products.
2. Use a Landed Cost Calculator: Estimate total shipping costs in advance (duties, tariffs, fees) using a landed cost calculator or trade compliance software.
3. Consult a Customs Broker: A licensed customs broker can help you navigate changing tariff rates and avoid unexpected charges.
4. Keep Tariff Classifications Updated: Regulations shift often — regularly review and update how your products are classified to avoid misapplied duties.

→ Integration Platform ensures that product data and shipping details stay aligned across your stack, minimizing errors in documentation.

2. Incorrect Classification and Category Codes (HS Codes)

HS codes might look like a boring string of digits... but mess one up, and it can wreck your shipment.

These codes determine how much duty you’ll pay and whether your goods get flagged for extra clearance. One wrong number? Suddenly your harmless kitchen tool is classified as industrial equipment — with a way higher duty rate.

Worse, customs might hold your shipment while they figure out what’s going on.

Recently, authorities around the world have gotten stricter — especially in high-tension trade lanes like U.S.–China, where code misuse is now a major audit trigger.

That's why more companies are shifting toward automated classification tools to reduce human error... because when you’re shipping at scale, even small mistakes snowball fast.

How to Overcome

1. Double-Check Product Descriptions: Match your product’s specs (material, use, size, etc.) to the right HS code. Don’t rely on general assumptions.
2. Use Official Customs Databases: Refer to your destination country's customs website or the World Customs Organization’s HS code reference.
3. Involve Product Teams: Make sure those who know the product best (e.g., engineers or sourcing staff) are involved in code selection.
4. Set Internal Review Protocols: Before shipping, validate the HS code in your documentation — ideally with input from a compliance expert.

→ Shipping Automation supports error-free documentation by syncing product-level shipping data across all orders.

3. Complex Customs Clearance Procedures

Customs clearance isn’t just paperwork — it’s a puzzle that changes from country to country.

One destination might need a simple invoice and HS code, while another wants certificates of origin, local-language labels, and product testing certifications.

And if you're not ready with every document upfront? Expect your shipment to sit at the port... costing you both time and storage fees.

Recently, clearance got even trickier — the EU removed its de minimis rule, meaning all imports (even low-value parcels) now require full VAT compliance.

That’s caused delays for thousands of eCommerce brands that weren’t set up to handle these new requirements.

Customs enforcement is tightening too — which means there’s zero wiggle room for guessing your way through the process.

How to Overcome

1. Create a Country-Specific Checklist: Each country has different requirements. Prepare a checklist for each market to ensure you include all documents.
2. Digitize Your Paperwork: Use tools that auto-generate customs docs — like invoices, certificates of origin, and packing lists — and save them securely.
3. Work with Customs Brokers: They know the nuances of local customs laws and can flag missing requirements before your goods get stuck.
4. Add Buffer Time: Always expect some delay. Pad your delivery timeline to account for clearance lags and avoid disappointing customers.

→ With Click-n-Ship, shipping labels and key documents can be auto-generated per order and region.

4. Shipping Costs and Volatility

Shipping costs aren’t just high — they’re unstable.

One week, you're budgeting based on predictable rates… the next, a Red Sea reroute, fuel price spike, or carrier capacity crunch throws everything off.

Even something as simple as port congestion in Asia or a labor dispute in the U.S. can cause freight costs to surge overnight.

That’s a huge problem if you’re quoting customers in advance — because by the time that shipment leaves the dock, your margin might already be gone.

With freight rates jumping 30–50% on some lanes this year alone, smart shippers are leaning into carrier management platforms and rate comparison tools just to stay one step ahead.

How to Overcome

1. Compare Carrier Rates Regularly: Don’t stick to just one shipping provider. Compare prices across carriers and shipping modes (air, ocean, rail) before every shipment.
   
   
2. Book in Advance for Lower Rates: Early bookings (especially for sea freight) help lock in better rates and ensure capacity.
   
   
3. Use Freight Forwarders Wisely: Good forwarders can consolidate shipments and negotiate better rates on your behalf.
   
   
4. Build Flexibility Into Your Budget: Leave room in your shipping budget to adjust for fuel surcharges, emergency fees, or rerouting costs.
   
   

→ Carrier Management Platform lets you access, compare, and choose from your preferred carriers on one screen.

5. Transit Time and Delivery Delays

You can plan everything perfectly… and still watch your timeline fall apart.

A port worker strike, sudden weather issue, or even a customs backlog in a transit country can throw off delivery by days (or more).

By now, we've already seen how Red Sea tensions and Panama Canal restrictions have added days — even weeks — to some routes.

For businesses moving perishable goods or operating under strict SLAs, delays like these aren’t just frustrating — they’re expensive.

And while some delays are out of your control, not knowing about them until it's too late? That's what really hurts.

That’s why having real-time visibility isn’t optional anymore… it’s the only way to react fast and avoid blind spots.

How to Overcome

1. Offer Multiple Shipping Options: Give customers the choice between fast and economical delivery — that way, you manage both speed and cost expectations.
2. Avoid Over-Reliance on One Route: If one port is congested, have a secondary plan (e.g., alternate port, transshipment route, or shipping mode).
3. Use Real-Time Tracking: Track your shipments from end to end. If delays occur, you can inform customers quickly or reroute if needed.
4. Ship Earlier During Peak Seasons: For holidays or high-demand months, ship 2–3 weeks earlier than usual to avoid known delays.

→ With Carriyo’s Checkout Platform, you can present dynamic delivery options based on region, carrier, and ETA.

6. Supply Chain Disruptions

When one part of your supply chain breaks... it all breaks.

Whether it’s a component stuck in Shenzhen, a supplier delay in Vietnam, or a rail strike in Europe, these disruptions ripple out fast.

What makes it harder now is how interconnected everything has become — a single upstream delay can impact three downstream deliveries across different continents.

And let’s not forget, we’re still in a time of unstable geopolitics and frequent labor disruptions.

Companies that haven’t diversified suppliers, routes, or carriers are feeling the squeeze the most.

How to Overcome

1. Diversify Your Supplier Base: Don’t rely on one vendor or region. Have backups in different countries in case of regional disruptions.
2. Use Multiple Carriers: Working with more than one logistics partner ensures better options if one provider is affected by strikes or delays.
3. Keep Emergency Stock: For key SKUs, store safety stock in strategic locations close to your target market.
4. Monitor Global Events: Keep an eye on trade news, weather alerts, and labor issues — and have a plan in place to adapt quickly.

→ Carrier Management simplifies this by managing all carrier integrations from one place.

7. Compliance with Trade Regulations

Trade rules can shift overnight... and missing a change can cost you.

In 2025, the U.S. introduced the Chip Security Act, mandating AI chip manufacturers to verify chip locations before exports, aiming to curb unauthorized technology transfers to China.

Simultaneously, the U.S. expanded its Entity List, restricting exports to additional Chinese tech firms. These rapid policy shifts mean that what was permissible yesterday might be prohibited today.

Failing to stay updated can lead to fines, shipment holds, or even loss of export privileges.

How to Overcome

1. Stay Updated with Trade News: Sign up for trade compliance newsletters or subscribe to regulatory updates from key markets you ship to.
2. Use Trade Compliance Software: These tools alert you when restrictions change or new documentation is needed.
3. Document Everything: Keep clear records of every compliance check and declaration in case of audits or investigations.
4. Train Your Team: Make sure your logistics and shipping staff are up-to-date on trade rules — especially when shipping to new markets.

8. Documentation Requirements

One missing document... and your shipment's stuck.

Customs authorities are increasingly stringent, and even minor errors can lead to significant delays.

For instance, the EU's recent elimination of the "de minimis" exemption means that all imports, regardless of value, now require full VAT compliance and accurate documentation.

A missing certificate of origin or an incorrect packing list can result in customs holds, inspection fees, and storage charges.

How to Overcome

1. Standardize Your Process: Create a checklist for every shipment: invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, export license (if needed), etc.
2. Pre-Validate Forms: Double-check everything before submission — especially product descriptions, HS codes, and declared value.
3. Digitize and Archive: Store documents in a cloud system that’s easy to access and search during audits or re-shipments.
4. Train Staff on Common Errors: Most document issues come from avoidable mistakes — train your team on the most common slip-ups to prevent delays.

9. Cargo Damage, Theft, or Loss

Every transit point is a risk. With goods passing through multiple hands and locations, the chances of damage, theft, or loss increase.

While insurance can mitigate financial losses, the claims process is often lengthy, and it doesn't restore customer trust.

Recent reports highlight a surge in cargo thefts, especially in high-demand sectors like electronics and pharmaceuticals.

How to Overcome

1. Use Tamper-Evident Packaging: Secure, traceable packaging helps protect goods and signal any unauthorized access during transit.
2. Work with Trusted Carriers: Choose shipping providers known for reliability and safety — even if it costs a bit more.
3. Insure High-Value Shipments: Always purchase insurance for fragile or expensive items — and make sure the policy covers international transit.
4. Track at Key Checkpoints: Monitor shipment status at every transfer point to catch problems early and take action quickly.

10. Lack of End-to-End Shipment Visibility

If you can't see it, you can't manage it.

In today's complex logistics landscape, shipments often involve multiple carriers and transit points, making it challenging to maintain real-time visibility.

Without comprehensive tracking, delays, damages, or customs issues can go unnoticed until it's too late. Platforms like Carriyo offer integrated tracking solutions, consolidating data from various carriers into a single dashboard.

How to Overcome

1. Use Integrated Tracking Platforms: Don’t rely on siloed carrier portals. Use a centralized tracking system like Carriyo Track to sync all your carriers into a single, real-time view. It’s especially useful for teams managing high-volume or multi-region fulfillment.
2. Set Automated Alerts: With Carriyo’s Customer Engagement Platform, you can trigger real-time alerts for exceptions like delays, delivery failures, or route deviations — both for internal ops and customer notifications.
3. Share Updates with Customers: Keep customers in the loop with branded tracking pages, SMS, or email notifications. Carriyo lets you control the post-purchase experience, reducing support tickets and boosting trust at the same time.
4. Analyze Trends Post-Delivery: Use Carriyo’s Reports & Analytics to identify delivery issues by carrier, region, or fulfillment method. These insights help you fine-tune carrier mix, optimize shipping zones, and preempt problems before they repeat.

→ For deeper performance insights, Last-Mile Intelligence measures how your delivery partners are performing across the final mile — so you know who’s keeping up... and who’s falling short.

FAQs

What is the difference between DDP and DAP shipping terms?

DDP puts all duties and clearance on the seller, while DAP shifts that responsibility to the buyer. With our shipping automation, we help you manage DDP flows more efficiently and keep customers informed along the way.

How do international returns work and what challenges should I expect?

Returns involve reverse customs and country-specific compliance — and if not handled properly, they can create friction. Our returns platform helps automate and simplify international returns, end to end.

Can I reduce customs duties on my international shipments?

You can, through trade agreements like GSP or FTAs — but it depends on using the right documentation and HS codes. Our integration tools ensure your data stays clean and consistent to support duty reductions.

What are Incoterms and why do they matter in international shipping?

Incoterms define who’s responsible for what during shipping — misaligned terms often lead to delays or unexpected costs. We help you set up your shipping and fulfillment workflows to match your chosen Incoterms.

How do peak seasons affect international shipping?

Rates go up, delays get longer, and capacity gets tight. We help you plan around peak periods using automated shipping workflows and real-time carrier performance data.

Conclusion

We know international shipping can feel overwhelming — navigating tariffs and paperwork, managing last-mile issues across borders. If you’ve made it this far, we hope this guide gave you the clarity and direction you need to move forward confidently.

If you’re just getting started or optimizing an existing operation, we’re here to support your journey. You can explore how we simplify global logistics through shipping automation, streamline your carrier management, or improve last-mile performance — all with your customer’s experience in mind.

If you're in eCommerce, retail, or handling logistics as a 3PL or enterprise team, we’ve built solutions specifically for you. We also work closely with small businesses looking to scale their international reach.

Feel free to reach out to us if you’d like to talk through your current setup, or dive deeper into best practices over on our blog. And if you’d like to explore everything we offer in one place, you can always start at our homepage.

Whatever your next step is — best of luck, and we’ll be right here if you need us.