When you are moving goods across borders, delays don’t just slow a parcel down; they disrupt plans, frustrate customers and put pressure on your team. International deliveries can feel more unpredictable than local deliveries, but many of the problems that cause hold‑ups are actually avoidable with the right approach.
With proper preparation, accurate paperwork and the help of a reliable international courier, you can remove the risks of shipping overseas and ensure the journey is hassle-free. Whether you’re expanding into new markets or trying to improve current delivery methods, some attention to detail can eliminate nasty surprises and improve confidence every time you ship.
Why International Delays Happen
Unlike local shipments, international parcels have to go through several hands, systems and borders before they reach their final destination. At each stage, missing information or minor errors can cause a hold‑up. Fortunately, many delays are avoidable.
Customs Issues
Problems at customs are among the biggest causes of delays in cross‑border deliveries. Incomplete or inaccurate invoices, misclassified goods, and missing ID details are all common causes of customs holds. Peak-season congestion, random inspections, or changes in local regulations can also delay shipments. Even fully compliant parcels may be delayed if ports or airports are under pressure.
Documentation Errors
Incorrect or inconsistent paperwork is a common cause of delays for international shipping. Typical problems include missing invoices, packing lists that don’t match the goods, or waybills that differ from customs forms. If the declared value, product descriptions, or HS codes don’t align across documents, customs officials are likely to stop the shipment for investigation, which can add days to the transit time.
Address and Labelling Problems
Simple address errors can slow down otherwise well‑planned international courier services. Incomplete postcodes, outdated delivery details, or using a format that doesn’t match local standards can all cause delays. Unclear, damaged, or duplicate labels can also lead to misrouting, manual checks, and even a return to sender if the parcel can’t be matched to the correct destination.
Packaging, Contents and Restrictions
Poor or inadequate packaging may lead to damage in transit, requiring repacking, extra handling, or complete disposal of goods, all of which cause delays. Certain products are also restricted or controlled in some countries. If these items aren’t declared correctly or the packaging doesn’t meet safety or hazardous goods rules, shipments can be held while local authorities get some clarification.
Operational and Transport Factors
Even when the paperwork is correct, external factors can still disrupt next day international delivery plans. Bad weather, labour shortages, and congestion at ports or airports all affect schedules. Missed connections between flights or trucks can also push deliveries back by a day or more, especially on routes with limited departures.
Failed Delivery Attempts
Not all delays happen in transit. If no one is available to receive the parcel or the access instructions are unclear, the courier may not be able to complete delivery on the first attempt. In many cases, another visit can’t be scheduled until the next working day, so a missed delivery can easily turn a next day delivery into a longer wait. In worst-case scenarios, multiple failed delivery attempts can result in shipments being returned to the sender.
Practical Steps to Reduce Risks
There are many simple steps you can take to reduce delay risk across international shipments. The aim is to remove uncertainty before parcels reach the border or the final delivery point.
Get the Paperwork Right
Careful preparation is the most effective way to prevent customs‑related delays. Make sure all invoices are completed correctly, with accurate product descriptions, values, currency, and full shipper details. Check that HS codes, quantities and values match across all documents, including the waybill and packing list.
Using standard templates and double‑checking each field can significantly reduce the risk of errors and last‑minute queries at customs.
Confirm Customs Rules
Before booking international courier services, check whether your goods are subject to any special controls, licences, or restrictions in the destination country. This is especially important for chemicals, electronics, medical items and high‑value products. Research local tax and duty thresholds as well, and decide in advance who will be responsible for them.
Use clear terms in your quotes and order confirmations to avoid border disputes and reduce the risk of shipments being held while authorities seek clarification.
Check Addresses
Confirm your customer’s addresses and contact details before dispatch, including their phone number and email address. Even small errors in postcodes, building numbers or contact names can lead to avoidable delays, failed deliveries or even returns.
Where possible, follow local address formats and include any access notes or security instructions that will help drivers complete the delivery on the first attempt.
Label Clearly
Use clear, durable labels and ensure they match your documents. The same names, addresses, references, and barcodes should be on the label, the invoice, and any customs forms. Fix labels securely to the packaging and avoid placing tape over barcodes.
If you need to include extra paperwork, use a documents wallet on the same side as the main label so everything can be scanned and checked quickly.
Package for the Journey
Pack goods securely in line with their weight, fragility, and any special handling or temperature requirements. Good internal cushioning, sturdy outer boxes and clear orientation labels help reduce damage in transit.
If you are shipping items that require special handling or are subject to restrictions, make sure packaging and labelling meet the relevant safety or hazardous goods rules. This reduces the risk of inspections, repacking or refusal at borders.
Work with a Courier Partner
Share as much information as possible upfront, including parcel details, values, and delivery needs. An experienced courier partner can then help you reach customers worldwide. They can flag potential issues early, suggest better routing options, and recommend the best international delivery service for your deadline.
If you have regular international deliveries, working with a trusted courier can make all the difference. Their knowledgeable team can take the pressure off your shoulders and ensure you get the most reliable, cost-effective shipping method for your schedule and deadlines.
Plan for Peak Periods
Transit times often change during peak trading times and festive seasons when customs offices and delivery hubs are at their busiest. Allow extra time for shipments to get from A to B to avoid issues with customer satisfaction, go‑live dates, events, and product launches.
Work with your courier to identify high‑risk windows on your key routes and explore alternative options where timing is critical. Early booking also helps secure capacity on your preferred next day international delivery options.
Monitor Tracking
Monitor tracking information so any issues can be investigated quickly with your courier. Being proactive often makes the difference between a short delay and a failed delivery.
Set internal alerts for high‑value or time‑critical shipments so your team can step in if status updates stop moving. Fast responses to queries from customs or the local delivery depot help keep your consignment on track and your customers informed.
Why Choose Same Day Dispatch Services
At Same Day Dispatch Services, we specialise in reliable UK and international deliveries, enabling us to meet the needs of a vast range of businesses. Whether you’re sending a parcel delivery to Europe or an urgent document to China, we have the expertise required to help. As an independent, family‑run business, we pride ourselves on providing a hands-on, personal service, and you can have peace of mind throughout the delivery process.
If you’re looking for international courier services that help you minimise delays, protect customer relationships and support business growth, speak to our team today. We will be happy to provide you with more information about the standard, bespoke, and on-board courier services we offer and answer any questions you may have.