TUNL is helping hundreds of South African businesses “unlock exports”, making international shipping affordable, transparent and simple. They are dedicated to providing export services to businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re a small start-up or an established enterprise, they have the tools and resources you need to navigate the complexities of global trade with ease.
How did you get started?
Matthew and I founded TUNL in 2022. In our previous ventures, we both suffered from the limited and expensive courier options available to businesses in South Africa. After arranging interviews with approximately 20 South African businesses and researching the technology-enabled express options that existed in other markets, we realized there was a huge need and opportunity for an enabler like TUNL and got to work.
What advice do you have for new exporters?
We’ve noticed that first-time international shippers often make similar mistakes or have similar knowledge gaps. We think the following information is essential to know before shipping your first package overseas.
volume pricing
Volumetric pricing takes into account not only weight but also the space occupied by the packaging. This means that lighter packaging that takes up more space may cost more than heavier packaging that takes up less space.
Ensure accurate measurements and weight of packages
One of the most important steps when preparing to ship items internationally is accurately measuring your package.
Understand HS codes and write effective customs descriptions
HS code or Harmonized System code plays a key role in customs procedures. These are international codes used to classify products for customs purposes. TUNL’s system uses AI to help you find the correct code and provide a confidence score. However, it is your responsibility to read the instructions returned by the customs manual and ensure that they accurately describe what you are sending.
A correctly written customs description is essential to help our system find the correct HS code.
A well-written customs description includes:
- what is the product
- What is the product made of?
- what is it used for
Do you think the above content is too much to accept? Don’t worry, our platform is working hard to assist and remind shippers of the above matters. Additionally, we offer a complete Getting Started Guide here There are some more details and some examples.
Advice for growing up? How to increase your chances of international sales conversion?
When it comes to logistics, the most important thing to remember when trying to convert and grow overseas customers is to make sure you set expectations for cost and delivery times early on, and offer your customers some options.
When offering shipping options to international customers, please ensure:
- Provide affordable shipping
- Provide your customers with multiple shipping options
- Make sure estimated delivery times are clearly displayed
- If duties and taxes apply, make sure these are transparent and recipients know up front what they should pay
Once the customer accepts and the goods are on their way:
- Provide tracking number and page
- Ensure timely handling of exceptions
- Once the package is delivered, please contact the recipient to ensure they are satisfied with the product and delivery experience
Fortunately, when you book freight with TUNL, our platform and team handle this automatically. Visit our website to get an instant quote, access valuable information, or sign up to start shipping today.
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.