Customs & Compliance
View topicHow to write a commercial invoice that clears customs the first time
The commercial invoice is the document customs actually reads. Get these fields right and most clearance delays never happen.
HS codes: what they are and how to find the right one
Your HS code sets your duty rate, triggers licence checks, and drives trade statistics. Here is how the system is built and how to classify goods correctly.
What actually happens when your shipment clears customs
Between landing and release, an import goes through declaration, risk assessment, possible inspection and duty payment. Here is each stage — and what causes holds.
Shipping Guides
View topicAir freight or sea freight? How to choose for each shipment
Air is fast and predictable; sea is cheap and built for volume. The right choice depends on five factors — and often the answer is both.
Dimensional weight: why a light box can cost more to ship
Carriers charge for space as well as weight. Here is how volumetric weight is calculated, worked through with real numbers — and how to reduce it.
Dangerous goods by air: the nine hazard classes, and the everyday items in them
Perfume, lithium batteries, paint and aerosols are all regulated dangerous goods. Here is how classification works and what it means for your shipment.
What each tracking status actually means — and when to worry
"In transit" for four days. "Exception." "Held at customs." A plain-language guide to tracking statuses, and which ones need you to act.