International express delivery refers to the express and logistics services carried out between two or more countries (or regions). The business of delivering letters, commercial documents, and goods from one country (or region) to another is a way of transporting express goods through border ports and customs between countries. After an international express item reaches the destination country, it needs to be transshipped again in that country before it can be delivered to the final destination.

Characteristics of International Express Delivery

In general, a very important characteristic of international express delivery is the differences in the express delivery environments of various countries, especially the differences in the soft environments of express delivery. The different laws applicable to logistics in different countries make international express delivery far more complicated than domestic logistics within a single country, and may even hinder international express delivery. The different levels of economic and technological development in different countries can lead to international express delivery being supported by different technological conditions, and in some fields, certain technologies may not be applicable at all, forcing the international express delivery system to decline. Different standards in different countries also pose difficulties in achieving international “convergence”, making it difficult to establish an international express delivery system. The customs and cultures of different countries also place great restrictions on international express delivery.

International express delivery transportation is transportation between countries and regions. Compared with domestic cargo transportation, it has the following main characteristics:

(1) International express delivery transportation involves international relations and is a very policy-oriented foreign-related activity. International express delivery transportation is an integral part of international trade. In the process of organizing the transportation of goods, it is often necessary to have extensive direct or indirect business contacts with foreign countries. These contacts are not only economic but also often involve international relations. Political issues are a very policy-oriented foreign-related activity. Therefore, international express delivery transportation is not only an economic activity but also an important foreign affairs activity. This requires us not only to handle various businesses from an economic perspective but also to have a sense of policy and conduct international transportation business in accordance with the requirements of China’s foreign policy.

(2) International express delivery transportation is long-distance transportation with many intermediate links. International express delivery transportation is transportation between countries and between countries and regions. Generally speaking, the transportation distance is relatively long. It often requires the use of multiple means of transportation. Through multiple loading and unloading operations, it has to go through many intermediate links, such as transshipment and changes in the mode of transportation. It passes through different regions and countries and needs to adapt to the different laws and regulations of each country. If there is a problem in any link, it will affect the entire transportation process. This requires us to organize all the links and keep them closely connected to avoid disconnection in a certain link and cause losses to the transportation.

(3) International express delivery transportation has a wide range of involvements and complex and changeable situations. International express delivery transportation involves multiple domestic and foreign departments and requires dealing with cargo owners, transportation companies, commodity inspection institutions, insurance companies, banks or other financial institutions, customs, ports, and various intermediary institutions in different countries and regions. At the same time, due to the differences in laws and policies, trade, transportation, and business management, financial and monetary systems, as well as changes in political, economic, and natural conditions in different countries and regions, they will have a greater impact on international express delivery.

(4) International express delivery transportation has a strong sense of timeliness. Timely shipment of import and export goods and prompt delivery of the goods to the destination are of great significance for fulfilling import and export trade contracts, meeting the needs of the commodity competition market, improving market competitiveness, and timely settlement of foreign exchange. Especially for some perishable goods, seasonal goods, and goods with strong sensitivity, rapid transportation is required, and the supply needs to be organized in a timely manner, which is conducive to improving the competitiveness of export commodities and to consolidating and expanding the sales market. Therefore, international express delivery transportation must strengthen the sense of time, strive for time and speed, and win with speed.

(5) International express delivery transportation has relatively high risks. Due to the many links, long transportation distance, wide geographical coverage, complex and changeable situations, and strong timeliness in international express delivery transportation, changes in the international situation along the transportation route, social unrest, the occurrence of various natural disasters and accidents, as well as wars, blockades, embargoes, or pirate activities, etc., may directly or indirectly affect international express delivery transportation, resulting in serious consequences. Therefore, the risks of international express delivery transportation are relatively high. In order to transfer the risk losses during the transportation process, various import and export goods and means of transportation need to be insured for transportation.

(6) International express delivery transportation is relatively slower than commercial express delivery. The information on the query website lags behind, the number of accessible countries is relatively small. Once there is a problem, the query can only be made in writing, and it takes a long time.

Xiany 益 International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. specializes in international logistics services such as sea freight, air freight international cargo transportation, freight forwarding, and cross-border e-commerce small packages. It provides customers at home and abroad with one-stop cross-border logistics services including cargo collection, booking, consignment, warehousing, loading and unloading, packaging, customs declaration and inspection, insurance, customs clearance and delivery. Its advantageous logistics dedicated line services include door-to-door, customs clearance included, double customs clearance for both ends, and cash on delivery services for logistics dedicated lines to the Middle East, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Kuwait, Iraq, India, and Pakistan.